Woman of War E-Book

Анна Шила

• Herausgeber: Glagoslav Distribution (A)
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 395

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Beschreibung

Woman of War is the first attempt to write about the military conflict on the East of our country in the light of women stories. The book contains 25 stories. Each story is based on real-life events narrated by real-life women — paramedics, volunteers, journalists, and servicewomen who have gone to the front line to fight for their Homeland.
The author tells their hard fates, but at the same time, each heroine is a composite character displaying life and emotions of many female warriors. The women are speakers of Ukraine. Their voice is worth hearing and paying heed to.

Leseprobe

Annotation

Woman of War is the first attempt to write about the military conflict on the East of our country in the light of women stories. The book contains 25 stories. Each story is based on real-life events narrated by real-life women — paramedics, volunteers, journalists, and servicewomen who have gone to the front line to fight for their Homeland. The author tells their hard fates, but at the same time, each heroine is a composite character displaying life and emotions of many female warriors. The women are speakers of Ukraine. Their voice is worth hearing and paying heed to.

Woman of War ISBN 9789660384088 Copyright © 2020, Folio Publishing

Anna Shyla

Woman of war

Preface

War ... Woman ... It should seem, these two are incompatible manifestations of human existence. War is often believed to have an unwomanly face. Not really! It does have a woman’s face. In most languages it is conventionally regarded as female. The war and the woman are closely intertwined. This concerns women’s rights in the military environment and the gender policy in the armed forces. It is a pressing, relevant, and highly charged problem on the agenda of the present-day global humanitarian space.

In Ukraine, the relationship between war and women has been counting for centuries. Has anyone studied the history of women in the war? Not yet. None special work has been published. However, this history exists and must be written to be preserved.

In the Trypillian epoch, husbandmen of Rus-Ukraine defended their land, with women firmly holding weapons and bringing to men new spears and swords instead of broken ones. At the time of Kyivan Rus, Duchess Olha led her host in the battles to protect the integrity of the state and the strength of Kyiv from pretensions of feudal dukes. In the era of Hetmanate, there were no women in Zaporozhian Sich. However, they were preparing strategic provisions for the Cossacks. Women played a very important role in World Wars I and II. Then they became a real militaryunit bearing arms against enemies and saving lives of soldiers.

In the Ukrainian-Russian war, the woman has taken combat positions boldly declaring herself a volunteer, a doctor, and a soldier. And here an acute problem of equal rights of women and men in the war arose. They have equal rights to death. Consequently, all other rights must be equalized too.

This book is the first attempt to write a page of the history of Ukrainian women in war. These are reflections about how, at the beginning of the 21st century, Ukrainian hero women are defending the independence and integrity of Ukraine and proving their natural right to be a guardian of their Homeland, on a par with men. This is an important step towards levelling the rights of military men and women soldiers.

The book contains 25 stories. Each of them is based on real-life events and tells about real-life people. Their stories have been written in the process and as a result of communication with the Heroines.

The world has not known this kind of stories. This is the Ukrainian encounter experienced in a womanly way. It is full of tragedy and heroism. Ukraine tells about this experience to the world through women, the fighters for the independence and integrity of Ukraine and the guardians of their land, who are ready to render their life for Ukraine at any moment.

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!

Yana

To secure peace is to prepare for war. To survive war is to be able to provide aid to oneself. To save lives of our warriors is to join the Hospitallers. 

Yana Zinkevych

From an early age she has been standing for the truth and justice. She is intelligent and beautiful. She was amongst the first volunteers who went to the East of Ukraine to defend the independence and territorial integrity of our state, to help Ukrainian servicemen fight the enemy. She is slim and graceful. Calm and cool-headed. Reserved and determined. Responsible and sometimes tough. She wields all kinds of weapons. A combat veteran. The founder and commander of Hospitallers medical battalion of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army. A gifted chieftain with inborn aptitude to leadership. She has survived in spite of severe injuries after a terrible car crash. The girl with a broken life, a split spine, and a dire prognosis of being disabled for the rest of her life. The one who received a doctors’ sentence, “people do not live with such a diagnosis” and “barren for the entire life”. The one who never gives up and believes in miracles. The young mother of a little angel. The one who comes out victor. The one who acts instead of daydreaming. Her name is Yana. She is 22 years old.

From a young age, Yana has been wishing for becoming a doctor. She wants to save people’s lives. While studying in the upper secondary school, the girl was viewing herself as a physician and preparing to enter the university. Unfortunately, it turned out that the knowledge itself was not enough. Yana and her family refused to give a bribe. So, she entered the biological faculty and had to abandon the dream of childhood.

