The Ukrainian Armed Forces once again surprised the world with its extraordinaryness and courage, when the lieutenant took command of the Ranger battalion in the conditions of a full-scale conflict with the aggressor. His nickname "Bandit" became known not only in Ukrainian military circles, but also among foreign observers who took part in these events.
The first question is probably of interest to all junior officers: do you have majors or lieutenant colonels under your command?
Yes, of course there is. And these are the officers who were under my command when I was the commander of the combined group, and we performed tasks near Avdiivka and Bakhmut. During the battles, we proved that we trust each other and are ready to move forward to victory under my command.
Tell us how such an unusual situation arose, and are there any misunderstandings with those officers who came to you from other units?
Everything turned out quite simply. At the very beginning of the full-scale invasion to join the ranks of my native 80th Airborne Assault Brigade, there were a lot of volunteers, the personnel did not even have time to process the candidates' documents. The guys and I couldn't wait to stand in the personnel line and decided to go to Kyiv, where we later participated in the battles for Bucha, Irpin and Gostomel.
And it turned out that I was chosen as the eldest in our group, and then it went like that. During assignments as part of special units in Donetsk region, in the rank of sergeant, I performed the duties of deputy company commander, and then directly as company commander. Maybe because I always worked side by side with my boys and girls, tried to support them and looked for solutions in sometimes hopeless situations. They trusted me, and this trust was felt by everyone who entered our unit. And now, already in the battalion, a strong backbone has formed in the team, and there has never been a single situation where any of the officers treated me as a commander in a disrespectful or condescending manner.
Your pseudonym is "Bandit". A bit unusual.
Imagine: the beginning of full-scale, I and my closest friends arrive in Kyiv in our own transport, we begin to register in some unit. And here goes such a small group of 5-7 cars, all the boys are handsome, with hatred for the occupier and a little pathos on their faces, black glasses. By the time we were formed into a unit, we had already been dubbed a gang, and I, as the eldest, a Bandit. And so it took root.
By the way, I drove my own Lexus until it crumbled into spare parts from a hard fate, and our pathos disappeared in the very first battle. Life and war taught quickly. But we kept the courage of the gang, probably this helped and supported us morally.
And now, already being a battalion commander, you also quarrel a little? What about breaking the rules?
If we compare it with the army yardstick, then, probably, a little bit like that, because I'm not going against the established rules, but I'm trying to show that there are other ways to solve many issues. I often use the expression "transformation time". I have great respect for volunteers and soldiers who have been faithfully serving our Motherland since 2014, I myself took part in the battles for Luhansk region, but now very important processes are taking place, which at the beginning of the war we could not even think about.
Now, our army is transforming everything it had from the time of the Soviet Union, the acquired experience and the experience of our partners, and we are increasingly moving away from what was imposed on us in those dark times - this kind of humility, old narratives, obstinacy. The main problem in the army has always been that people did not want to look for ways to solve the task, everyone put the responsibility on someone, then on the senior, then on the junior. Now more and more officers, sergeants and soldiers are beginning to understand that they have the right to express themselves, to advise, if they understand better on this or that issue, they can find alternative ways to solve the problem precisely to achieve the result, and not just for the so-called activity.
What would you say to young officers, sergeant corps and soldiers?
Do not be afraid to take the initiative, because the most popular saying in the army is that, they say, the initiative does to the initiator. Now is the time of change, search and introduction of new experience. I would tell the officers not to be afraid to consult with the sergeants and privates, for some of them have seen much more and have tremendous experience. Learn from them, communicate, there are many people nearby with interesting professions and experiences.
To the sergeant corps, I would say this: not so long ago I had the honor of being one of you, and I understand the burden that is placed on your shoulders. Progress, become officers and, of course, train your assistants. Without sergeants, no unit would be able to fight now. It is a bridge between the sovov administration, which in some places is still sitting in some heads, and the youth, who long for change and victory over the occupier. The Soviet authorities created an incredible gap between officers and non-commissioned officers, and now it is thanks to you that this gap is disappearing.
First of all, I would like to wish the soldiers a vacation, and good intelligent commanders, under whom you want to go into battle. You are essentially the only one who keeps our country on the defensive, no matter which unit in which branch of the military. In and are the main defenders of the country.
Recently, an interview with the commander of the "Ranger" regiment was published, where he indicated the need for a Code of Honor. What is it for you, and how do you present it to those who have just mobilized?
To me, the 12 Ranger Rules are an unbreakable law that is not physical, meaning there is no criminal liability or punishment for it. It is primarily about moral responsibility. Each rule is about what kind of atmosphere we want in our military family, about how we want boys and girls to treat each other, about motivation, about the desire to learn and win.
After personnel arrive at our unit, whether mobilized or contracted, from a training center or from another military unit, we first of all try to find in each person what can be useful for the unit, to reveal his skills and abilities, help him find himself, his profession. And, of course, to motivate the serviceman. The Code of Honor is about true military brotherhood.
What would you say to those citizens who do not yet dare to join the ranks of the Armed Forces?
It takes courage to make this decision. Our Ukraine really has an incredible potential of real warriors, but it is really difficult for some to dare due to various reasons. After demobilization, I worked in the rear for a long time, donated to the Armed Forces, and I can express my opinion from the civilian side: first of all, recruiting and informing should work. After all, as it happened a long time ago, we are afraid of what we do not know.
I will say this: boys and girls, choose a division, a profession, master it and become real professionals! We will be glad to see you in our flock! The password for getting to know each other in the battalion is "I do Bandit".
