Ukraine soldier joins drone unit because of “professional Counter-Strike skills”

The 100th Volyn Brigade press service shared the soldier's story, reported by Espreso TV.

Nazariy, also known as Joker, volunteered to defend Ukraine in late summer 2023, when he was 22 years old.

"My brother Ivan has been defending the homeland since the first days of the full-scale invasion, fighting in the 72nd Brigade named after the Black Zaporizhzhia Cossacks – he was a role model. Also, since I was 15, I was seriously into computer games and later became a professional Counter-Strike player, which is why I consciously wanted to join the UAV unit," says Nazariy.

The story behind the soldier's call sign is also quite unique.

"It was shortly after I joined the 100th Brigade following the training center. We were just getting to know each other, and the commander allowed us to visit a burger joint in one of the frontline towns for the first time. While happily devouring my sandwich, I got ketchup all over myself. And then someone just says, 'Buddy, you’re a real Joker!'" Nazariy smiles as he recalls.

In a year and a half in the military, Joker has made a significant contribution to the effort of clearing Ukrainian land of Russian personnel and equipment. Nazariy is not planning to slow down: "I really can’t wait to return home after the victory and hug my parents – Olena Volodymyrivna and Yuriy Andriyovych – tightly. After that, we’ll see, maybe I’ll even think about continuing my military career."