“War is not Counter-Strike: people are killed here": military personnel on endurance and motivation

Every year on December 6, Ukraine celebrates the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Since 2014, the opinion about the military has changed dramatically — they are trusted more than the official government or the church. The full-scale war reinforced this and turned the Ukrainian military into gods.

On this day, "Svidomi" asked the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Hospitallers volunteer battalion, who work closely with the Armed Forces, what keeps them in the war, what they are fighting for, and what civilians should realize about the war.

Paramedic of the "Hospitallers" volunteer battalion

In civilian life: Manager in reform in Suspilne, teacher of information technologies

My motivation is quite selfish. I have a feeling that if I don't go to war and defend my freedom, I won't have enough self-respect for myself. This is a pure, genuine, and absolute desire to defend my freedom and dignity. And the most effective place where I can do it is on the front line.

The next reason is the opportunity to save the lives of the best people. To save lives not carelessly but in a high-quality and effective way.

It is worth remembering that a full-scale war in Ukraine and victory in this war is not only a matter for the military but a task for everyone.

It should also be understood that the servicemen are just like civilians, but mobilized or those who signed a contract and linked their lives with the army voluntarily. Every civilian can become a soldier and every soldier was once a civilian. Therefore, there is no significant difference between us.

If there comes a time, a draft notice, or an understanding that there is a need [to join the army], for example, due to the number of wounded at the Donetsk airport, in Bakhmut or near Avdiivka, during the offensive in the Kharkiv or Kherson regions, then one must be aware of the decision to go instead of the wounded.

On the other hand, civilians need to understand their responsibility. If they become military, and we, for example, work in the same area, then the argument that the turnstiles were not issued or someone does not know how to put them on, I would hardly consider as valid or fair. Many months of war have passed. Soon it will be a year since the full-scale invasion, and before that, the war in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions lasted eight years. During this time, you could effectively prepare to be a strong and well-informed fighter.

Therefore, one should not separate oneself from the war because it is going on everywhere, and the front line is only part of it. Training and being prepared to rescue those who have left due to injury or death should be a societal norm.

Scout of the 93rd Mechanized Brigade

In civilian life: Public activist

My motivation is divided into profound and situational. The profound is the foundation that I rely on in the most difficult moments at the front. Everything is based on feelings of love, so this motivation is precisely about love for my country, its culture, history, and people. If you retreat now or underperform, Russia will destroy this love by seizing the territory. And then modern-day Bucha, Izium, or three-hundred-year-old Baturyn will be repeated, and rivers of blood will continue to flow throughout Ukraine.

For the first time in the long history of wars with Russia, our generation finally has the opportunity to restore historical justice, to win and preserve our statehood. Not only that but also to deprive Russia of its statehood. The thought that you can be among the first who not only did not lose but also, for some long time, I hope, closed the question of the existence of a threat from Russia, is inspiring.

Regarding situational motivation: here we are talking about small moments that give strength and motivation here and now. There can be many of them: from messages from friends and relatives to a song, a poem, or pleasant memories from the past, after remembering which, you try to do everything to make it happen in the future too.

What is also important is the responsibility to the fallen friends. When your loved ones and brothers-in-arms die fighting alongside you, you feel a great responsibility to continue their work and carry their memory. Otherwise, their sacrifices will be in vain. We cannot betray the fallen.

The whole war consists of small moments of responsibility. You wake up at 4-5 a.m. and go to work knowing it will be difficult. But you have your fellows with you. Your laziness or lack of work can lead to people's deaths. Having fulfilled their duties, another husband/wife, father/mother, or son/daughter may return home to the family. Here and now at the moment, it gives a clear understanding of who you are and why you are doing it.

Firstly, war is not about fun or cool videos on social networks. This is unjustifiable cruelty, pain, suffering, and loss. Regardless of age, gender, or profession, everyone should be ready for it.

Secondly, society must understand what lies ahead. All soldiers are different, but all of them will need help after the war, especially psychologically. The consequences of the war will affect everyone because we are going through really terrible things. In a peaceful life, not everything should be tolerated, but at least you should try to understand and support them.

Senior rifleman of one of the companies of the 126th battalion of Territorial Defense of Kyiv

In civilian life: Delivery man

Like everyone who took up arms from the first days of the war, with whom I have the honor to serve, I did not hesitate to go to the military commissariat to join the defense of my home and loved ones.

I am from Kyiv, but my home is not limited to Kyiv. I am in the Donetsk region — and I am at home, with a beautiful view of what is also my home — the Luhansk region. And this home needs help. I need to be here.

Civilians, in my opinion, need to understand that not only the military is at war now. The war affected everyone. I was on vacation recently and kept hearing from friends that they are ashamed that the military is freezing in the trenches while they are "sitting it out" in Kyiv. But these are people who, even after having lost their job and income, will donate to the army. These are retired women who hand over a couple of thermal underwear sets and apologize that they can't do more. I want people in the rear to understand that their contribution to victory is no less than the contribution of the military.

Rifleman of one of the territorial defense brigades of Kyiv

In civilian life: IT industry worker

I am originally from Crimea, a Crimean Tatar. I left in 2014, after the start of the Russian occupation, because in the first months, we, the Crimean Tatars, had an "active position" towards the occupiers. Our people have been repressed for eight years, and I could be, at best, charged with extremism.

I already "escaped" from the occupation once. I realized that there was no point in running away a second time. I had to finally take responsibility for the future. That's why I took up arms.

I have nothing in the unoccupied territories — no home, no family/children. Crimea is all I have. Therefore, my war will also end in Crimea if I have enough luck, strength, and enthusiasm.

I am fighting for Ukraine, for Crimea, for the national Crimean Tatar autonomy within Ukraine.

It is necessary to realize and prepare for the fact that few people will return from the war. And I don't even mean death. Many people will find it difficult to return from the war psychologically. Society must understand how to work with such people, how to socialize them, and how to support them in the future.

Those who are going to enlist in the army need to realize that this is not what they imagine, this is not Counter-Strike — people are killed and maimed here.

Also, this war should become a vaccination for everyone. So that civil society in the future understands how to defend their state and their rights, and how to respond to politicians who destroy, despise, and humiliate Ukraine.

Press officer of the 93rd Mechanized Brigade Kholodnyi Yar

It was in 2015 when a close friend of mine went to war. Then I saw her in Kyiv with her brothers-in-arms — their unity and involvement in historical events prompted me to join a volunteer battalion. I joined the 49th Separate Battalion Karpatska Sich and spent a few weeks at the front, then a week at home. Then, when the battalion became part of the 93rd Brigade, I had doubts about whether I wanted to join the army. But later, I realized that nothing but the war interests me, and to be useful in the war, I should join the Armed Forces.

I want civilians to feel protected. And I'm sorry that this is not the case due to Russian shelling. However, I want civilians to remember the extraordinary efforts of the military to hold the frontline. And how much blood they shed for Ukraine.