Unarmed Heroes
Vyacheslav Haisaniuk, a diver-sapper from Cherkasy, resigned from his company just one day before the full-scale invasion, planning to start his own business. However, from the very first days of the war, he decided to join the territorial defense forces. Later, he learned about an opening in a special operations unit of the State Emergency Service. He initially worked as a driver but subsequently completed training and earned qualifications as a diver, sapper, and demolition expert.
Haisaniuk has operated in the waters of the Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, and Cherkasy regions, as well as on land in the Kherson region. His work relies on modern equipment, including underwater and surface drones. As he explains,
“Our boats are equipped with cutting-edge technology: we use both underwater and surface drones. When we locate a hazardous object, we decide how to neutralize it. If it can be done on site, we deploy a remotely controlled drone. If we need to bring it to the surface for transport to a training ground, we use special parachutes.”
Haisaniuk’s team always includes:
- a dive supervisor,
- a working diver,
- a backup and support diver,
- a medic.
He emphasizes:
“Our profession is not for lone wolves. Trust must be absolute. In all this time, there hasn’t been a single situation we couldn’t handle together.”
In the Kherson region, Haisaniuk and his team cleared fields of mines so that farmers could resume their work. “Children would run to the roadside and wave their little hands at us. People offered everything—from help with car repairs to vegetables from their gardens. The moment you stop, someone immediately comes up and asks, ‘Guys, how can we help?’”
Haisaniuk also worries about his family. “I worry about my family, and they worry about me. That’s why coming home from a rotation is always a special moment—flowers for my wife, gifts for my son, meeting my parents. As soon as I’m home, my heart feels warm,” he says, highlighting the importance of staying connected with loved ones while serving.
The story of Vyacheslav Haisaniuk is a testament to the dedication and professionalism that emerge in wartime.
Vyacheslav Haisaniuk stands as a powerful example of how ordinary civilians can transform into heroes under the harsh conditions of war, contributing to public safety. His work not only helps clear dangerous areas but also restores a sense of normalcy for local communities suffering from the conflict’s aftermath. The support he receives from the community during his service underscores the deep appreciation people have for the rescuers and sappers who confront the lingering dangers left by combat operations.