March 8, 2016 / Internet edition "Censor.NET"
"War is the fight of will. If you are not ready to sacrifice everything - then you have already lost! Live in such a way that the fear of death has never confused your heart. Do not bother anyone to believe in what they believe, respect others and their views, and demand the same respect to yourself. Love your life, do the life better, improve everything around you. Strive to live long for the good of your people, and when your time comes - just die, and do not be like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so, that when their time comes, they weep and pray to be given more time to live their life differently ...Sing your death … and having died like a hero, come back home! ".
These words from the "Act of Valor" movie about the US Marines came to my mind to remember two Ukrainian Special Forces officers of the Marine Corps, who heroically died in the battle under Dokuchayevsk on March 4, 2016.
That day, the Special Forces group of the 73rd Special Operations Maritime Center carried out a task on patrolling the defense line of the Ukrainian troops.
This was one of the best groups of the 73rd Center. The commander with the call sign "Trasser" is the former headmaster of the secondary school, a wonderful mentor who distinguished himself as a strong-willed commander, withdrawing his warriors from Ilovaisk.
They maintained surveillance and reached the predetermined height, at which the Russian combatants could arrange an attack on our positions.
They decided to check everything. They could not risk. They wanted only to watch and leave. But if they have not entered the height, then, the next day, death could have reached other warriors from there.
The advanced patrol was ahead, it must be so in the order of battle. There is always someone who goes ahead to be the first to discover the enemy, then, to be the first to signal danger, and the first to join the battle. Only the best go to patrols – those who are ready to the death risk.
The advanced patrol on March 4 included Yuriy Horayskiy and Oleksandr Khmelyarov.
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| Yuriy Horayskiy from Zbarazh, the warrior of the 73rd Special Operations Maritime Center died a heroic death in the battle with the enemy on March 4, 2016. |
Horayskiy is a volunteer, the former head of Zbarazh Rayon State Administration of Ternopil Oblast, who went to the army a year ago. When Yuriy was fired, he didn't try to stay at state service, but immediately went to the front.
Khmelyarov is a professional warrior, career Special Forces officer. He is the native of Odessa oblast and lived in Odessa.
The situation that happened is what usually happens at war. The enemy's reconnaissance group (up to twenty people) has also entered the height.
They saw each other all of a sudden, the distance was 20 meters.
Yuriy Horayskiy and Oleksandr Khmelyarov entered the battle. The advanced patrol completed the task – the enemy didn't manage to hit the entire group.
Our warriors turned round and opened fire at the enemy with a support group. In the battle at ultra short distances only the one, ready to sacrifice everything, can survive. There were 20 meters, only 20 meters ...
Yuriy and Oleksandr died then and there.
The group received an order to an immediate withdrawal. But comrades-in-arms have not left their dead sworn brothers. Trasser decided to miss the command to retreat – they covered the enemy with fire, and went ahead. The advanced patrol took the main stream of the lead over themselves, but, thanks to the sacrifice, their comrades hit for sure. The risk was huge, but there was also a professional premeditation.
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| Oleksandr Khmelyarov from Odessa oblast the warrior of the 73rd Special Operations Maritime Center died a heroic death in the battle with the enemy on March 4, 2016. |
Soon, the IFV of the 72nd brigade came and took the dead and wounded.
The mission was accomplished.
Horayskiy was a famous politician in Zbarazh, and when he went to the front, many people have written in the local media that Yuriy wanted to self-promote himself, that no one knew where he was fighting and whether he was fighting at all. Here is the last interview of Horayskiy:
"The call of duty made me go to the war. I could not stand aside, when the young fellows ensured peace and quiet for us, in particular, for me and my family, at the frontline. The God and parents gave me health, so, I decided that I can protect my family and my land from villains myself".
Yuriy Horayskiy and Oleksandr Khmelyarov will forever be in advanced patrol in our memory and in the memory of their families.
Yuriy Butusov "Censor.NET"