The road to life: How a Marine driver saved an officer from drone strikes
Right now, drivers in the CBR area are not just people delivering ammunition and evacuating. They are regularly in mortal danger, as they may encounter fire or attack from enemy drones at any point along the route. The Izvestia correspondent, while in the North group of forces, met the driver of a Marine UAV platoon with the call sign Crimea, who was awarded the Order of Courage for saving an officer under fire. The marine himself, who fought for Avdiivka and the liberation of the Kursk region, admits that his job is a constant willingness to "get away from the blow" and not let his comrades die.
He didn't want to serve in the Ukrainian army.
At first glance, the driver of a Marine UAV platoon with the call sign Crimea gives the impression of a sophisticated and experienced man. He has been on his own since 2023.
— At one time, friends and nephews died in a special operation. At a certain point, I realized that I could no longer stay on the sidelines and had to go help the guys as much as I could. I signed a contract, completed a training course, and was assigned to a Marine brigade," the Marine began our conversation.
He himself is from the Crimea, the city of Krasnoperekopsk. In civilian life, he worked as a pumping machine operator. I've worked both as a tractor driver and as a welder. My family stayed at home: my wife and son.
— I did not serve in the military service. It was the beginning of the 2000s, and there was a Ukrainian army. I decided that I did not want to serve in such an army. It didn't make sense, because then my family would have to send me money for food. There was nothing to do there," the source stressed.
Crimea has military awards. The soldier received the Order of Courage, and was recently awarded the St. George Cross. There are several other departmental awards.
— What did you get the order for? It was in the Avdiivka area. And to be honest, it was probably the most dangerous moment for me in all my time on my own. In fact, it's a reward for saving an officer," the driver recalls.
He clarifies that he received the task of evacuating a lieutenant from the front line, who lost his leg in battle.
— He was bleeding profusely, and I had to take him to the rear. We jumped in where the enemy infantry was coming at us. Plus, there was a mine-explosive barrier. There were anti-tank mines. It was necessary to act quickly and very carefully. In addition, enemy "birds" were circling in the sky. In the process, my partner Baltika and I were also injured, but I evacuated everyone safely. Then, thank God, the lieutenant recovered, returned to the unit and continues to serve. We communicate with him regularly. Nice young guy. He calls me his second godfather," says Krym, smiling.
Liberation of the Kursk region
After being wounded, he recovered for three months, but returned back to his unit, which at that time was already in the Kursk area.
— It was a hot time. The enemy has entered the territory of Russia in large numbers. But we squeezed them out anyway. And we will continue to beat the enemy, driving them further and further away from our borders," the marine confidently says.
Answering the question about what is the most difficult thing for him in his free zone, he becomes a little stiff.
— I guess it's when you're evacuating people and you can't get them there. In other moments and episodes of work, there is almost no fear anymore. Some steadfastness and habit have developed. Sometimes you find yourself thinking that you are already working like a robot. At night, in the morning, in the afternoon, at any time where necessary, you go there. You have to be ready to complete the task every minute. In addition to evacuation, people need to bring provisions, ammunition, and medicines," the driver explains.
He says that he and his colleagues work 24/7.
— We don't have days off. Of course, there is time for rest. But there is not much of it. There is no such thing that you go to bed, for example, at nine in the evening and wake up, say, at seven in the morning. Sometimes you think you have time to relax. You take a shower, wash your face, shave, and tidy yourself up, and at that moment the task of receiving the cargo arrives. So, we have to leave," says the driver.
He draws attention to the fact that during his combat days, there were episodes more than once when he had to save the lives of his comrades and save himself from enemy drone strikes.
— It happened a few times along the way, when you notice a "bird" flying at you, turn sharply, try to get away from the impact, and it works. And it happened that there was only enough time for you and the passengers to jump out, and the car died," he recalls.
He explains that the driver does not just turn the steering wheel and change gears — he is always watching, carefully looking around.
— It comes with experience. My partner with the call sign Baltika, we have been with him almost from the very beginning of my service here. Now we understand each other literally without words. We've already experienced everything. Everyone understands where to look and what needs to be monitored. To be honest, I don't want another partner either. Yes, new people are coming to us. We train them, and then, as they say, they go on an independent voyage, they form tandems among themselves," explains Krym.
Friendly team and family
Speaking about the equipment used for combat work, he notes that it is impossible to get attached to any one machine.
— It often happens that the car is out of order, but the work needs to be done, so you change to another one and leave. I won't say that we have no problems with the equipment and there are a lot of them, but they are being repaired in the shortest possible time. We have a good team. No one refuses to help each other. Good interchangeability. It means a lot. It is pleasant and effective to work in such a team. Morale is always at the right level. A lot of young guys. You prompt them, train them, help them," the fighter notes.
According to Krym, he and his colleagues often have breakdowns along the way.
— It happened that my partner and I removed and repaired the gearbox twice in one night. And once the engine was removed. They worked, but what to do. There are no other options," he emphasizes.
The most important thing, my interlocutor believes, is family.
— I've been on vacation. I try not to immerse my family in the topic of war. Basically, the rhetoric is that I'm alive, healthy, and everything is fine, and we're working. Why do they need the details? I think they are absolutely unnecessary. When we get the victory, maybe then, if the son wants, we'll sit down and talk to him about this topic. And now there's no need to talk too much. We have to do our job," the brave driver concludes our conversation.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