There is an opinion, for any wish to come true, you must let it go. That’s the case of Yana’s dream. Although from the first attempt, Yana has not yet become a doctor, she began to save lives without medical education. As soon as the war in the Eastern Ukraine began, Yana realized she could not sit idle. Nor remain silent. She had to be there, in the field. Everyone is guided by one’s conscience. Yana had no choice but to go to the front line as volunteer. Having passed a shortterm training and adaptation, she started her service at zero positions. Make every effort. Do one’s best. At the front, Yana assumed responsibility to serve as chief of the Medical Service of the Right Sector.

Yana survived her first real clash near the village of Karlivka, Donetsk Oblast. A short battle that took count of casualties. The volunteers did not understand what a hell was going on. There was a true war they had known only from books and movies. The situation was unclear, and death did not wait. As the number of casualties was going up, Yana came to the conclusion she needed to take urgent decisions regarding the organization of medical assistance for the wounded soldiers. Then Yana started her path towards the creation of Hospitallers battalion. She had cared of hundreds people. Wounded, dead. Organization of funerals. The hardest task was to give killed in action notices to their relatives. The emotions were overwhelming, but she shrugged them off as they drew her away from work.

Live each day as if it is your last. Do not waste time on unnecessary and unimportant things. Yana believes and does so. Clear instructions, planned actions, steel nerves, detailed reports, and search for opportunities and money for the sole purpose of saving lives of Ukrainian servicemen.

Platoon, squadron, battalion. More than two and a half thousand lives that have been saved in the three years. Military servicemen, physicians, paramedics, and logistics professionals — more than five hundred people have passed through the Hospitallers battalion. People with big hearts who are risking their own lives for others. Life for the sake of life. Telling about Hospitallers, Yana starts talking louder. She speaks with pride and respect in her voice. People who, at their own will, have arisen for their country cannot but inspire. The so-called Hospitallers’ trainings have long been gaining popularity and fame among the fighters and the civilian population due to professional delivery of knowledge and friendly atmosphere.

“The Hospitallers’ training session of May was completed. Behind, there were lectures, trainings, combat simulations, bruises, a little bit of blood, three teams, a broken finger, faith in one’s own strength, friendship, paramedicine... And what’s ahead is up to the commander Yana. Those trainees who go for their first rotation as assistants to experienced Hospitaller officers are gently called 'kittens'. They are the desperate people who will test their fighting spirit in real war. If this life-course trial is passed successfully, one can think of membership in the Hospitallers family, while the others will take home a useful knowledge and be able to use it in the case of emergency”, Hospitallers members of Ukrainian Volunteer Army report.

The Hospitallers are called guardian angels. They are always busy in the hottest spots of the front. They have left home, family, and comfort for the sake of permanent residence in the battlefield. Instead of living a normal life, they put themselves under a constant danger and bombardments. Instead offriends they have to wrap KIAs (killed in action) in bags for corpses. Why have they done so? They could be sitting in peaceful Kyiv or in any other safe city. They could go to a well-paid business, wake up on alarm ring, and plan weekends. They could take a flight to Vienna for a cup of coffee and feel like European citizens. However, they have not done so. Those who call themselves Hospitallers have other priorities. They have boundless open hearts tooled for mercy. Life according to conscience and realization of the fact that they are doing a really great business are their only benefit.

Morning in Avdiivka started with a massive artillery shelling. Cluster bombs. Formation of new positions. Ruins and destroyed military hardware. The abandoned cemetery in the middle of the ruins of the old life. The war had lasted for several years and come off as shaggy dog story. In peaceful Kyiv, it did not hurt anybody any longer. The Hospitallers were the only wakeful and restless. They continued doing their work every day. Early head checks. Senior officers of groups reported on the situation. Gave overnight reports. They wished to each other all the best, but were ready for the worst. Received routine messages.

“We have a badly injured. Abdominal wound, a fragment in stomach, hemopneumotorex, crushed collarbone. He is very critical. The operation was performed by the chief surgeon of the Ministry of Defense and his ATO counterpart. Afterwards, the Avdiivka doctors sewed up, and we assisted with bandages and treatment of wounds.”

“Tank fire! All get out from there! It does not end! Hmm ... what a bloody hell day...”

“We have one killed in action. He had no chance. He arrived in a state of clinical death, but for almost thirty minutes we were carrying out resuscitation procedures directly in the corridor. A large-caliber bullet punched the armor, even damaged his gun.”

These are the words of those who call themselves Hospitallers.

In war, life and death go beside each other, sometimes holding hands. Every Hospitaller understands this. With each lost life a bit of Hospitallers heart disappears. And with every salvaged wounded soldier, it revives and becomes bigger. Being a Hospitaller is more than being a mere physician or paramedic. Being a Hospitaller means a willingness to help and to save at every moment.

