Living war stories: how Slutskyi Oleg stood up for Ukraine
He did not dream of returning to the army. He was not going to fight. But on the morning of February 24, 2022, the world turned upside down. And with it, Oleg's life.
In the 90s, he had already served, commanded a detachment, trained sergeants. It seemed that the page had been turned. But in 2022, everything changed in a matter of hours.
When Russian missiles crossed the border with Ukraine, Oleg was on a business trip. But without hesitation, he returned. And from the first days he stood in line for the military training unit.
First there was Kyiv - but there were not enough places in the military registration and enlistment office, then he ended up in the local territorial defense, and then in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“We were sent to the Donetsk region. A simple company, simple people. A machine gun, a trench, the silence of the night, in which you can hear every step of the enemy.”
In his hands is a Browning M2, a heavy machine gun. The companions have night sights. At night, there is fire on the DRG. During the day, there is land that does not have time to cool down.
Oleg does not like loud words. He says:
“We did not have heroism. We simply sat in the trenches. But we knew: if not us, then no one.” In those months, the trench was home. Sometimes, napkins instead of water. After the war, not only memories remained. Connections remained. Brothers who became closer than friends. Because in conditions where every little thing is worth a life, humanity is manifested more brightly than anywhere else.
When he returned, there was no fanfare, no medals — there was fatigue. Adaptation to peaceful life is slow. But it is progressing.
Oleg believes that we should talk about the war honestly, without embellishment. Because behind every news feed is reality.
“There are things that no one talks about. About how women survive in the army. How the smell of sweat mixes with the smell of fear. How you just get used to shelling. When you are being shelled for 17 hours, you sleep not because of time, but because of what excludes you. You do not live in plans. You live in the moment. ”This story is another reminder: the war continues. And even when someone returns, others are still there. In the same trenches, in the same conditions.
“We held on because our brothers were nearby. And also because the volunteers brought what was missing.”
Therefore, supporting the army is not just a formality. It is real help that saves lives. It is warm socks in winter. It is a first-aid kit during shelling.
This story is not just about weapons or the front, it is about choice, about dignity and responsibility, about a courageous man who went through the war, keeping his order and faith. We collect the truth firsthand — from those who were on the front line. Your courage is our memory.