Among the outstanding examples of military valour and courage, which are the Ukrainians in the war with Russia and writes about "Tsenzor.net", defense Saur-Grave occupies a special place. This is one of the most desperate of operations conducted by the Armed forces of Ukraine.

Editor-in-chief Tsenzor.net" Yury Butusov writes on Facebook about unknown heroes of the war for the independence of Ukraine.

Height 277 Saur-Grave became famous during the Second world war - it was the key position of the German defense on the Mius-front", when the storm died in the full composition of several Soviet divisions. Height has retained its strategic importance during the Russian-Ukrainian war. Direct review in clear weather up to 40 kilometers, and the dust from the movement of military columns allow you to spot enemies at a greater distance. It was after classes Saur-Grave and equipment there is a lookout Russian artillery spotters were able to effectively block all movement on the roads and cut off from supply 24th, 72-th mechanized and 79 airmobile brigade in the sector "D".

The withdrawal was possible only in case of capture Saur-Grave. The height was of strategic importance for the whole situation in the border sector of the front, and the best units of the Russian and Caucasian mercenaries "DND" were thrown on the defensive. They acted under strong supporting fire of the Russian artillery, which beat with impunity on our troops from the territory of the Russian Federation - the height is in the affected area. The height of the grounds of the Russian defense - Russian fighters were patrolling along the border, and on July 24 was shot down over Saur-Grave two Ukrainian su-25.

To ensure capture of the heights of the Ukrainian command for the first time in the war used the most powerful tool of fire destruction adopted by the APU - July 28 height was hit by two operational-tactical missiles "Tochka-U" 19th rocket brigade.

Units of the 51st mechanized, 25th airborne and 95th airmobile brigades July 28, tied the battles to capture the height, but only on August 3, finally completely repelled the height of the Russian mercenaries. The enemy fought for height desperately, and effort spared.

However, to keep the height was extremely difficult. At the top of the mountain was only a few small shelters. While the Russian artillery was led by the shelling of the height of the sighting using drones beat on the cover. The Ukrainian division occupied the mountain, but to be kept under heavy shelling was incredibly hard. The village of Petrovskoe at the foot of the Saur-Grave was occupied rental units, but the mountain itself repeatedly left - continuous heavy fire of the Russian artillery was interspersed with attacks of the troops of the Russian and Caucasian mercenaries. Russian tanks, snipers, RPGs beaten direct fire.

But the command of the anti-terrorist operation was decided to keep the height of the fact that the Russian columns on the southern front were in sight of the observers with Saur-Grave, and to inflict fire damage was possible only if the node is in our hands.

The commander of the anti-terrorist operation Victor Murzenko decided: height to take control at any cost. To ensure constant observation and adjustment of artillery fire by exploding Russian convoys in the border area. To perform this task needed an extraordinary commander, who will survive, who will be able to motivate the soldiers and to organize the defense and adjustment of fire in life-threatening conditions, in the great superiority of the enemy in fire vehicles. And personally, Mourzenko decided to send Saur-Grave of the commander, who was in his headquarters and that he absolutely trusted.
This man was a Colonel Igor Gordiychuk.

Participated in many military operations at the front was known to many in the ATO as Callsign "Twilight".
I talked with his colleagues and comrades, read some of the materials of his biography and combat work.

Gordiychuk Igor Vladimirovich was born November 12, 1972 in the village Zaliznytsa Koretsky district of Rivne region.
Education:
Kiev Institute of Land forces.
National Academy of defence of Ukraine - Department training officers tactical level (graduated with gold medal).
College U.S. army in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, specialty "management of military units and formations".
Fluent in foreign languages: English, German, Polish. Graduated from the English language course for military personnel in the armed forces of Canada to STANAG 6001.