“That’s the way it is done. At the place of warrior death, a cross is mounted. The bodies of heroic fighters have long been resting in the homeland, but their souls are believed to come to help their brothers fight the Russian scum. It is a kind of cemetery among the ruins, the destroyed equipment, and the wreckage of the old life. In order to secure that no one ever forgets the price at which the peace in Ukraine is coming. Those who are not hurt by war, do not read these things, but I want so badly, the memory of the true heroes who perished for us to be eternal, and the respect and gratitude of people to be, at least, sincere. Dead but not forgotten! Glory to Ukraine! “ posted one of the Hospitallers on his page in the social network.

The Hospitallers battalion has been operating on sponsorship fees. The Hospitallers project pipeline includes the training center, military training of soldiers, evacuation and operations directly in the hot spots of ATO, informational coverage of events on the front line, medical support and assistance to battalions, evacuation of wounded, injured, and killed, arrangement of funerals, medical support of evacuees.

Everyone may be trained in the military camp. However, only the chosen ones are able to join the Hospitallers. The training lasts seven days. For these seven days, the trainees live and operate in conditions that are as similar to the combat environment as possible. The trainees have seven days to test themselves to strength of mind and moral courage. War does not forgive any doubts. It requires swift solutions. Mistakes cost lives. Among the trainers and curators there are doctors, paramedics, and combatants. The newly arrived Hospitallers are kindly called “kittens”. The question “Why are all Hospitallers so cool and great?” has become a rhetorical one. Not everyone who has passed training, joins the Hospitallers. However, all trainees receive valuable practical knowledge and experience. And still the Hospitallers are not made, they are born. The training just a push to wake up and to start living their true life. People who join the Hospitallers do this neither for money nor for glory. There are many other places where one can make money and become famous. The Hospitallers follow the call of their heart.

“We gonna go on combat duty at Promka. where, of course, there is hell! Many wounded ...”, “Oh! Yana, send me!”, “Me! I want to be rotated!”, “I am reserving August, I take leave at my own expense,” say Hospitallers.

December 2015 was not a holiday time for Yana. Although Ukraine was going through terrible times, the girl did not expect such a “New-Year gift” from the destiny. The car in which she was sitting turned seven times on the road. Yana got injury that seemed to be fatal. Full spine fracture, broken collarbone, seven fractured ribs, hidden hemorrhages, contusion of internal organs, high blood loss and ... coma.

Ukrainian doctors were the first to fight for Yana’s life. A few days later, she went to an Israeli clinic for treatment. Her relatives, friends, combatants, and Mother-Ukraine were praying for Yana. The prayers have been heard. Yana has passed the test to strength and escaped from tight embrace of death. The girl’s life has been saved but, at the same time, broken forever. The doctors did not withhold the truth from her. Yana heard she unlikely would to be able to walk and to return to full-fledged life.

It turned out that such ordinary things as running in dew and feeling soft green grass with the feet had to be forgotten. The doctors recommended doing rehabilitation exercises, but getting used to life in a wheelchair. Yana learned she would never be able to become a mother. Then she was only twenty years old. The accident split her young life into two halves. The youth had not yet had enough time to see life, as she was bound to a wheelchair. A vivid and smart woman of action was paralyzed and limited in movements. She did not imagine how she would be able to live a sedentary life. After all, before, her life was restless motion.

Immediately upon her return to Ukraine, Yana went to battlefield positions. She was suffering from violent pain all the time. The one who had saved lives and helped others, now had to take care of herself. The pain was so strong that sometimes it was necessary to interrupt a trip for several hours for being on a drip. The fate seemed to persist in testing Yana to strength. However, the woman did not give up and, clenching her teeth, continued to live and work. And then a miracle happened.

One day, Yana learned she ... was pregnant. The news seemed impossible and at the same time was so desirable. Doctors were convinced, Yana would never be able to become a mother, but the fate had other plans. At first, Yana was rejoicing and then took fright. In the course of rehabilitation therapy, she was administering heavy medications that could hurt an unborn baby. Yana had to make a choice either child or therapy. Her mind told, she had to take care of her own life and health. The doctors unanimously stated that pregnancy would kill Yana.

Once again, the woman had to choose life or death. During the war, she often saw how people passed away. Now, it was about her own life and the life of a little soul. There were very few chances that the baby would be born healthy. In addition, if she decided to maintain pregnancy, Yana would have to stop taking analgesics and other medicines. However, to hear the yearned-after “mom” became the main thing for Yana. Day after day, the woman was carrying her child. She did every step as if she was walking upon egg shells. Every day, she underwent medical tests. Unbearable physical suffering was accompanying the expectant mother all the time. Yana did not expect to carry the child till the necessary term as the doctors said, the unborn child could stop breathing in the womb every moment.

