A Ukrainian combat medic took charge when the moment demanded it most in the ruins of a village in the embattled Zaporizhzhia region. Known only by her first name, Svitlana, a member of the 128th “Dyke Pole” Territorial Defence Brigade, was thrust into command during a fierce Russian assault that aimed to encircle and overwhelm Ukrainian defenders. Her quick thinking, grit and exceptional bravery turned the tide of a deadly confrontation.
Svitlana, previously a senior intensive care nurse at the Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro, had volunteered for Ukraine’s Territorial Defence Forces at the onset of Russia’s full scale invasion in 2022. Like her fellow soldiers in the 230th Battalion, she underwent months of intense weapons training, including with grenade launchers. Still, she acknowledged that no training can fully prepare someone for the brutal reality of war.
During the attack, Russian armoured and airborne troops moved in swiftly. Ukrainian forces were temporarily left without a commander. At that critical juncture, Svitlana assumed control. Taking orders by radio from the battalion commander who was monitoring the battle via live video feed, she orchestrated the defence of the strongpoint with remarkable composure and resolve.
The enemy forces, having flanked the unit and occupied a house behind Ukrainian lines, were close to cutting off escape and resupply routes. Understanding the peril, Svitlana ordered her comrades to hold their ground and not fall back. Then, seizing a single-use grenade launcher, she flanked the enemy position herself, standing up and firing directly into a window of the house where Russian troops were stationed. The direct hit neutralised the entire assault group.
Thanks to Svitlana’s decisive action, the Russian attempt to surround the strongpoint collapsed. Days later, her unit was able to rotate safely out of the frontline area. The General Staff of Ukraine praised her actions, noting that her intervention may have saved numerous lives and prevented a potentially disastrous outcome.
She has since been awarded the Cross of the Ground Forces by the commander of the brigade, adding to her already impressive list of honours, including two Golden Crosses. Svitlana, however, remains humble, saying, “I even felt awkward. I already have so many awards and there are others who’ve been nominated but not yet recognised.”
Svitlana’s courage carries personal weight. Her son, also a volunteer, was killed in combat near Bakhmut. She continues to serve with a solemn vow to protect others, honouring his memory by saving lives on the battlefield. After receiving her latest award, she returned directly to her post in the Zaporizhzhia region.
