Participant of the Regional Competition "Young Person of the Year – 2025" in the Nomination "Unconquered: The Strength of Spirit and Valor of Donetsk Region" Serhii Volkov
I, Serhii Volkov, joined the National Guard of Ukraine on February 28, 2022, at the age of 18. However, the war for me began much earlier. In 2014, when I was 11, I encountered the war in Sloviansk. During the occupation of my hometown, I witnessed violence and lawlessness firsthand. I saw unknown people in uniform placing cannons near my house. When my grandmother warned them that there were elderly people and children in the houses, they pointed their weapons at her. Perhaps it was then that I realized that in the future, I must stand up to defend my homeland and protect my native Ukraine.
With the start of the full-scale invasion, I could not stand aside, so in the first days of the war, I went to the local Territorial Recruitment Center. I was enlisted into the National Guard of Ukraine, and later sent for training, where I acquired a very interesting profession – a sapper.
Being a sapper isn't just about demining; it's also about combat missions. I have one story. We were performing a task – to get as close as possible to the enemy in the "grey zone," where an enemy assault was planned. We needed to mine the area. When we had advanced 50 meters from the drop-off point, we came under enemy shelling. We were lucky that there were small abandoned trenches nearby where we could take cover from the shelling. Despite everything happening around us, the next night we headed to the positions where our guys were. In addition to the ammunition and weapons we carried, we also brought many trench candles, which the guys were running out of. Later, after waiting out the shelling, we entered the "grey zone" under the cover of our comrades. As soon as we started laying mines, the shelling began again, but despite everything, we completed all our tasks. The next day, we learned that the enemy assault had failed thanks to our mining efforts and the guys who held their positions.
Although it was difficult at first, the realization that I had become part of our people's resistance and had the opportunity to help my country gave me the strength to move forward. Recalling my first combat missions and the emotions that overwhelmed me at that moment, I felt awkward because I didn't truly understand what was happening. I was fortunate, and I am grateful that I had comrades by my side who supported, guided, and inspired me to courageous acts.
I already have many memories. They are diverse – emotional, instructive, sad, and joyful. And there are also those of which I am proud.
I remember how in 2023, near the village of Kivsharivka, my comrade and I were leaving our positions after completing a task when we heard someone in the grass. We approached closer and saw a wounded soldier from another brigade. We managed to provide him with first aid, pull him from the positions to the nearest cover, and call for an evacuation, which took him to a medical facility.
War is not only about bravery and heroism. Sometimes, like any person, there is a feeling of fear. But we must compose ourselves, we must move forward for the sake of our future, for the sake of a free life.
GLORY TO UKRAINE! GLORY TO THE HEROES!