Yana went to maternity hospital, as if she was going to die. She wrote a will, either. However, the coming little Ukrainian girl seemed to make merry about how much everyone took over her life. A young Hospitaller and a future warrior was born on time, with normal weight and other characteristics. Without any hesitation, Yana decided how to name the daughter. She said, “If God has spared my life, then I have to keep the life of my daughter”. It is believed if God gives a child He gives strength to raise him as well. Several hundred Yana’s friends and fellows were waiting for this baby. Bohdanka was a three-kilo absolute happiness. Time flew. Along with the little girl, Yana was learning to walk. She joked she was ashamed, because her daughter was toddling more confidently than her mother.

Wheelchair does not mean the life is over. The Lord does not give more trials than the man can handle. There are the things that Yana does not want to tell anyone. There are the things Yana wants to forget. Her new being is an everyday struggle for her own and daughter’s lives. However, can the wheelchair-bound life be deemed a true life? Usually, people lead a miserable existence rather than live.

Firstly, it’s unbearable pain that cannot be alleviated by strong pain relievers either. It is more than a mere suffering from injury, as every part of the body aches, even that which cannot ache. She needs to make incredibly tough efforts for doing simple movements that the physically healthy person does automatically. The actions that previously she could do in a few minutes now take as twice as much time or longer.

Secondly, it is a struggle with an awkward bureaucratic system. When even sitting in a wheelchair she has to prove her disability, to show terrible images with missing parts of the bones, and to make excuses for an image with expired date for the medical committee. It is impossible, even with third-party help, to get into all public places, including the hospitals, to move along the city streets because they are not equipped with ramps. The public transport is not equipped with facilities for people with disabilities. Yana who has passed through several hundred battles and carried several hundred soldiers in her arms, could not resist a rusty and rotten system.

Her soul is missing the lost sensations, as she would like to discern heat and cold with her feet, to run on the grass or to lie freely on the back looking at the blue sky, to feel the brush of grass under her feet, to plash a warm sea scattering sprays around, to throw up a ball, to run a race with somebody, to spin the bicycle pedals, to wear heels though she did not like to do it before the injury, but now, for some reason, she began to like, to flip-flop barefoot on a warm floor and to brew coffee while the sun is rising in the east, to be physically self-sufficient and non-reliant in everything. Healthy people do not think of such ordinary but important things. Only having lost them, people understand how important they are. Can the man feel sick, broken, but happy? Everyone decides this for oneself.

Life is a challenge. Wheelchair-bound life is a forever internal struggle that is never rewarded. Because the best thing seem to have remained in the past. One must re-learn to live. Start all over again. Learn to love a wheelchair, to look nice in it. Do sports, train. Communicate with friends, do business, go to cinema, read books, walk with dog, give birth to children, contemplate the beauty, love oneself and let others to love, help people, take help, be strong and weak, dream, sin, and fall in love. Set the example. Know that many eyes are focusing on you and getting inspired. Meet expectations of people who find themselves in a similar situation. And command the battalion. Pass EIT exams and prepare for entering a medical university.

Despite all pessimistic medical prognoses, Yana is alive and continues to work. She has given birth to child. She is still doing rehabilitation exercises, every day overcomes pain, despair, and sorrow, which can poison even a healthy person. Yana has become a source of strength and inspiration for other people. She takes part in a charity marathon to raise funds for sport prosthetics for Ukrainian soldiers, regularly visits the battlefield positions, manages rotations of paramedics. She has travelled many hundred kilometers overcoming pain and fatigue. Yana continues to lift spirit not only at the front, but also in the peaceful life.

“Please, share! I’m in the Charity Marathon for the “Winners”. Our goal is to raise funds for sport prosthetics for Ukrainian soldiers! Join our project! Almost all of us have no arms or legs or are wheelchair bound, but we make a lot of fun! “ Late evening, staying alone, Yana asks herself, “Why am I?” The answer comes, “Why not?”

“I wish we would be kinder to each other. Good can do real miracles, relieve pain, unite many unfamiliar people, it makes easier to endure the difficulties of life. I have been given a good thing — my life has been saved, you give me the good by supporting me. And I support everyone who needs it.

Two miracles have already happened to me — I survived when it was impossible to survive, and gave birth to my daughter when it was impossible to have children for the whole of my life. We have to believe in prodigies, in unusual things, it is necessary to do miracles. Whenever you can help someone, just do it and rejoice that God answers someone’s prayer through you.

