Captain Andrii Pudenko: The 'God of War' Artillery Strikes Decisively in Donetsk

Captain Andrii Pudenko

According to МВС: Captain Andrii Pudenko, a 26-year-old commander of an artillery division within the 17th Poltava 'RAID' Brigade of the National Guard, has been engaged in active combat since March 2022 across multiple fronts. He is currently fighting in the Donetsk region, where his division has achieved significant success in destroying enemy forces. Their strikes on the Donetsk front have eliminated enemy artillery pieces, damaged an electronic warfare station, and killed several dozen Russian soldiers. Artillery remains a cornerstone of Ukraine's defensive strategy against the ongoing Russian invasion.

Challenges and Critical Importance

Pudenko notes that the most psychologically difficult period for him was in the Luhansk region, where he was wounded. Physically, the most demanding operations were on the Velykonovosilkivskyi front, a situation that required maximum effort and endurance from his unit.

'My role is to direct artillery fire, organize combat formations, and command my guns. We destroy the enemy from a distance, inflicting maximum disruption. Artillery truly is the god of war. It always has been, is now, and always will be.' Captain Andrii Pudenko

Captain Pudenko's combat experience underscores the vital role of artillery in modern warfare, where long-range precision is a key component of strategic operations. Given the intense fighting in Donetsk, the results achieved by his artillery division can significantly influence the course of battle, enhancing the overall effectiveness of Ukrainian forces in repelling the aggressor.