He pulled two soldiers on himself: the story of a National Guards defender from Crimea who died fighting for Ukraine

Mykhailo Zahorodnii, Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia — MONDAY, 25 JULY 2022

Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Ukrainian fighters have demonstrated many examples of heroism and self-sacrifice.

This is the story of Mykola Lanovenko, a Ukrainian defender, which has been shared by the National Guard of Ukraine on Facebook. 

His brothers-in-arms call him a true patriot. Mykola was from Crimea, which he had to leave after the occupation of the peninsula by the Russians.

After that, he continued his service in the Vinnytsia unit of the National Guard, was the commander of a patrol platoon and dreamed of becoming an officer.

Mykola showed great courage and saved the lives of several soldiers in the battles near Volnovakha.

This event happened near the village of Solodke, Donetsk Oblast, where militants fired heavy artillery and large-calibre shells at the defenders of the National Guard.

Ukrainian soldiers courageously held their positions despite the fact that the village's surroundings were littered with shells and debris.

"An enemy attack started from the sky, and then armoured vehicles advanced towards our positions," remember the soldiers of the unit in which Mykola served.

The Russians had a five-fold advantage in manpower, but thanks to the Ukrainian artillery, the National Guard counterattacked and forced the Russian invaders to retreat.

During the battle, the commander and deputy of the National Guard unit were severely wounded. Mykola saved them by literally carrying his brothers-in-arms, who were bleeding, to a shelter.

"If it weren't Mykola Lanovenko, I wouldn't be alive. I would have been lying there bleeding for a few more minutes. Yes, Mykola saved me. Through the radio, my brother-in-arms Anton shared approximately where we were.

There, in the yards nearby, there were subversion and reconnaissance groups (SRG). Despite the threat to his own life, Mykola followed us, took responsibility and pulled me out with Anton," said Petro, the unit commander, with sadness.

After being injured, Mykola took command of the unit, then a few days later the National Guard unit was again fired upon by artillery.

As a shell exploded, Mykola was hit by most of the fragments as he protected his brothers-in-arms with himself.

"Mykola was a smart and clever fighter. And most importantly, he was devoted to his work and the Motherland. It was a great honour to serve with him.

 I owe my life to the Master Sergeant, he saved me on the battlefield," recounts Anton, his comrade.

Master Sergeant Mykola Lanovenko was posthumously awarded the State Order "For Courage" of the third degree for his heroism.