Heroes of Ukraine. Oleksandr Shyrshyn miraculously survived after two tank shells hit his car

The Espreso TV channel tells the story of the man.

He signed the contract a month before the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine

Oleksandr Shyrshyn is a serviceman of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The man joined the army after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A month before the Russian attack, the soldier signed a contract with the reserve. On February 24, the man was already in the unit.

Oleksandr Shyrshyn stated: “There were some signals that there would be a war. Although the forecasts do not always come true, there was some premonition. A month before the full-scale invasion, I managed to sign a contract to understand where I should go in case of an attack. In addition, the mobilization of officers was announced, so I was ready because I was graduating from the military department and was a reserve officer. After the full-scale invasion, I understood that I had to defend my home and family. This was the reason why I joined the brigade, where I served for almost a year since February 24." 

Before the war, Oleksandr was engaged in volunteering and social activities. He was also a sales manager in an international company. He was looking for clients and preparing documents and projects. Besides this, he was in good physical shape, because he was engaged in boxing and other sports. So he went to the nearest airborne brigade.

Oleksandr claims: "I had no training. We were taken to receive equipment and uniforms. Then, in the middle of March, I was assigned to a combat unit. At first, I was a UAV operator, dealt with drones, and gradually got up to speed with the platoon commander to perform his functions. He studied on his own and watched who, what, and how does what. That's how he moved on to perform the functions of a platoon commander." 

Oleksandr Shyrshyn's company was the last to leave Zolote

The first combat missions were in the south, in the Kherson direction, in the area of Snihurivka, and then in Trudolyubivka. However, according to Oleksandr, he got his first combat experience later in the east of Ukraine. 

He recalls: "I was in a company that left Kakhovka during a serious offensive. We had a difficult period in our lives. And then these occupied borders were drawn, and the Russian forces were already entrenched there. So, there were hostilities, but not as active as at first. But in the east of Ukraine, the situation was much worse. Artillery was working more intensively, there were offensives, encirclement, and formations from different sides. Now almost nothing has changed. There was nothing very difficult for me. I lived in the east of Ukraine for three years. There were also moments when I had to go under shelling or fly to the city. I understood what it looks like in real life."

Oleksandr Shyrshyn fought in different areas of eastern Ukraine. They also defended Zolote in the Luhansk region. Then the man had an incident when he miraculously survived. 

Oleksandr says: "We were among the last to leave Zolote when the ring was closing. The day before we left, an enemy subversive reconnaissance group came across us, which we defeated. The next day we were ordered to withdraw. When my company was leaving, we were ambushed and I was wounded. Two tank shells flew into the car. I survived by a miracle. This is definitely the grace of God. The situation was difficult and unusual. At the same time, everything ended more or less normally. However, not everyone can be withdrawn. One guy stayed there, and two are considered missing. Although I think they died." 

photo source: archive of Oleksandr Shyrshyn

After being injured, Oleksandr returned to the army again. He passed only the first stage of rehabilitation and was again with his comrades. The most memorable military operation for the soldier is the liberation of Izium in the Kharkiv region. He remembers well all the movements and assaults. And also the escape of Russian forces. 

He added: "Russian forces fled from the Kharkiv region for a reason. Many people gave their lives and health to make the operation possible but the operation itself was quite easy. I think the professionalism of the Commander-in-Chief and his team played a big role here. And also every serviceman who contributed to deterring Russia's offensive. We had a lot of trophy equipment. These are radar stations, tanks, and infantry fighting vehicles. Everything works and we can use this equipment against the Russians." 

Oleksandr claims the behavior of Russians in the occupied territories does not change. They loot and destroy. 

He continues: "Many settlements have been wiped off the face of the earth. In some villages of the Kharkiv region, there is not a single house left. Everything is destroyed and ruined. We went to the places where they lived: they spoiled everything that people had. They painted on the walls and took away equipment. Nothing surprising. Everything was as it was from the beginning of the war. These are the same people." 

We were finishing the trench, and I decided to read

Oleksandr Shyrshyn became famous after a photo in a trench, which was shared on social media by historian Timothy Snyder. The warrior said the photo was taken during the second stage of the counter-offensive. 

He stated: "We were already following the river in the woods and were digging in. We were finishing the trench, and I decided to read, and the guys took a photo. I was very surprised and did not expect that Timothy Snyder would publish this photo. I respect him as a historian, he is an expert in his field. I rarely come across people of this level. This is one of the books I read during the war, one of the directions."

Photo source: archive of Oleksandr Shyrshyn. In the photo: he is in a trench with a book by Timothy Snyder

The soldier says, the military read a lot during combat missions or when they have a free minute. 

"I know many such people. It is very nice because we are definitely different from the Russian forces. Someone reads fiction, someone - professional literature, and someone - historical books," Oleksandr added. 

Now Oleksandr has transferred to another brigade and will soon go to the front again. He is convinced that he will be in the army until the Ukrainian Armed Forces need him. 

Author: Khristina Parubiy