“Ukrainians understand that they are defending their land and this motivates for feats,” says Maryna Ryazantseva, doctor of the “Bureva” brigade
She risks herself to save others. She gives part of herself for the sake of the whole people and knows better than anyone the price of Ukraine's future Victory in this war.
Modest and smiling Marina Ryazantseva with the nickname “Mojahed” is a military doctor of the brigade “Burevy”, who heroically saved dozens of wounded from the shelling Horenka in March last year, when she herself received a contusion.
The history of Marina began in the Donetsk region, in the city of Debaltseve. Back in 2014, she was one of the first to see with her own eyes the real “Russian measure”. Then the girl left her hometown, which was occupied by Russian forces, and joined the ranks of the National Guard of Ukraine. Being a doctor by specialty, Marina went to the forefront, where her experience became extremely valuable.
“Before the beginning of the war in 2014, I worked as a doctor in my hometown, but the war began and this territory was quickly occupied, so I had to leave. Since I am in military service, I came to my military registration office, which remained in the controlled territory. I said that I returned to the territory and I was offered a mobilization service,” says the doctor.
Marina met the beginning of a full-scale war in Kiev, and in a few weeks she was in the epicenter of fierce battles for the Ukrainian capital. Having left to reinforce Ukrainian positions, in Gorenka the serviceman, together with his unit, came under massive enemy fire. Their medical car was destroyed, Marina got a contusion.
But even as the Russians continued to aim fire and her own life was in danger, the medic did not back down, but continued to save others.
“We were covered by the Vasilek automatic mortar, plus enemy tanks joined. Fortunately, it passed without casualties, but there were more than a dozen wounded. Taking into account the fact that the medical machine was very damaged, it was not on the move, the wounded had to be evacuated on armor, which was the only suitable for this. During the night after the end of the main barrage, we returned, picked up our wounded and transported to the nearest hospital. But the enemy continued to fire for several more hours,” the defender recalls.
Then many local residents were evacuated, which the Russians also covered with fire. Marina says that as a result of the shelling, everything burned down, and civilian buildings were destroyed by explosions just before our eyes.
“It was impossible to stay there, there were several fires around, buildings started on fire almost all over the street. People had nowhere to go, so we took away civilians from under the shelling,” she recalls.
Thanks to the professional actions of the military doctor, the lives of all the wounded were saved. Now, with a smile on her face, she says that all the rescued fighters continue to serve. The most serious of the patients, who was seriously wounded during the shelling, also recovered.
Marina herself was awarded a medal by the President of Ukraine after the events in Horenka for courage, courage and dedication. But she emphasizes that her intention was not in fame or recognition, she was simply fulfilling her duties.
“At the moment when this all happened (evacuation of the wounded during the shelling. - ed.), I was just doing my job, as qualitatively as possible at that time. Therefore, when I was informed that there would be an award, I was very pleasantly surprised and, of course, comforted,” Mojahed shares his emotions.
Now Marina serves in the “Guard of the Offensive” and has no doubt that we will win. She is confident that this will happen thanks to the unprecedented cohesion of Ukrainians, which is manifested from the first days of the Great War.
“When these people (Ukrainians. - Ed.) understand that they are protecting their loved ones, their homes, their land - it motivates for feats,” she says.
Marina sees the upcoming Victory as the absolute liberation of Ukrainian territories and the destruction of the aggressor country.
Speaking about Russia's crimes, she focuses on the enemy's terrorist attacks against civilians and stresses that every insidious attack and mistreatment of unarmed citizens is unacceptable.
“Our war is not just a war of some aggressor against a conditional country. In fact, we have a struggle between good and evil. What we see now is absolute good on our part and absolute evil on the part of the aggressor country. There is no justification for such an insidious attack, such barbaric treatment of the civilian population. We know that victory is behind us, we are going one step at a time,” says the doctor of the NGU.
To her young colleagues who are just starting their professional path or thinking about military service, Marina advises to practice a lot and improve their skills. This will help to be prepared for the most unexpected events.
“Combat experience will certainly come with time, and before going to any unit, either under contract or mobilization to join the ranks, prepare as much as possible for the most unpredictable situations. Because in the textbooks it's all perfectly illustrated, but it's all theory, but training in the field, at the training ground, close to combat, is as useful as possible,” she shares her advice.
Speaking about her plans for the future, after the Victory, Marina smiles and says that she has tried several times to leave the army service, but each time circumstances arose that prompted her to return.
“The army is not letting go. Every time I return to the service and find myself an occupation in the army,” concludes the heroine.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
