SSNS-Sapper Diver: My profession is a small percentage on the way to Victory. But he is mine, I walk him here and now
Vladimir Kozyrev, a diver sapper from Nikolaev region began his professional career in 2022. After graduating from the National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine in the specialty “pyrotechnician”, he entered the service of the Nikolaev garrison of the operational-rescue service.
Since there were already hostilities on the territory of Ukraine, and the Nikolaev region was in the epicenter of armed aggression, there was no time for “swapping”. I had to move very quickly from the routine of cadet routine to daily professional calls and operational outings.
“The turning point for me was the case when my colleagues were injured due to detonation of the cassette element from the projectile system of salvo fire. We were working to protect the locals in the housing sector, and at that moment the cluster munitions worked. Fortunately, everyone is alive, but it was then that I really realized that our profession is very dangerous and at the same time extremely important. Everything we have taught so far from books is good, but today's conditions require every pyrotechnician to have new knowledge, constant self-development and improvement of professional skills,” says Vladimir Kozyrev.
After working for more than a month as a pyrotechnician, Vladimir decided to master another direction for himself — diver sapper. After completing special courses in the city. Romny of Sumy region, Kozyrev returned to his unit and performs his assigned tasks — survey and safe operation of the territories of the region, including underwater demining.
Already in April 2022, Volodymyr Kozyrev was appointed to the position of deputy head of the group - head of the underwater mining department (diving specialist) of the group of special pyrotechnic works of the pyrotechnic works and humanitarian demining section of the special purpose emergency rescue unit of the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Nikolaev Kiev region. There are now 4 divers working under him.
“Together we have been carrying out the task for more than a year. We know each other, we understand from a half-word, and in our profession — this is the most important thing. After all, on how much you trust your partner, the effectiveness of the performance of tasks for the intended purpose depends”, - Vladimir comments.
Today he is 21 years old, Kozyrev has been in service for about a year and a half. In such a short period of time, on his account hundreds of operational sorties, hundreds of seized multi-caliber ammunition both on land and in the water. He easily controls water transport, in particular motor boats, uses modern underwater and surface drones to survey water bodies, one of the first to master the control of the Sonobot hydrographic apparatus.
“During this time, I realized one truth - our profession does not like haste - we work for quality. The more attentive the pyrotechnician, diver sapper will be, the more thoroughly the examination will be carried out, the greater the guarantee that this area is really safe. I believe that my profession is a small percentage on the way to our Victory. But this is my path, and this is what I can do for people here and now.”, - summarizes Vladimir Kozyrev.
State Emergency Service of Ukraine
