Ihor Kharin was born and raised in the village of Paraskoviivka in the Bakhmut district of Donetsk Oblast. There, he worked at a factory and farmed.
When the full-scale invasion began, he moved to Zhytomyr with his family. Since 2023, he has been working in an emergency rescue unit responding to disasters. His story is told by Suspilne.Zhytomyr.
Igor currently works as a bulldozer operator, clearing debris in various regions of Ukraine following rocket and drone attacks. He uses an excavator to help search for victims trapped under rubble after “strikes.” Ihor is also called upon to work in Kyiv and the Kyiv region.
“This is a very responsible job. We’re trying to find people who are still alive. Psychologically, it’s very difficult; I’m sure not everyone can handle this kind of work. The working conditions are difficult: you always have to be careful. The equipment is large, so you have to watch out for those around you; you also have to keep an eye on the sky,” says Igor.
Despite the difficult working conditions, the rescuers always try to maintain a strong team spirit.
“Our team is one big, friendly family. No matter which region you’re from—Donetsk, Zhytomyr, or Kyiv—we’re all the same, and everyone supports one another,” says Ihor.
Once the war ends, he plans to continue working with the State Emergency Service. “I chose this path. So there’s no turning back; there will be plenty of work,” says the rescuer.
The Ukrainian people are selfless and unbreakable.
Together to Victory!