Unarmed Heroes
Oleh Pasichnyk, a rescuer with Ukraine's State Emergency Service (DSNS) Main Mobile Rescue Center for Rapid Response, has dedicated 29 years to saving lives. Over the course of his career, he has taken part in dozens of operations and hundreds of deployments, rescuing people not only in Ukraine but also abroad, including in Turkey, India, and Poland.
One mission that stands out in his memory involved saving two men whose boat sank in a river during winter.
“I remember my first rescues. Winter. The frost was so bitter it cut through your lungs. Two men ended up on an island—their boat sank, and they were barefoot in the snow. Cries carried across the river… If we had arrived any later, we wouldn’t have made it. I took off my gloves and pulled them onto one man’s feet. We sailed, breaking through ice, returning through a blizzard… Then we had to clear the road, because snow had buried everything. But we got them there. We made it in time,” Oleh recalls.
Oleh Pasichnyk believes his work is about helping others.
“I want to be useful to people. Not to myself—to people. To do great good. Real good,” he says.His colleagues describe him as a 'generator of ideas,' always ready to act in tough situations. “I’ve always been drawn to where it’s hard. Where you need to think, take risks, find a way out,” Oleh shares.
The Importance of Rescue Work
Beyond the rescue operations he has been involved in, his work covers emergencies such as:
- Car accidents
- Floods
- Earthquakes
- Aftermath of shelling
Oleh Pasichnyk emphasizes the significance of his job, stating:
“People often ask me where I get the strength. But I don’t think about it. I just do it. Because I know: if not me, then who?”His decades of experience and dedication make him a true hero in the world of rescuers.
The work of rescuers like Oleh Pasichnyk is critically important given the constant challenges posed by natural disasters and man-made accidents. These professionals not only save lives but also inspire others to practice self-sacrifice and readiness to help in critical moments. The efforts of rescuers in Ukraine highlight the value of a professional approach to emergencies and human commitment, which together form the foundation of public safety.
As rescue operations continue to play a crucial role in saving lives, the dedication of emergency responders is more important than ever. Similar to the efforts of Oleh Pasichnyk, firefighters are also on the front lines, tackling blazes and clearing debris in their quest to protect communities. Discover how these brave individuals are making a difference in our detailed report on the impact of firefighters in emergency situations.