Bogdan's Story: Dignity in Battle

Bogdan enlisted in the fall of 2022 with the 13th Separate Airborne Assault Battalion of the 95th Brigade. From his very first months of service, he found himself on one of the toughest front lines, where combat leaves no time for hesitation—only for decisions and action. In March 2023, during fighting in the Kreminna Forest, the unit held its position for about five hours under heavy artillery fire and assault attempts. Of the seven fighters, four were wounded and one was killed. Under these conditions, Bohdan received an order to organize an evacuation when the situation at the position became critical. Left behind were a severely wounded soldier with both legs amputated and another wounded commander. After reaching the forward observation post, Bohdan received information that the enemy was preparing a new assault— about ten people, detected by a drone. Despite the risk of a second attack, he took three reserve fighters and decided to return for his comrades. It was not just an order and not just a task—it was a return to the very place from which they had just managed to escape alive. Under fire, the group managed to get back in, evacuate their seriously wounded comrade, and carry him out of the position. The enemy suffered casualties during the battle. They had to abandon the position due to the overall tactical situation, and they were unable to evacuate the body of their fallen comrade. After moving to a new position, Bohdan became the senior soldier and later the squad leader, taking charge of organizing the defense and the remaining men. On June 28, 2023, during fighting in the Kreminna Forest, he sustained his first wound. After treatment, he returned to duty and continued to carry out combat missions in the the Kupiansk direction. On August 31, 2023, during the assault on Klishchiivka, he sustained a second serious injury, after which he underwent a lengthy rehabilitation but returned to his unit—to the extent that his health permitted. During his service, he was awarded: the “Golden Cross” (June 20, 2023), the “Brigade Cross” of the 95th Brigade (August 2023), the “Cross of Honor” (twice), and the “For Wounds” medal (gold bar). In late summer 2024, due to the effects of his injuries, Bohdan was transferred to a rear unit.