Fu detto loro che erano troppo vecchi per combattere, così formarono una propria unità per gli over 60: i Lupi della Steppa.

The group Steppe Wolves was formed at the start of the full-scale invasion. It is made up of volunteers who were not accepted into the Armed Forces of Ukraine because of age (60+) or health conditions. The Steppe Wolves have gone from being infantry to mobile artillery operators and now work with small “Grad” systems on the Zaporizhzhia front.

Sixty-eight-year-old Oleksandr Taran, call sign Did (“Grandpa”), is a former fighter of the Donbas volunteer battalion and fought in the 2014 battle for Ilovaisk, where he was wounded. When Russia invaded in 2022 he tried to rejoin the army but was rejected due to age, so together with other veterans he formed a volunteer unit:

“Age in the passport always gets in our way. But we now cooperate with the Armed Forces and the National Guard. Whoever asks us to work – we work with them. We’ve been everywhere from Kherson to Sumy,” says Did.

The Steppe Wolves do not receive state pay; they rely entirely on donations. Did says what drives them is protecting their country:

“Money was never even a question. It’s hard not to be active. Sometimes you just sit for hours waiting for a chance to fire. When we win, then I’ll sit at home with my grandkids.”

Also in the unit is 65-year-old Oleksandr Bezruchko, call sign Ikar, from Poltava region. In civilian life, he ran his own business and developed an aviation camping site. In 2022 he volunteered for the front, fought as an infantryman in Donbas, but was released because he had “reached the maximum age.”

“I was 61 then. I went straight to zero line, stayed in Donbas the whole time. After three months they discharged me for age, even though I was the most motivated in the company, the best marksman…kicked out just for age.”

After that, Ikar searched for a way to keep fighting but no one would take him. He found out about the Steppe Wolves and joined:

“They don’t take retirees into the army – think we’re half-dead. But despite my age, I’m in better shape than many younger guys in combat units.”

Now Ikar works as a gunner on a mini-Grad. 

Both Did and Ikar hoped for amendments to Ukraine’s law on military service that would let people over 60 sign combat contracts – but so far it did not happen. Under current rules, those over 60 can only serve in communications, logistics, medicine, or engineering roles, and final approval depends on unit commanders.

Ikar is disappointed:

“Aren’t there enough people for rear positions? I want to fight – and I can fight. I know I’ll probably be killed, but is my life worth more than the young guys’?”

Just imagine, you are outnumbered. Pinned down by drones. Suddenly a Grandpas voice comes in over comms “got ya back kid” and suddenly five grandpas with a freakin Grad on their Pickup come in and blast the Ruskies away….

Dad’s army!

Welp. Just added them to the list of people to never ever screw with.

Heroes.. all of them!

Old Age and Treachery for the win!


too old. huh?