“Yan” combatte nei punti più caldi. Protegge con cura i disegni di suo figlio di 7 anni e li porta sempre vicino al cuore, anche quando subisce aggressioni

In civilian life, “Yan” had a small business. When he joined the military, he first served as a driver and later became a grenadier.

>“I held an assault rifle for the first time there, I fired it for the first time. Everything started from zero. It was difficult, but my brothers-in-arms guided me.”

Over a year of service, “Yan” went through several of the hottest combat zones. But the hardest, he says, was repelling a Russian assault in Novopil, Zaporizhzhia region, when Russian forces came right up to their position.

>“They hit us with everything they had: artillery, mortars, even a tank.”

“Yan” and three comrades fought back with their rifles. When the situation became critical, they were ready to call fire on themselves.

>“‘Fire on us,’ I said.”

At that point, the soldiers had to abandon their position and spent nearly another day fending off Russian attacks.

>“We knew they were chasing us. We decided to let them come within 10 meters, and then open fire.”

“Yan” and his comrades miraculously survived. However, he suffered a concussion. He says his family helps him keep going.

>“My family is what keeps me going. That’s the only thing that gives me strength.”

At the front, what also protects Yan are the drawings of his 7-year-old son. He has carried them with him through more than one assault.

>“I wrapped them up because I’m always on the move. I don’t want to lose them. They’re always close to my heart. My son’s drawings are my talisman.”

>[**https://suspilne.media/zaporizhzhia/1132328-malunki-sina-mij-oberig-istoria-bijca-na-pozivnij-an-kotrij-divom-viziv-pid-cas-sturmu-na-zaporizkomu-napramku/**](https://suspilne.media/zaporizhzhia/1132328-malunki-sina-mij-oberig-istoria-bijca-na-pozivnij-an-kotrij-divom-viziv-pid-cas-sturmu-na-zaporizkomu-napramku/)