Stage military career:
From the commander of the mechanized platoon to simcommander tank regiment. But his real vocation steel troops of the special forces, where he got transferred.
Became Deputy commander of the brigade of special purpose in Izyaslav.
Commander, created on the basis of the brigade of the 8th regiment of special purpose - one of the best parts of the armed forces of Ukraine.
In may - December 2010 Colonel Gordiychuk was on a business trip to the international contingent in Afghanistan.
First Deputy head of the National defence Academy.
The head of the Department of military cooperation and peacekeeping operations of the General staff.
In April 2014 was assigned to the command centre of the Ministry of defence.
He took an active part in many military operations of the Ukrainian special forces during anti-terrorist operations. Personally led troops spetsnaz, performing in-depth exploration far beyond the front line.
After receiving the quest from commander ATO, Gordiychuk did not hesitate, and immediately began preparing for the accomplishment of the mission. Time was short. Forces too.

One of the friends Gordiychuk, the respected commander of the special forces, Colonel K. said: "it is Difficult to find words enough to evaluate the Gordiychuk and his group. Igor knew perfectly well that it is a one way ticket. And likely not to return to this job much more than chances to survive. There was a deadly risk. But he as a military man understood the key value Saur-Grave, and knew that this order to be performed. "Twilight" came the order to keep the defense Saur-Grave at any price."

August 12 scouts of Gordiychuk in 14 members of the special operations group "Crimea" broke on Saur-Grave, took control of the Observatory at the top, and began to perform combat tasks - adjustment of artillery fire.
As noted by one of our senior Ukrainian commanders P.: "the Work of Gordiychuk was successful and had a great influence on the whole situation on the southern flank of the front. On the detected columns of military vehicles, which illegally invaded the territory of Ukraine, was repeatedly beaten by the artillery, and rocket volley fire, Tornado and operational-tactical missile complexes "Tochka-U". The effectiveness of shock intelligence was rated very highly. We have not been in the area of drones, and the Russian air defense was not allowed to apply aviation. Group action of Gordiychuk replaced squadron reconnaissance planes. But our planes were shot down - but the Gordiychuk with Saur-Grave knock nobody managed".

The enemy instantly appreciated emerging threat. For the destruction of the Ukrainian squad were involved in large forces of the Russian artillery and detachments of the Russian mercenaries with armored vehicles.
Constant heavy Artelecom enemy was out of order communication equipment "Shroud". Gordiychuk continued adjustment of fire by phone. The connection worked very badly, but at some points of the mountain you can pass data through normal mobile phone.

A small detachment of Ukrainian troops - consolidated battalion tactical group of the 51st mechanized brigade number as usual Rota took Petrovskoye village at the foot of the Saur-Grave, but their forces were sufficient only for defense and shield machines supplies, which sometimes broke through at Saur-Grave. In Petrovsky was the source of water.

A group of Gordiychuk was under constant heavy fire of artillery, and almost every day the enemy infantry stormed the top.
Shelter has saved lives, but close gaps fighters were injured and especially strong contusion, bringing people down. Gordiychuk was wounded, but the position was not thrown, only sometimes he was off in the dugout, but then recovered.
Afternoon storms are sometimes affected with artillery support, but often only with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. The mercenaries took six attempts to capture Saur-Grave at night. Defenders of the top withstood many battles at close range. Thanks to well-organized defense and the level of individual preparation defenders sustained minimal losses.

One of the colleagues of the Gordiychuk Colonel Century, recalls: "We knew how desperate the situation was for Saur-Grave. Gordiychuk begged us only ammunition and tablets for headache - because under the constant bombardment of artillery all defenders received various degrees of injuries. It was incredible. On 12 August a detachment of Gordiychuk almost without sleep continuously reflected assaults or was shelled by heavy artillery".
on 18 August, it became obvious that the limit of human capabilities is even in these iron men. Fighters on Saur-Grave was in need of reinforcements, at least to some sleep and relax. The goal is to develop a help Saur-Grave received a staff officer of a highly mobile landing troops Colonel Peter Newton. "Tsenzor.net" interviewed Potekhina, put it soon in full. The situation worsened - a small group of Ukrainian troops in Petrovsky and at a height of 277 from the nearest Ukrainian positions by the time separated more than 30 kilometers of territory controlled by subversive groups of the enemy. The situation in the sector "D" has long gone out of control command ATO, the enemy had in the sector, no less forces and firepower.