Do good and let our children never see the grief and losses of war. We deserve to live in the world of goodness, free of war and evil! Personally, I will do my best and never give up.

PS. Take the cue and keep your chin up. Most of your problems either do not exist at all, or are foolish. You can do whatever you want. We must believe in ourselves and in our strength,” says Yana Zinkevych.

Aliona

It’s too early for reflection, since ahead I have a plenty of important things to do. When I am touched with gray I’ll have enough time for this.

In the meantime, I’m rushing without rest, with the world trying to catch me.

Lina Kostenko

From the first days of the Maidan to the victory, no matter how far it is. November 21, 2013 remains forever in the memory of Ukrainians as a landmark date. Then Mustafa Nayyem urged all passionate Ukrainians to gather on the Maidan warmly dressed, with flasks of hot coffee and tea. Then, the country loudly manifested its protest having neither an action plan, nor money, but guided by a dream and a blind faith that sparked an inexhaustible fire in the hearts of many thousand Ukrainians.

The fateful Mustafa’s summon and numerous cups of coffee she drank that evening in the Maidan became a freedom-loving elixir for Aliona as waked up her passion for struggle and thirst for victory. From the very first day, Aliona joined the activists, postponed all other affairs, including her successful legal business. The overwhelming majority of Ukrainians could not stay out of the protests, people began to unite into various civil organizations that assumed the responsibility for helping to the Maidan protesters and newly formed volunteer battalions.

Helping others and taking part in volunteering, Aliona always acts very calmly and carefully, as the life has taught her not to hurry and to appreciate every minute. In parallel with volunteer activities, Aliona is engaged in the implementation of the law on transplantation of organs from unrelated donors. Adult men die at the front, while in the children’s department of Kyiv hospital, little Ukrainians cannot wait for a transplant of vital organs. For them, time is a matter of life or death. Often, money raised for the treatment of a child is transmitted to the other one without a chance of being spent.

It’s not by chance, Aliona is a member of the working group on the implementation of the transplant law. Eight years ago, the woman escaped death but only by the skin of her teeth. When the man is hanging between life and death, he must make a choice where to move on. Aliona has chosen life that did not promise to be easy.

It seemed to be just a seasonal cold, but, unfortunately, a severe influenza virus put the woman into resuscitation unit. Aliona regained consciousness, but could not speak. Slowly looking around white room, she tried to move her limbs. She succeeded not immediately, with a thought she was paralyzed storming through her mind. So, the woman continued to move vigorously with her legs and arms, until finally managed to throw the blanket out. “I’m alive, I’m moving,” the woman heaved a sigh of relief and saw medical equipment, wires, and bulbs around. The doctors had already warned her mother that the daughter was unlikely to survive, but they were sorely mistaken. Aliona did emerge from coma. However, her boyfriend could not put up with such changes in the health of the woman whom he seemed to love, and urgently went to a long “business trip”’.

Aliona had to start her life with a blank slate. Fortunately, there were those who supported the woman, in particular, her employer who was waiting in the hospital lobby, until Aliona came round. She not only did survive, but also returned to normal life, with new views and priorities. She started with a long-term resuscitation therapy, sometimes, lost hope, but regained and continued her struggle for life according to new rules. Aliona found the solution in Belarus, where she has queued for kidney transplantation. In the meantime, she underwent hemodialysis in order to survive. Over the years, Aliona has got used to her state and to waiting. After all, she had to live on.

The first trip to the combat zone was for reconnaissance. Since communication between the two parts of Ukraine had been broken, it was impossible to track or even to transfer volunteer aid to the front. In Volnovakha and Staromychaylivka, the volunteers encountered two battalions with soldiers as ragged as a sheep among shearers. Aliona could not believe her eyes: the guys were barefooted and poorly dressed. Fall 2014 was over. Having talked to the 28th brigade face to face, the woman learned that the soldiers received only ten percent of the aid that was due to them. Having arrived in the headquarters of the National Guard, the volunteers were instructed to divide the aid into three heaps, one of which was immediately brought to the commander’s office, the second one was put aside, and only the third one was given to the soldiers. Aliona was steaming up over the battalion commander who instead of being a father and a model was turned out to be a dishonest man doing in a way undignified of military officer.

