"When you're on your way to a position, you can't make a mistake": a National Guardsman describes fighting in the forest near Kreminna

Shatun (his nom de guerre) is a member of the National Guard of Ukraine. He was born in Sumy Oblast. Today he takes an active part in the battles near Kreminna, where he performs many important tasks.

The National Guardsman told us his story. 

Shatun currently works as an armoured personnel carrier driver and mechanic. When the full-scale war began, he was serving with the 15th Slavic Regiment, which he joined after completing his military service.

Shatun carried out defensive operations in the northern part of Donetsk Oblast, transporting personnel and delivering ammunition.

"It can be tough at times. Sometimes vehicles can break down at just the wrong moment. Then you need to react quickly to save yourself and the guys," Shatun says.

He also recalled the defence of Sloviansk, which is highly significant because of its strategic position. Shatun says the Russians should not have been allowed into the city. But his comrades had to retreat because they were getting to the city centre.

"We stayed in the vicinity of the city for quite a while. Time passed, and we were tasked with moving to the Kreminna front," says Shatun.

Finally, he recalled the evacuation measures in the Serebrianka Forest. He says things are extremely difficult there because the soldiers are constantly under fire.

"The enemy outnumbers us in terms of artillery. The road is under their fire control. When you go to a firing position, you can't make a mistake because, let's say, 200 metres, and the enemy is right there. They attack you before you manage to reach your position. But we're standing our ground - no one's going to run away," Shatun says.

Earlier, we told the story of a National Guardsman who survived battles near Kreminna.

We’ve also written about a serviceman with the call sign Scar who participated in combat operations in the Serebrianka Forest.

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