By that time the situation in the sector "D" is seriously deteriorated. In the sector for the conduct of hostilities and the protection of borders on the front 100 kilometers remained somewhat weak infantry and artillery units, with a total population of less than a thousand soldiers, including logisticians, communications and repairers. Most of the roads and the nodes of the communications were not controlled. Saur-Grave remained the main arena battle - loss of height deprived the Ukrainian command, information about the situation in the sector and possible fire exposure. While Saur-Grave was in our hands, the maneuver of the enemy in the border area was in prison.
Potekhin led on Saur-Mogila group of 8 soldiers of the 25th airborne brigade. With him to help Gordiychuk went a group of 17 volunteers, scouts from the 4th company of the 42nd battalion of the territorial defence of Kirovograd region under the command of Colonel Alexander Melnichenko - call "Falcon". Potekhin carried new communications equipment. And Melnichenko and Potekhin knew that they were going back to where there is almost no chance of return. Group "Falcon" consisted of volunteers, which command did not even have time to incorporate the new part - aid "Twilight" was needed immediately, and those who volunteered to go on a deadly mission, went into battle without any papers.

They were joined by a group of artillery spotters. On Saur-Grave went only volunteers who voluntarily help his colleagues took BMP 28th mechanized brigade and armored personnel carriers of the 3rd regiment of the special forces.
Potekhin spent reinforcement on Saur-Grave, and hordiichuk implemented the rotation group "Crimea" is gone. But the Colonel remained on top, and continued to accomplish his mission and to provide information about the enemy.
During the next massive assault on the 19th of August, Colonel Newton was seriously injured, died paratrooper Candela... the Wounded were evacuated. Gordiychuk with Saur-Grave would not leave. Soldiers of the 4th company of the 42nd battalion of the Territorial defence of Kirovograd region under the command of Colonel Alexander Melnichenko - call "Falcon", has helped to keep Saur-Grave - they, too, stood to the end.

Trooper 25th brigade Denis Mishchenko, defending Saur-Mogila, recalls how fought by our soldiers:
"In shelters around the mountains, in the fields around the mountain was a large number of dead bodies of militants killed during the attack on high. In the vicinity of the height was scattered a great number of abandoned their equipment, weapons, ammunition. Under Saur-Grave was a dead zone. The smell is horrible. They could not take us. And for this, the Russian artillery bully us all day. It was hell".
On August 20, after another artillery strike and attack mercenaries bloodless division 51st brigade voluntarily left Peter. Communication equipment on top was again out of order, communication was on the mobile phone. However, the next attack infantry defenders height were repulsed.

From the 20th of August the border area which was already occupied by Russian troops of mercenaries acting with the support of the Russian artillery. Defenders Saur-Grave was completely surrounded by our nearest positions were 40 kilometers. However, the detachment of Ukrainian riot police continued to hold on to.
Sergeant Sergei Stegar of the 25th brigade, which is also fully protected Saur-Grave, says: "Gordiychuk told us: you are airborne, you should stand to the end. The enemy comes, everyone who fights all on the front and rear running some obossavshiesya. We should not count on help - we are obliged to perform their duty. Cool man".

on August 23, the day of Russian troops launched an offensive on the southern front in the sector "D". The 24th in the morning, "Twilight continued transmission of information about the many columns of Russian troops flooded the area Saur-Grave. But over the transferred coordinate our artillery could not strike - she had to move away from the Saur-Grave under the blows of the regular Russian troops.

The 24th was followed by another assault height - again beaten tanks direct fire, a new squad of enemy infantry Caucasian mercenaries, climbed to altitude. And again the assault was reflected in large losses to the enemy.
Permanent massive artillery bombardment Saur-Grave continued Russian troops just covered the height of the shells and rockets.

