This is a foreign soldier on the Southern Front in Ukraine. He came to Protect a Volunteer with a request for help to repair his vehicle. Many soldiers use their own personal vehicles that they purchased themselves. That's a big financial burden for them and the repairs from the work they do are ongoing.

We helped him out to cover the repair cost. Repairing vehicles is critical to keeping EVERYTHING going. We have far more requests to buy vehicles or repair vehicles than we can handle but you can help.

Donate here to keep soldiers on the Southern Front (they are the most undermanned and under-resourced and where the most foreign troops are helping) keep moving with new vehicles and vehicle repairs:

https://givebutter.com/Southern_Front

This is 501c3 compliant and runs through our partner UFL. Protect a Volunteer makes all purchases and vets all requests for help.

Bohdan Krotevych, Lt. Col (retired), former chief of staff of 12th brigade "Azov", and defender of Mariupol, posted this yesterday evening.

Translation:
"The President has announced that tomorrow he will speak with the commanders of combat brigades. Therefore, today I want to address the personnel of these brigades.

Tomorrow your commanders will have the opportunity to tell the truth about what is happening in the army, or to keep silent. You know far better than I do the price of such silence and understand what consequences it can lead to.

I recognize that not every officer is prepared to take on such responsibility. Some are concerned about themselves and their position. Some fear for their unit, understanding that after a frank assessment of the actions of the Commander-in-Chief, their people may be directed toward a failing sector or left without proper supplies.

At the same time, in unofficial conversations, the majority of commanders express their true attitude toward the situation. They speak about it among themselves, write in personal messages, even those who publicly posted complimentary posts.

Therefore, I appeal to the military personnel of combat brigades: help your commanders find the courage. Talk with them. Ask them tomorrow to say exactly what they actually think. What they say to you, to your fellow soldiers, and write in private messages.

What hangs in the balance is the existence of Ukraine. The Army remains the principal guarantee of our state's existence. Concealing the real state of affairs today creates a threat to the entire country.

You swore an oath to the Ukrainian people. Your commanders bear responsibility for you, for your lives, and for the combat readiness of their units. That is precisely why their honesty before the Supreme Commander-in-Chief is part of this responsibility.

Help your commanders take this step. Help them speak the truth. The future of Ukraine depends on their courage and your position."

Soldier Yuriy Panasenko, callsign Tikhyi, fell in battle against the occupiers near the city of Kreminna in Luhanshkchyna on July 3, 2023. He was 36 years old.

Yuriy was born on December 28, 1986, in the city of Novoukrainka, Kirovohrad Oblast. He studied at the local secondary school No. 7. Later, he obtained a profession as a tractor driver at the Novoukrainka vocational school No. 40. He got married and moved to the village of Novomykolaivka in his native oblast. He worked as a driller at the Kapustynske granite quarry. In his free time, he loved fishing and repairing machinery.

In March 2023, the man was drafted into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 95th Separate Air Assault Brigade. He held the position of machine gunner.

"My husband was a very brave, kind, and sincere person," said Olena Panasenko.

The paratrooper was buried at the Alley of Heroes in the cemetery in his native Novoukrainka.

At home, his parents, wife, and daughter were waiting for him.

The Black Sea has some stunning views these days.

Take a look🙂‍

Featuring:

⚓️ 6 oil tankers — hit

⚓️ 1 cargo ship — hit

⚓️ 1 tugboat — hit

The Tankercide continues💚

source: https://bsky.app/profile/beefeaterfella.bsky.social/post/3mqosknd2hc2p

Captain Anton Zahriichchuk, under the pseudonym Kayman, fell on April 3, 2022, in Mariupol in the Donetsk region. He sustained fatal wounds while crossing from the seaport to the Azovstal plant. His family received confirmation of his death several months later. The defender was forever 28.

Anton was born on August 1, 1993, in Kryvyi Rih in the Dnipropetrovsk region. He studied at Gymnasium No. 10 there. He obtained a specialty as a car mechanic at Vocational School No. 59. He practiced boxing and weightlifting. He was a candidate for master of sports in weightlifting.

"My brother was fair since childhood. You could always rely on Anton. He never doubted his actions. He helped friends, even if it went against his own interests. Anton was tall and strong. So, jokingly, they called him 'the great kind soul.' He loved people and had a compassionate heart," said his brother Yevhen.

Since 2016, Anton participated in the ATO and OOS.

In 2020, he graduated from the National Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine in Kharkiv in the field of "Military Management," receiving a bachelor's degree. After assignment, he continued his service in the ranks of the 21st Separate Guard Corps named after Petro Kalnyshevsky. He held the position of communications platoon commander.

He performed his official duties conscientiously, was distinguished by a sense of patriotism, and earned respect and authority among the command and personnel of his unit.

On February 8, 2022, as part of a company-tactical group, he set off for another rotation to the Donetsk region. His brothers-in-arms, with whom he defended Mariupol, said that Anton was very brave and carried many military personnel and civilians out from under shelling. On March 30, the officer last established contact with his relatives.

Anton Zahriichchuk was buried in the Honorable Burials sector of the Central Cemetery in Kryvyi Rih.

At home, his wife, parents, and brother were waiting for him.

During his lifetime, the warrior was awarded the medals "For Military Service to Ukraine," "Veteran of War – Participant in Combat Operations," decorations "For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation," and posthumously – the Order "For Courage" III degree and the breast badge "For Merit to the City" III degree.

In August 2024, a memorial plaque in honor of the fallen National Guard member was opened on the facade of Kryvyi Rih Gymnasium No. 10.

***

The Memorial platform honors the memory of heroes together with the "Heart of Azovstal" project, which supports the defenders and female defenders of Mariupol and their families. Together, we are creating a series of stories about those who, at the cost of their own lives, defended Mariupol.

Made by Freeonis

Read the full editorial here: https://kyivindependent.com/editorial-by-sacking-fedorov-zelensky-risks-turning-tide-of-war-back-in-russias-favor/

source: https://bsky.app/profile/antongerashchenko.bsky.social/post/3mqrdyllvz22m

Russian paratroopers captured a Ukrainian position and took prisoners. But Ukrainian infantry launched a lightning-fast counterattack, recaptured the Russian-held position, and freed two of their comrades.

source: https://bsky.app/profile/kingraccoondog.bsky.social/post/3mqqbb2544s2o

On July 15, Ukrainians mark the Day of Ukrainian Statehood — a day that reminds us that our struggle for freedom and our own state has lasted not for years, but for centuries. Ukrainian statehood traces its origins back to the Kyivan Rus’, Prince Volodymyr the Great, and the Baptism of the Kyivan Rus’. It continues today in the independent state we are defending from russian aggression. It is no coincidence that this holiday coincides with the Day of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus’ and the commemoration of Prince Volodymyr — one of the key state-builders in our history. Ukraine was made to be independent. Ukraine was born to be free. And no russia — no empire, no occupation, no attempt to erase our history — will ever be able to take that away. We were free. We remain free. And Ukraine will be free. 🇺🇦