Vitaly Yurchuk, call sign "Old". 43. "Why that handle? So I have it since 2001, still laughing -- quite a young man. -- Then in the 13th battalion of the 95th brigade began hiring contractors. I formed the division was the most senior. And so it went -- "Old" Yes "Old".

About this on his page in Facebook wrote the Cyborgs-2015 - art project about the heroes of our time.

Right after the New year he returned to his native Zhitomir, has served more years in the most dangerous places of the ATO. And after all could and not to fight. Since 2010 he is a pensioner. But the war that erupted in the home country, forced him to return to the team.

- Until August I was not able to mobilize, says Vitaly. -- And in other departments did not want to go. If fight, then with your. August 1 finally I called. 12 and I was already in Slavyansk. The 19th was my first battle out. And then we came under "Grad" and "Tornadoes"... In the days of the brigade took Granite, almost reached Terminologi. Died a year ago from Kiev Kostya Nepop Val trucks, URAL spare parts, while the first Armored personnel carrier... Trucks were shot and burned. The drivers fled into the corn. This "sharade" came separa.Then sent me with the soldiers -- pull drivers. Not sure how he screamed his head off to one of them. While the name did not name, he did not. If not guessed to do that, he would be Khan... the day we have one fighter was killed and three were wounded.

Myself "Old" by the time the war in Ukraine has already had combat experience. Vaughn served in the army, remained extended.

-- I immediately got into the Western group of forces in Germany, says Vitaly. -- Served near Magdeburg. Then in my career were missions in Africa, in Sierra-Leone, Iraq, Kosovo. Business engaged in Iraq. There were mortar attacks, and combat missions. But Kosovo is the resort. Beautiful scenery, mountains. There good right now, our guys send to rehabilitation.

Vitaly Yurchuk knows firsthand what defence of the Donetsk airport. The "cyborg" does not name himself.

-- I was in port from 10 to 22 October 2014, says "Old". -- There it was clear who is who. It was important to stand up for each other. Otherwise all would have perished.

Photo By Sergei Loiko

- Who impressed you there?

-- American photographer Sergey Loyko. He was at the airport just in time for my rotation. (http://slavaukraine.net/en/news/latest-news/3463-the-book-airport-by-sergei-loiko-in-the-spring-will-be-released-in-poland-and-estonia-the-fourth-edition-of-the-book-will-be-in-ukraine-butenko.html) I was terrified, seeing as he goes back towards the fire to take pictures. Each time thought: "the Tower he is not at all". Then he met with "Rahman". Not once have I been covering for him, not just me -- it.

The situation with the enemy sniper Vitaliy describes as footage from the American fighter:

-- I figured out the sniper. "Rahman" took "bumblebee" and my partner and I were on the machine gun. Were covered both to "Rahman" after shots of the "Bumblebee" could hide in the building.

-- Managed to neutralize the sniper?

Like -- yeah. But there immediately appeared the new. Then I came to the conclusion about the "Rahman" -- a normal man. And this was confirmed when I left the airport. Under the wheels of our APC got the plate meter size per meter -- the basis for a lamppost. She us back. And we still got lost a little... In General, returned to the place of unloading outside the terminal. I asked to get soldiers to help pull out the plate. No one came out, except for "Rahman". We both had the plate removed.

Injured "Star" was in the plant on 21 may 2015. During the shelling of the positions of the ACOG splinters "flew" up the Sergeant major.

-- The doctors cut out the metal and a few days the wound was not stitched up so you can go out with pus and "dust" metal -- continues Vitaly. -- I went to them for treatment. Then sewed up. Normally all healed up.

Why are you not discharged in an hour, and stayed in the battalion?

-- In company with my care were only two officers, one of whom -- a very young Lieutenant after a military Institute. He had a little bit of experience to gain. Therefore, we battalion commander Pavel Ivanovich Replacem agreed that I will remain in the battalion until the New year. But on 5 January of this year I serve in the training center as an instructor in fire training.

-- Tired of war?

-- I don't. The family cheered. I have two daughters. The eldest 22 years old. 10 years younger. There is already a grandson. It will be three years. Frankly, he was bored most of all. Now I have signed a contract under which I will serve until the end of the special period. All wars end sooner or later world. But we will show jordt, to show teeth. But I get the impression that everything goes to the fact that the East of Ukraine want to give.

Soldier of the 5th squadron with Callsign "Patriot" says of "Old", "you Know what the real commander? This is when I leave, he calls you to go along on posts to say goodbye to the boys. And here you are, standing next to him , he speaks the words and you in my throat lump, and the tears themselves run Creek. Early in the morning, at the time of departure of the "Old" I was on duty, heard the sound of the engine leaving the car, and on the radio each took turns saying, "good luck "Old", thank you, that was with us!" And all this happens under the anthem of Ukraine the country, which the commander gave his more than a year did not spare health and strength! I wish all the soldiers and commanders of such units! Thrice glory to you "Old", my respect and honor!"

Violetta Kirtoka

photo by Roman Nikolayev

Source: «Кіборги - 2015» / Cyborgs - 2015

МБФ "СЛАВА УКРАЇНІ" / ICF "GLORY TO UKRAINE" / FIB "GLOIRE À L'UKRAINE"