Shot by Russia: National Guardsman Andrei Bakhtin died 15 kilometers from his hometown of Rivne
For Andriy Bakhtin's family, February 24, 2022 started off as a surprise. They, like most Ukrainians, did not believe in the possibility of a full-scale war. However, after learning from the media that the invasion had begun, Andriy Bakhtin went to the military enlistment office in his hometown of Rivne. He went three times, because every time he was refused.
On February 27, his daughter turned 5 years old - it was the last time their family gathered together at the same table. As a volunteer, Andrei enters the National Guard of Ukraine and begins to serve at one of the regime facilities 15 kilometers from his native home.
“He was positive, everyone's eyes were burning, they slept for a few hours because there was adrenaline. We wanted to defeat the enemy as soon as possible and return home,” recalls his brother and commander Andriy. March 14, 2022 in Rivne began with an alarm - it was reported that a possible missile danger:
“In the morning I heard explosions and realized that my son was no longer there. My heart told me this,” says mother Irina Sergeevna with tears in her eyes.
The Russian army attacked the Rivne TV tower with two missiles on the 18th day of a full-scale war, one of them hit and destroyed the premises where the soldiers were staying. On that day, 21 National Guardsmen died from enemy shelling, among them Andrei Bakhtin.
Before the full-scale invasion, Andriy liked to spend time with his daughter Sofiika. Together they conquered Hoverla, went fishing and even on their husband's business trips were together. Now the girl draws postcards for dad and brings him to the cemetery, where she spends time with him.
“We often go to Andriy, tell us how we live here and miss him very much. Before the war, he built the house himself, so now we live where everything reminds of the golden hands of my son,” says Mrs. Irina.
This year, Sofiika Bakhtina went to the 1st grade - she was taken to the desk by Andrey's brothers from the National Guard of Ukraine. See the story of a volunteer from the National Guard in the project “Shot by Russia” by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
