Our position was one - advanced, - border guard Vyacheslav Zhigalin
The Major of the State Border Service of Ukraine with 10 years of experience talks about the first decisions and actions since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, contact battles with the enemy and the clearing of the territory of Sumy region after de-occupation.
As Vyacheslav Zhigalin recalls, the morning of February 24 at the border checkpoints of the Sumy region began alarmingly, as missiles and mines began to fly from the neighboring country towards the Ukrainian border guards.
“At four in the morning we saw missiles flying from the sky over our checkpoint. We were all ready for action. On the same day, we entered into a battle that lasted about twenty minutes, and destroyed enemy infantry fighting equipment. Then there was a spectacular hit in the BMP, when a shell from an LNG fell.”
At their positions, the border guards held the defense for two months. All the time, the enemy constantly fired at them from “Grades”, mortars, launched air strikes and dropped bombs. And only thanks to the skillful actions of commander Zhigalin, it was possible to avoid losses among personnel and military equipment.
“We had the same position - advanced, so we were constantly there. After the de-occupation, we participated in the clearing of villages. Together with the SBU, the National Guard, the Armed Forces of Ukraine captured 21 soldiers with “passports” of the so-called “dnr” - murmured and frightened. Everyone was silent, lowering their heads,” says Vyacheslav.
Despite the liberation of Sumy region, the enemy continues to shell its territories, in particular border settlements with civilians. However, Ukrainian defenders are steadfast and firmly hold the defense of the borders.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
