Our heroes
«Kvas»: A feat worthy of the highest respect
Call sign “Kvas.” Senior combat medic of a mechanized battalion company. His duties include providing first aid, evacuating the wounded, and accompanying infantrymen to their positions. As the team leader, he receives orders from his commanders, boards a “MaxxPro” armored personnel carrier with his comrades, and heads to the combat mission site.
«Norman»: A story of courage
In war, you often meet people who are hard to imagine in military uniform. Artem Antipov, or “Norman” as his brothers-in-arms call him, is one of them. Until recently, at 48, he was managing a branch of the insurance company “PZU Ukraine” in Kryvyi Rih.
His days were spent between office routines, client meetings, and corporate reports. But on March 3, 2022, this quiet life was left behind.
A summons from the military commissariat, a quick medical examination — and Artem was already in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
«Ramzes»: Commander of the machine-gun platoon of the 23rd mechanized brigade
The commander of the machine gun platoon of the 23rd Separate Mechanized Brigade with the call sign “Ramses” was born in the village of Polkova Mykytivka in the Kharkiv region. He lived an ordinary life, worked in electric and gas welding, until the full-scale invasion occurred. From the first days, Ramses joined the territorial defense, and later found himself in the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center of the Kharkiv region.
During the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region, his unit was returned to his home district, and after its disbandment, he joined the ranks of the 23rd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
«Smuga»: A Journey from Donetsk Oblast — to the Infantry, Through Occupation, Battles, and Losses
Dmytro Smaglyi, call sign “Smuga,” is a second lieutenant and commander of a motorized infantry company in the motorized infantry battalion of the 23rd Mechanized Brigade. This unit was previously known as the 426th Separate Rifle Battalion. His personal story is that of a man whom the war did not merely catch up with, but forced to return again and again to where it all began: to the Donetsk region, to his native land, to battle.
“Yan”: Six years in uniform before the first platoon at war
He is 21. He has already spent six of those years in uniform. A lieutenant with the call sign “Yan,” and a platoon commander in the 23rd Mechanized Brigade, he joined the brigade in July 2025 — immediately after graduating from the National Army Academy in Lviv.
“Varlam”: From Machine Gun to Drone
His call sign is “Varlam.” He is the sergeant major of the unmanned aerial vehicle platoon in the mechanized battalion of the 23rd Separate Mechanized Brigade. His war did not begin at a drone control station—but in a security booth in Zaporizhzhia.
“Supra”: Motivation Born of War
His call sign is “Supra.” He is the commander of a mortar battery in the mechanized battalion of the 23rd Separate Mechanized Brigade. For him, joining the army was no accident. It was a decision that had been brewing for years — born of pain, anger, and deeply personal motivation.
“Fanat”: The Tank as a Calling
He is 21. His name is Oleg, and his call sign is “Fanat.” He is the commander of a tank platoon in the 23rd Mechanized Brigade. His military career began long before he reached the front lines — back when he was just fifteen.