Outer garment, footwear, food, medicine, optical devices... She started with small things. The volunteers were preparing and bringing everything the soldiers needed every day in the front zone. Unfortunately, over time, some commanders began to play them off shifting responsibility for coordination and organization of aid to the latter. Some of them excused this by lack of time and more important tasks. Volunteer aid was neither accounted on balance, nor tracked. Nobody, except the volunteers themselves, cared if this or that equipment was lost. A five-thousand-dollar thermal imager which was purchased for money given by ordinary Ukrainians and badly needed at the front line could be found on sale for fifteen thousand hryvnias at a pawnshop. So, the spontaneous desire of helping everyone on the front was gradually evolving into conscious and measurable aid with focus on vehicles that were subject to mandatory registration, with battalion commanders being accountable for loss. Also, the volunteers began to monitor the requests and their fulfillment. Some staff officers reacted on volunteers like the bull on a red rag since they forced them to work. The volunteers got involved and have found simple mechanisms for monitoring the quality of both garment and food.

Once, having tried canned meat from a soldier ration, Aliona joked that now they could be found by smell (so stinking and inedible that food was). Although, for the years of war, the state has got the feel of providing the army with necessities, and Ukrainian soldiers have been no longer naked, barefoot, and hungry, all procurement processes remain unbalanced, unstable, and chaotic. Quality is given up for the sake of quantity. Money is spent, deliveries are made, but, the quality leaves much to be desired. The volunteers have learned to influence bureaucratic processes and to change the military leadership of the General Staff. The old mechanisms were modified very slowly, step by step. The state began to operate, despite the old principle “where there are two Ukrainians, there are three hetmans.” Sound ideas, reasonable suggestions have touched feelings of harsh men from the General Staff of Ukraine. Some changes took time to pass through popular decisions and complete transformation, but the system started moving beyond words to deeds.

These changes concern both the highest echelon and the ordinary people. During the years of war, Aliona has been noting radical changes in the views and deeds of many Ukrainians who join or leave the volunteer movement. Aliona is very tight-lipped in informative messages in social networks that become the main source of communication, but sometimes help comes in the least expected way, from those whom nobody looks at. So, familiar businessmen who never seemed to be great patriots, gave money for buying two vehicles.

Aliona never asks for help openly, just lists what is necessary. She also encourages people by personal example. Aliona allocates most of revenues from her own business to the needs of the front. Unfortunately, there are those whom these calls for help annoy.

Aliona just goes on calmly and confidently, not condemning nor criticizing anybody. It’s hard to believe, but the woman states that she has become more cynical. Being few steps away from the loss of mind, Aliona has realized that the loss of emotions is the only way to survive. Every day soldiers are killed. Although they are mostly unfamiliar to Aliona, as woman and mother, she cannot perceive those deaths calmly since for somebody they are the whole world — a beloved son, a dear husband, a brother or a close friend.

With time, the volunteers have gradually ceased to help everybody. There are good and evil and there are light and dark people. There are those who abuse and make profits from the war, those who sometimes mindlessly, sometimes deliberately betray comrades or drink heavily thereby putting the whole unit in jeopardy. So, the volunteers have learned to be cynical, making their help more targeted. There has been formed a circle of those who really need and appreciate the help. For volunteers, such brigades have become a family rather than mere military comrades. For instance, the 72nd brigade, the third battalion. It was the commander of this brigade who put forward Aliona for the honorary title People’s Hero of Ukraine. Eventually, she nominated him for the award ... posthumously. This loss broken her life again.

The death of close friend has made the woman pretty much tough. Aliona remembered her first trip to the 72nd Brigade, the day when the volunteers brought optical devices, and the battalion commander was ranting at them because they destroyed his plans for the working day. That time, Aliona faced Andrii, the chief of the staff, a man who became for her not only a like-minded fellow but also a sincere friend. So, she got a brother-in-arms. Together they were planning procurements, monitoring requests for guns and equipment, nominating soldiers for awards. Andrii was among those who was devoted to military service, always caring of ordinary soldiers. He planned a military career, dreamed of ending the war and creating a strong professional army in Ukraine.

Aliona planned a trip to the 72nd brigade, when she suddenly fell ill and got bound to bed for several weeks, so she was forced to stay in Kyiv. The woman was making haste for recovery, since Andrii who at that time had been bumped up to the battalion commander, called her persistently. There were many outstanding issues on the agenda. While lying on a drip, having a needle in the one hand and a telephone in the other, Aliona received a terrible news that “Andrii is no more”. The first thought was to rip out a drip and to run. Aliona tried to stand up, but the nurse did not allow her to do this. The short life of thirty-year-old Andrii Zhuk was going through in the mind of the woman.

Aliona remembered how he was telling about getting acquainted with his wife in Lviv, how he was sharing his memories about his mother and his childhood. Andrii was young and energetic, with great plans and a big heart. He went to the front as volunteer and, starting from the very bottom, rose to the rank of battalion commander. In Aliona’s eyes, he was a personification of the future Ukrainian army. Having received information that the enemy was spotted in a wooded area, Andrii, together with three soldiers, went inspecting the field. Andrii was leading a triangle-configured file, with two soldiers following him. Suddenly, he shouted “Down!” to the guys, and immediately after this, his body was riddled by machine-gun burst. The injury was fatal. At the expense of his own life, the battalion commander saved the two people.

