Heroes of Ukraine: National Guard Vitaliy Merinov - from boxing coach to experienced soldier

Espreso journalist talked to National Guard Vitaliy Merinov.

Fighter of the National Guard Vitaliy Merinov is currently fighting in the Donetsk region. The four-time world champion in kickboxing, the champion of Ukraine in universal combat, the master of sports in boxing left civilian life and on February 24 went to the military units to defend Ukraine.

"It's the duty of every citizen to protect Ukraine," Vitaliy Merinov said. "When Russia began its aggression, I was with my family in Ivano-Frankivsk. At night, his wife woke me up and said that the war had begun. We heard a rocket fly over our house. That's why I didn't think for a long time and in the morning I talked to my friends about joining the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Since I used to serve in the National Guard, I knew where to go, and my things were already packed. In the evening he was in the military unit. And then at the training ground there was combat coordination, then guarded the city facilities and went to the position."

This is not the first time Vitaliy Merinov has gone to the east. He gained combat experience at the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war, in 2014. He volunteered to go to the combat zone. Then he defended the city of Siversk in the Donetsk region.

"It was already a Russian-Ukrainian war, although it was called the anti-terrorist operation," says Vitaliy Merinov. "We defended the city from Russian invaders and kept the defense. At that time, we had to fight mostly with representatives of the DPR / LPR, although there were also many Russians. Now the situation is radically different, we are fighting a professional army. In 2014, I was short-lived, and now I will fight to win."

Currently, the fighter and his comrades are defending Maryinka. According to him, during the new phase of the war we have to fight with professional fighters. Fighters of the Russian Federation, Kadyrovtsy and the Rosguard are fighting against the Ukrainian army.

"The Russians are constantly firing on the city," says Vitaliy Merinov. "At six in the morning we woke up to the sounds of enemy tanks and mortars, and the evening cannonade ended around midnight. Then, probably, they are repulsed. During the day, we engage in street fights with them, in particular throwing grenades so that the Russians do not cross our street. We do everything not to surrender positions, but to protect them from the enemy."

During one of these fights, Vitaliy Merinov received a gunshot wound to the leg. He is now recovering.

"In the morning, artillery fired as usual," said the fighter, describing the circumstances of his wound.

Vitaliy was immediately evacuated from the battlefield. He underwent surgery at the Dnipro Hospital and completed treatment in Ivano-Frankivsk. He is currently preparing for a new rotation. Meanwhile, in civilian life, his wife and one-year-old daughter are waiting for a defender. In conversation, Vitaliy is happy, because during his stay at the front, his daughter began to walk.

"Time goes by, children grow up, so we have something to protect," adds Vitaliy Merinov. "I'm sure we will become a powerful country. "

All photos were provided by the National Guard press service.