The Invincible Policeman: the Story of a Law Enforcement Officer from Donetsk Oleksandr Lavrushko
In 2004, Oleksandr Lavrushko started his career in law enforcement agencies in Donetsk. The man was inspired by the work of a policeman while on duty in Odessa, so he became the first in the family to choose a life path in uniform. Alexander said that what inspires him most in his work is helping people.
As soon as the war began in Ukraine in 2014, the police station, in which Alexander Lavrushko serves, was transferred from Donetsk to Mariupol. Then he, without hesitation, began, together with his colleagues, to deliver humanitarian aid to the needy and to record the war crimes of the Russian army in the Donetsk region.
In February 2015, the policeman went on another business trip to the city of Debaltsevo, Donetsk region, which was already surrounded by Russian troops. Alexander, as part of a group of 25 people, had to bring medicine and food to local residents and colleagues at the regional branch, which continued to function, despite the constant shelling of Debaltseve and the inevitable capture of the city by the Russian army.
Alexander Lavrushko still reluctantly remembers that day. He remembers how at the entrance to the city there was a car with soldiers in Ukrainian uniforms. As it turned out later, these were overdressed militants:
“We actually found ourselves in a ring as soon as we drove to Debaltsevo. Thank God, our driver did not stop in front of the car of the Russians, who were in the uniform of the Armed Forces. Otherwise, we would all be 'put' in place,” the policeman recalls.
The trip, which was supposed to last a week, did not end as planned. Russian troops once again began mortar fire, as a result of which the regional department, to which Alexander came with his colleagues, was completely destroyed.
“On the building of the district police station of the major there is a blue-yellow cordon. Perhaps this angered the enemy, who was already in Debaltsevo and was actively seizing the territory of the city,” Oleksandr Lavrushko noted.
For a time, police officers with other defense forces held positions and eventually received orders to withdraw. Trying to leave dangerous combat zones, the column came under fire from Russian occupiers:
“The Russians used everything they could to kill. These were both “Grad” and artillery. Without losses, it was impossible to get out of Debaltseve. They sat in the base and waited for our column, then my helmet broke through, and the bodies of the brothers just flew around. Then I don't remember anything,” Alexander recalls.
Then Oleksandr Lavrushko was wounded and ended up in a medical institution in Kharkiv city, and later — he was taken by air to Kiev. His wife Natalia told him about this, because the man himself was in a coma for a month:
“Then I couldn't talk or walk. My wife did not leave me, she was always with me. I thank her for that,” the police officer added.
Alexander had limbs wounded after the shelling, and a 20 centimeter hole in his skull. As soon as the man came out of a long-term coma, he was sent to Germany for 8 months, where they already put a titanium plate in his head:
“Over time, I began to learn to walk in order to be able to serve myself independently and live comfortably. My wife was always with me during this important period. We have been together for 15 years with Natalia,” said Oleksandr Lavrushko.
Long-term rehabilitation, which continues to this day, several operations and constant fighting — in this mode the Lavrushko family had to live after the Russian shelling that year. But the inspiration for life and service in the police in Alexander was stronger than the serious injuries, which almost became fatal. Already in 2018, the police officer returns to duty.
Since childhood, Alexander adored dogs, especially Labradors, because, as the man admits, they are the kindest of all breeds. This love led him to the canine center in the city of Mariupol, Donetsk region. There, the man watched the tails and helped the dog handlers how to work properly and effectively with the dogs.
Sport has also returned to the schedule of my husband's life. He often participated in competitions, in particular in Bakhmut, which is now suffering from round-the-clock shelling and destruction of all infrastructure. According to Alexander, he and his brothers loved to engage in rowing.
It seemed that Alexander's life with his wife and son was gradually improving and nothing could prevent the happiness of being together. The man was quite pleased with the return to the service and his favorite four-legged occupation. However, the happy life of Ukrainians was destroyed on February 24, 2022.
Mariupol residents were among the first to wake up to the sounds of explosions when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Then Alexander decided to immediately take the family out of the city.
Currently, the policeman works remotely in the canine center of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Donetsk region, where he continues to perform his functions and help other dog handlers. He admits that his biggest dream at the moment is to return home to Mariupol, to fully go to work and help citizens, which once inspired him to start serving in the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine. This is what inspires a man today and gives strength.
But Alexander Lavrushko had another dream, which, fortunately, has already come true. Recently, he visited Lviv region, where the “Games of the Unconquered — 2023” took place. The decision to participate in the competition was supported by those closest to him — wife Natalia and commander Artem Kysko. This inspired the policeman so much that he began to train relentlessly and prepare for games in the gym:
“I did all the exercises, of course, with the coach. Because I still can't do much,” adds Oleksandr.
In the rowing category, there were many brothers and acquaintances, with whom Alexander saw for the first time in 8 years at the “Games of the Invincible”. The fight for the championship was fierce and in the end the man managed to win the bronze place.
Now the most important dream remains — returning to Ukrainian Mariupol and continuing service already in Donetsk region. We wish our defender a speedy recovery and the realization of all dreams.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
