Il padre di Danylo ha combattuto i russi dalla loro invasione nel 2014. Ora è un veterano di guerra a 19 anni. L’opinione di Danylo sul nemico è chiara “siamo noi o loro”

Nineteen-year-old Danylo Todorov was born and raised in Ivano-Frankivsk in a military family—his father is an ATO veteran, and his mother worked at one of the region’s military units. When the full-scale war began, Danylo was 16 years old and studying in the 11th grade. Upon completing his studies in early summer 2024, he signed a five-year contract with the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade.

Danylo admits that his parents found it difficult to accept the news of him becoming a soldier. 

“When I was studying at the military college, they were fine with it. But when I actually joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, they started worrying a lot. Still, they supported me then and continue to support me now,” says the soldier.

**Overcoming Hazing Fears and Learning to Fly Drones**

Initially, Danylo was assigned to engine repair and maintenance. However, seeing his potential, his commanders transferred him to drone operations training.

“When I first joined my platoon, where older and more experienced fighters served, I was afraid there might be hazing. But there was none of that. On the contrary, the experienced guys gave me tips, helped me, supported me, never humiliated or pressured me. In our unit, we live by an unwritten musketeer rule: ‘One for all, and all for one.’ The brotherhood keeps us motivated to improve our skills so we can take down more enemies together.”

Initially, he carried out reconnaissance flights, and soon after, combat missions. Within six months, Danylo progressed from a beginner to an expert drone pilot, largely thanks to the supportive and motivated atmosphere of his unit.

His drone, operating at night, is equipped with a thermal camera to detect enemy movement, even when they try to stay hidden. However, not everything that “glows” on the thermal camera is an enemy—sometimes, it’s an animal. That’s why a drone operator needs sharp eyesight, attentiveness, and keen observational skills.

“It’s important to have quick thinking—the ability to make the right decisions fast in difficult situations. And you have to be stress-resistant. For me, music and something sweet help me unwind,” Danylo adds with a smile.

**He notes that fear and anxiety are a normal part of war.**

“Fear is common in war. But you have to control it. The hardest thing for me was getting used to the constant shelling by enemy artillery. But over time, I adapted. The key is never to lose vigilance.”

On January 14, 2025, Russian forces launched five massive assaults on the positions of the 10th Brigade. Danylo was among those who helped repel the attacks.

“We did everything we could. But honestly, our infantry did an outstanding job. 

Over 50 Russian soldiers were neutralized, more than ten were wounded, and one was captured. Additionally, the enemy suffered significant material losses, including two BMPs, 39 motorcycles, two ATVs, and 16 FPV drones.

**Danylo’s view of the enemy is clear-cut:**

“These are people who want to take my land, my home, and my freedom. They bring death to my fellow Ukrainians and destruction to my country. If I don’t take him out, he’ll take me out,” he says.

[https://versii.if.ua/novunu/stav-veteranom-vijny-v-19-rokiv-yak-edelvejs-danylo-todorov-pikantno-likvidovuye-okupantiv-foto/](https://versii.if.ua/novunu/stav-veteranom-vijny-v-19-rokiv-yak-edelvejs-danylo-todorov-pikantno-likvidovuye-okupantiv-foto/)

May he live satisfied for long.