Ukrainian Horus, who skillfully beat the invaders: the story of the Hero of Ukraine Lev Pashko
Since 2014, the fighters of a separate special purpose detachment “Azov” of the National Guard of Ukraine have deservedly repelled the terrorists in the Donbas, and now, with the beginning of full-scale aggression, they defended Mariupol. During a multi-day siege, under daily rocket and artillery strikes, they, as part of a garrison outnumbered by the thousands of invaders, held the defense of the city for 86 days.
At one time they said about the “cyborgs” of Donetsk airport: “They endured, concrete could not stand.” This definition illustrates in the best possible way the appeal of the defenders of Mariupol. The enemy wiped out a half-million city from the face of the Earth, but he does not have such a weapon to break the spirit of the “Azov”.
One of these heroes is a very young commander of the company “Azov” Lev Pashko. In his 22 years, a graduate of the Open International University of Human Development “Ukraine” has a considerable list of military merits, which would honor a gray-haired veteran.
He came to OZSP “Azov” in 2017, having just turned eighteen years old. The young man did not hesitate to choose the callsign Horus — the name of the ancient Egyptian god of hunting, heaven and war. Our Ukrainian, “Azov” Horus, having started his service as a soldier and having passed several training courses, skillfully beat the invaders, defending the hero city of Mariupol.
By the Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 168/2022 dated March 25, 2022, Lev Pashko was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky III degree. Shortly after the celebration of the first state award, Horus was awarded the regular military title “lieutenant”.
Leo is an experienced leader who skillfully manages a subordinate unit, successfully completes the tasks and ruthlessly destroys the enemy. With perseverance and courage, he inspires his brethren to victory in seemingly hopeless situations.
On March 26, from the side of the village of Gnutovo, the enemy made another attempt to break through the defense of the defenders of Mariupol. A column of five tanks and two infantry fighting vehicles pushed into the city. A group of guards under the command of Lieutenant Paszko advanced towards the enemy. When enemy equipment showed up, Lev confidently aimed a grenade launcher at one of the Russian BMP-2. The infantrymen began to jump out of the burning car, but the second shot was not delayed and eight invaders met their deaths in the Ukrainian steppe. The rest of the uninvited guests began to deploy in combat order, trying to occupy the defense.
“Azov” they clearly did not see. Observing their commotion, Lieutenant Paszko's group made a covert maneuver and struck at the column from the left flank. Two Russian tanks were destroyed in the first minute of the battle, one of them personally shot down by Horus. In vain the enemy tried to escape! Our special forces went on the counteroffensive, burned almost all the equipment and transferred to the category of “two hundred” at least 30 occupiers. In doing so, the lieutenant destroyed nine invaders and captured one, and also captured a surviving BMP and an enemy radio station.
On March 8, the forces of the aggressor managed to break through the defense of our troops between the villages of Gnutove and Chernenko. Intelligence found that the Russians planned to ship three tanks and six trucks across the Calmius River. A consolidated group under the command of Horus advanced in the direction of the enemy movement. Fortunately, it was already dark when the invaders began the crossing. Stealthily approaching the enemy at point-blank range, Lieutenant Pashko targeted the tank and truck. A battle ensued, during which Lev destroyed at least 13 Russian soldiers and 3 trucks with ammunition. Thanks to the heroic actions of the special forces and, in particular, Lieutenant Paszko, the occupiers suffered huge losses and retreated. The enemy continued to throw manpower and equipment into Mariupol, and, despite fierce resistance from the Ukrainian garrison, squeezed the ring around the city.
On April 1, the enemy detachment went to the outskirts of Mariupol and began to equip the checkpoint. Lieutenant Pashko perfectly understood that the enemy unit outnumbered the “Azovites” both in numbers and in weapons, besides, it was covered from several sides by artillery. But despite all this, Horus dared to attack. At 15.30 he planned the actions of his subordinates, proved the procedure for the appointment and work of each of them, and already at 16.45 at the site of the enemy checkpoint, the flag of Ukraine was flagged by the majors.
Fifteen desperate Azov guards were confronted by about fifty Russian invaders, a tank and four “Rys” armored fighting vehicles, but as a result of the battle all equipment and half of the enemy's personnel were destroyed. And these are just a few examples of the young commander's personal courage and exceptional military professionalism.
For his personal courage and heroism in the defense of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, selfless service to the Ukrainian people by the Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 251/2022 dated April 17, 2022, Lieutenant Pashko Lev Valeriyevich was awarded the title Hero of Ukraine with the award of the Order “Golden Gold” Star”.
National Guard of Ukraine