Aliona was embarrassed with the fact that Andrii’s mother did not knew that the son was fighting. He always concealed the truth from her in order to conserve her weak heart. He told he was working at a training ground that was always safe. Both mom and sister were clueless about the fact that Andrii was risking his life every moment to secure his mother and other people sleeping calmly. Aliona could not imagine how she would look at the eyes of Andrii’s mother. At the posthumous award of Andrii, Aliona felt guilty, like everyone who belonged to his immediate surround. Andrii’s death hurt Aliona so fiercely that she got tongue-tied. She was calling to common friends, but for being unable to get out a few words either, just kept silent. They kept silent at that end of the wire as well.

The friends kept silent feeling guilty for failure to protect Andrii. They failed to save him like Andrii did not save himself when went for reconnaissance. As commander, he would have had to take care of his life as priority, but because of the lack of people, he had no choice. In general, he never sheltered himself behind the soldiers, always being on the firing line. Quite a hero and a true commander. Andrii was calm and watchful. His every deed was well-though-out and carefully weighed. Whatever the danger was, Andrii did know how to come to an agreement with it. Unfortunately, not that time. Even at the funeral, Aliona could not believe in what was happening. She always thought Andrii would reach victory, so self-confident he was.

Andrii’s death changed Aliona’s conviction that life could be long for anyone. Often, meeting with military friends, the woman catches herself thinking she may have seen this person for the last time. So, always Aliona tries to say the essential, important words, in addition to business issues. Aliona never got a chance to tell Andrii so many things. They always talked about the staff work, the politics, and the future of the Ukrainian army, requests for weapons and equipment. She never told him that she loved him as a friend and treated him as family member.

For Aliona, war and romantic life are incompatible. Although many military men have felt affection for a beautiful large-eyed brunette with a kind look, Aliona has been always keeping professional and friendly relations. War can change anyone in one day. One can display the qualities he never supposed before. Often, false volunteers and beauties come to the front line with absolutely non-patriotic feelings. Sometimes, Aliona has to blush for those women who go to the battlefield for romance.

Apart from death, war brings a lot of dirt and fornication. People are guided by the lowest instincts and the most primitive desires of human nature, downgrade themselves to animals. Gun gives someone confidence, but can drive mad. For some people, war is a bloody hell and Armageddon, while others go on the battlefield for adrenaline rush.

Often, having swigged alcohol, soldiers turn into uncontrolled “avatars” and die from friendly fire or even worse, put their brothers-in-arms in jeopardy. For disciplinary purpose, they are retained in special pits with a bench seat (“avatarnik”) until come out of soak. Aliona has learned war from her experience.

War is not about nuances. Everyone is either a man with big M or a humanlike creature. Everyone decides for oneself, everyone chooses one’s own way. Unlike in peaceful life where play and masks are allowed and everyone can show oneself as he wants, in war there is no time for this. When a brother-in-arms dies, one can either try to rescue him, or run away. In war, there is a very thin line between life and death, between patriotism and idiotism, between good and bad. Every fail might cost both physical and mental life.

Aliona has been preparing all her trips very carefully, planning the route, and gradually getting used to danger and bombardment. Very seldom the volunteers stay at night in the combat area, always use a military escort. Although bombs seem to explore somewhere very near, the volunteers’ ears have got tuned to new sounds, and bright glow of fire from explosions has not shocked them any longer.

Firstly, Aliona hid her voyages to the front from her mother. However, once, throwing caution to the winds, she left a key to warehouse with military equipment to her mother. The sociable mom fell into talk with the guys who came “to take something”. From them she became aware that her daughter has been masterfully wielded a sniper rifle. At first, mom tried to talk Aliona out of going to the front line but having eventually realized that it is impossible, she began to help her. The mother is proud of her fully-grown and smart daughter. Aliona’s son who by choice has entered the Ivan Bogun Military Lyceum in Kyiv supports and sympathizes with her. Although the woman realizes that her son has chosen a difficult profession she does not discourage him from doing so. Aliona puts her hope on his son and anticipates that while he is growing up, Ukraine changes for the better.

