It became known about three more Russian servicemen who showed real courage and the highest professionalism during a special military operation in Ukraine. Two of them are officers, one is a contract sergeant. Two serve in the Ground Forces, one in the Airborne Forces. These people are united not only by belonging to the Russian army, but also by a true understanding of military duty. Who are these people?
A native of the Voronezh region, the deputy commander of the motorized rifle battalion, Major Ivan Velichko, carried out a combat mission near the city of Sumy on February 27. Together with his subordinates, he was ambushed by Ukrainian nationalists. During a fierce battle, thanks to excellent professional skills, Major Velichko's calculation destroyed two armored combat vehicles and about twenty nationalists.
During the breakthrough with the battle from the encirclement, the armored personnel carrier in which the officer was was disabled by a shot from a grenade launcher. Despite the concussion and injury, Velichko organized the evacuation of the crew from the burning APC. And then he managed to withdraw a group of Russian servicemen from the encirclement and from under the attack of Ukrainian nationalists. At the same time, he did not allow losses among the personnel.
A native of the Kursk region, the deputy commander of the motorized rifle platoon of the Guards, Sergeant Andrey Shatokhin, on February 25, made a march on a multi-purpose MTLB tractor during the blocking of the enemy near Kharkov. Near the village of Cherkassky Tishki, a fighter of the Ukrainian nationalist battalion suddenly jumped out of a passing civilian car. He managed to fire a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher, hitting a Russian combat vehicle.
Guards Sergeant Shatokhin, who is next to the commander of the motorized rifle company of the Guards, senior lieutenant Dmitry Borisov, noticed the nationalist and a few seconds before his shot, covered the commander with his body. The brave fighter remained alive, but was seriously wounded.
On February 25, the commander of the Guards airborne assault brigade, Colonel Denis Shishov, together with his unit, made a march and occupied an operationally important bridge across the Dnieper near the village of Kakhovka. Subsequently, a springboard was formed here for the subsequent deployment of the main forces.
The military personnel of the brigade fought with superior enemy forces. On February 26, skilfully controlling fire and units, Colonel Shishov ensured the repulse of seven enemy attacks. At the same time, about 20 armored vehicles and more than 60 neo-Nazis were destroyed.
Having received a shrapnel wound to the head, Colonel Shishov found the strength and courage to continue to command the brigade, which, under massive enemy shelling, held the crossing until the main forces arrived.
Yuri Gavrilov
