“The war will end for us when we enter Kuban.” So said a disabled Ukrainian soldier with a missing left arm above the elbow. He is a Ukrainian soldier born in the Cherkasy region, serving as a soldier in the Luhansk region. He is almost two meters tall. He returned from working in Poznań in Poland to defend his native land, where he was born, baptized, married, and baptized his child.

Askold S. Lozynskyj

In Lviv, we met as friends, that is, simply to talk. We agreed on helping his brigade with few words, but with a meaningful look. After all, we have been cooperating for three months. It seems to me that friendship ensues when you understand each other by looking.

Today, this disabled Ukrainian soldier is completing rehabilitation and says he plans to return to the front. He says he feels fine. But, since he is disabled, it is necessary not only to change his military category and role from an infantryman to a sniper, and also to retrain formally. The brigade has already submitted its approval and is waiting for him.

Oleksandr speaks Ukrainian but with some Russian words peppered throughout. Well, I also peppered some Polish and English words.

Enemies and influences on every side. East and West sang together during the Orange Revolution. I have never felt a stronger sense of unity. These phrases that this is my land and I will never forgive them are probably not unique. Ukraine is united even if diverse. Aren’t there many Oleksandrs in the Armed Forces of Ukraine?

Oleksandr for some reason or, so he says, is not afraid of death. He is only thirty-six years old. By my standards he is a kid. He worries only about the fate of his twelve-year-old daughter, also Alexandra by name, and her future life on Ukrainian land.

My interlocutor still has a long way to go. He must complete his rehabilitation and only then can he be retrained before he returns to his brigade. We agreed that he would let us know what our soldiers needed most. And we, for our part, will help and monitor how our soldiers defend Ukraine and marvel at their bravery. We are a nation of heroes.

My conclusion is that we will not give up Ukraine. Our defenders are diverse and yet very similar. I need not be convinced about our role. The whole world is on our side. But the world gives us only funds and weapons. We give blood. Alexander gave his arm for the time being, and only his left. Like many a disabled Ukrainian soldier, he returns to the front.

We agreed that after the war, we would meet on Ukrainian land in the Kuban. Having met Oleksandr, I have no doubt. After all, Kuban is our land. Alexander is not the first and not the last such Ukrainian with such vision. Fortunately, we have many Alexanders. Thank God! Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Alexander!

See you in Kuban!

Click here for more op-eds by Askold S. Lozynskyj at EU Today

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