The soldiers told Gordiychuk that hold the height in such a deep rear of the enemy, without artillery support, it is impractical. But "Twilight" without an order from the commander of the ATO was not going to retreat. And group spetsnaz "Crimea", "Falcon", a group of 25 paratroopers brigade continued to accomplish his mission.
The order to retreat with Saur-Grave received on the evening of the 24th of August. By the time it became clear that Saur-Grave is located in a dense ring - machine of the 3rd regiment of the special forces, which broke to rescue the wounded, was shot by Russian mercenaries in Petrovsky. One wounded Ivan Zhuravlev, was taken prisoner, the rest of the wounded mercenaries killed. Killed "Coach" - Timur Yuldashev, an outstanding Ukrainian patriot from Lugansk.
Night "Twilight" gave the order to retreat with Saur-Grave. Plowed height 277 was left of the Ukrainian soldiers after 12 days of continuous fighting. All these 12 days under the constant fire of the enemy Colonel Gordiychuk not abandoned the position taken, despite the wound in the arm and a concussion.

"Twilight" was leading his group nights. They walked to the nearest positions of Ukrainian troops - it was surrounded at the time the Russian army under the Ilovaisk grouping sector "B" General Chomchai, which took up defensive positions and repulsed all the attacks of the Russian parts.

The scouts managed to secretly pass on the enemy's rear about 60 kilometers and join our troops under Megapoles. Together with all Ukrainian parts they made the breakthrough on 29th August.

Recalls Sergeant Steger:
"We rode in one truck. Gordiychuk was in the driver's cab. We fired quite suddenly, the car was covered with shells and mines. The explosion occurred in the rear wheel drive, vehicle went up in flames. We tumbled out of the burning car, to come to the aid of the Colonel could not fire on the road was incredible density, it was necessary to respond. And the door of the cabin opened, and Gordiychuk himself got out of the car. He dragged himself to us. We picked it up and put a dressing on. The wound was terrible - it was unbelievable that this man himself was moving with such a wound and tried to continue the fight. Large splinter struck the back of overt helmet. The Colonel tried to continue to command a battle, he even tore the bandage. But soon from blood loss he had no strength. Russian paratroopers captured me, Gordiychuk and several fighters. The Colonel was unconscious. We gathered on the field, and the Gordiychuk they threw away and were not allowed to assist him. He said, this will not last long. All day the Colonel was lying himself, without any assistance and care, with one of the bandages, which we immediately left. Then we were away. When I learned that this stunning officer survived, I am so proud of him took! Thanks to him, in these terrible days he was for us an example of courage".

Igor Gordiychuk, who was unconscious, was taken to a hospital in Odessa Mechnikov two days after wounding machine "red cross".

From September 1 - already a month and a half Igor Gordiychuk is in ICU neurosurgical Department. The best Ukrainian neurosurgeons try to put him on his feet. But the condition of the Colonel remains heavy. All these days with him almost constantly is the wife Tatiana, daughter of March...
For the health of "Twilight" to pray.

For the shown courage in battles and heroism, exemplary performance of military duty, Colonel Igor Gordiychuk presented to the highest state award - the title of Hero of Ukraine.
Introduction to the title of Hero of Ukraine supported the defense Minister Valeriy geletey.
However, the awards Department of the presidential Administration decided otherwise.
And by the decree of President of Ukraine from September 8, 2014 Colonel Gordiychuk was awarded the order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky 3rd class.

Igor Gordiychuk fought not for the order. To celebrate his feat on the dignity need not to him - we all need. It's all over Ukraine it is necessary to know and remember the names of the heroes, it is necessary to study how they defended our Homeland. This is a story and a lesson for future generations.

Most of the heroes of the defense Saur-Grave is not presented to any state awards and military ranks.
Therefore, I ask the Ukrainian society to support the requirement for the Commander in chief to approve the submission of the defence Ministry and the General staff for the title of Hero of Ukraine. It will be honestly and fairly. Not petty clerks of the AP can decide who any awards worthy is a matter comrades, commanders and subordinates. This is a matter for each of us.

Yury Butusov

Source: http://censor.net.ua/