In the course of war, Aliona has revised her volunteer activities in order to make the trips as effective as possible. The woman does not go with urgent haste to the front for delivering each new supply, but continues to control everything. There are a lot of outstanding administrative issues in Kyiv, which need Aliona’s involvement. She has to care of her health and to undergo hemodialysis, from time to time. Aliona has not ceased to lobby for the law on organ transplants. Volunteer supplies continue to be dispatched systematically, but in more well-organized way. The General Staff started to pay heed to her suggestions and advice, which do not seem unrealistic or impracticable. Although the whole system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine still has been governed by post-Soviet principles and concepts, thanks to patriotic advisers and volunteers, one can hope for reforming its old rusty mechanisms.

During the years of war, Aliona has shed tears many times, as war hurts her as mother and as woman. She cannot keep from weeping during ceremonies, when a sixteen-year-old hero or a medical volunteer tortured to death is awarded posthumously. While arranging trips to the combat area, Aliona does not forget about orphanages and homes for the elderly, which the state has left to the mercy of fate. Volunteers bring diapers and other necessities. Once, in orphanage, she met a young boy with Down’s syndrome. He was so afraid that trembling from fear and his disease. Aliona could not keep from tearing as the guy asked for a woven yellow-and-blue bracelet she was wearing as all other volunteers. Seeing his eyes shining from enormous joy, Aliona began to tremble as well.

Despite the horrors of war, the woman does keep her nerve and stay strong. Moreover, she is strong enough to inspire others. Even the most stout-hearted people sometimes have hard times and need support and help. When someone who finds oneself between a rock and a hard place calls, Aliona instantly revives and finds words of encouragement. She finds the right words for those who needs advice or heart-to-heart talk. So, she has no moral right for desponding. And though often she returns home tired and exhausted, next morning she regains strength and will to move on. Aliona has no idea what gives her this strength. However, she was, is, and will be strong enough to live and raise a son, to maintain her physical condition, to work on the transplant law, to take part in awarding people’s heroes, and to continue to organize volunteer help to the front.

There are people who have a great heart by nature. And whatever trials they have passed, the love in this heart never becomes less. These chosen people carry the inextinguishable fire. From the fire of a small candle one can light hundreds and thousands lamps. Light symbolizes the life is going on. I look into Aliona’s eyes, they are really shining and irradiating glow, warmth, confidence, and faith in the people of

Ukraine and in the Victory of Ukraine. After our conversation I come back home invigorated and inspired. Aliona is beautiful, radiant, and strong. A woman who has overcome severe disease, kidney transplantation, loneliness and betrayal of beloved people, horrors and pain of war. Despite the trials and obstacles, her heart has remained kindly and warm, and her faith in the Victory has become even more steadfast.

Amina

War is a trial that inspires people for doing heroic deeds and for glorifying these deeds.

Amina Okueva

Amina is an incredibly beautiful woman. She has Chechen and Polish blood in her veins. She combines all best qualities of her parents. I keep my eyes glued on Amina’s eyes for a long while. She has a piercing and heart-searching glaze. At the same time, her eyes are shining with an extremely bright glow of love and understanding. When she smiles, her cheeks have seductive dimples, with sundogs seeming to play around. Like every woman, I always try to distill the secret of the oriental beauty. However, it seems, either the oriental men could not have done this. It is an incredible symbiosis of beauty, courage, bravery, and fearlessness. The gentle, cheerful, charismatic, Odesa-born Amazon Amina is a member of EuroMaidan. She is a surgeon in peaceful life, and a combatant in the war in Eastern Ukraine. Amina is a sniper, a volunteer, and a fighter for freedom of Chechnya and Ukraine from Russia. Beloved woman and wife who likes sweets and pot flowers.

As a true Muslim, Amina does not believe in mystics and the influence of stars, horoscopes, or other stuff on the destiny. However, the Muslims give their children beautiful names that mean good and worthy things. So, it makes sense that the name has a certain effect on the person and his or her life. Notwithstanding, first of all, Amina firmly believes, everyone has divine foreordination for him. Her childhood was calm and carefree. She liked reading books that formed her strong desire “to save the world”. When reading fairy tales, Amina always wondered why the prince had always been to save the princess. The girl wanted to revise the classic fairy tales. Why would not a princess save a prince for a change? After all, princes also got into trouble, and the princesses could not always sit lazily. Although childhood was left in her warm memories, the desire “to save the world” has been still with Amina. Moreover, it becomes stronger, and fairy tales have come back into her life. With her friends, Amina has started the project The Newest Fairy Tales of Ukraine, a series of tales about heroes of contemporary Ukraine based on true stories and adapted to children. The book talks about prominent heroes and ordinary soldiers, volunteers, physicians, and paramedics - all those who have not remained aloof to the current military situation in Ukraine, who do their best in order to secure the little readers to live in free, strong, prosperous, and well-protected country.