“There were 17 Russian soldiers for one of our fighters”: a fighter of the Kryvyi Rih Brigade told students about the defense of Mariupol
On May 20, Ukraine unofficially honored the defenders of Mariupol, who held the defense of the city for 86 days.
At the Center for Cloud Technologies in Kryvyi Rih, an online conference with one of the defenders of Mariupol - a soldier of the 21st Brigade of the National Guard Vladislav Kashenets was held. On February 8, 2022, as part of the company group, Vladislav went on rotation to the Donetsk region and performed combat tasks initially on the outskirts Mariupol, and subsequently held the defense of the city.
“The first shelling began in the evening, February 23, in the area of Shyrokino, which is about 40 kilometers from Mariupol itself. Then we already knew that a reconnaissance boat and 13 ships were coming at us from the sea, among which was the cruiser “Moscow”. Missile attacks began from ships, launched guided and unguided aircraft bombs, cruise missiles, artillery, tanks. In March, they entered into interaction with “Azov” and held the defense at the agricultural base, in the Melekinsky direction. Helped our artillery, adjusted the fire on the enemy. It was difficult, because there was a big counterweight - one of our fighters against 17 Russian troops. Nevertheless, our forces sufficiently “cracked” the enemy and reduced its capabilities,” says Vladislav.
Throughout March, Mariupol found itself in a ring around which Russia continued to build up forces, diverting equipment and manpower from other directions.
“Enemy “birds” constantly hung over their heads, so it was necessary to change positions almost every 5 minutes. After one of the shelling, I received a shrapnel wound and was on the “Azovstal”. During our stay in Mariupol, our helicopters flew several times, bringing medicines, food, ammunition and evacuating the wounded,” says the guard.
In December last year, as part of another prisoner exchange, Vladislav returned home, underwent treatment and is currently continuing rehabilitation.
National Guard of Ukraine
