70 meters from the enemy: cadet of the Academy about participation in the defence of Luhansk region

We are launching a series of projects “Heroes Among Us”. We will share the stories of cadets of the National Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine. The heroes of the project will talk about their combat way, achievements and motivation to study at the Academy. 

Senior soldier Denys Oleksiienko studies at the Faculty of Humanities and is a commander of the group.

The guy is originally from Kyiv and began his military career in May 2019. He served as the Head of a security post.

"From the first day of the full-scale invasion of the capital, we ensured order, organized patrols, and helped to serve at checkpoints. At that time, there was a high probability of penetration by enemy sabotage groups, and gunners were operating in the city. We detected them", –  our hero says.

Later, Denis transferred to the Guard Offensive Brigade "Burevii". He received his first "combat christening" in the area of ​​​​Serebrianskyi forestry in the Lyman direction. Denis experienced many dangerous moments, because the positions were located very close to the enemy.

"I was an infantryman. Together with my comrades, I performed combat missions, held positions and restrained the enemy. We were 70 meters from the enemy. I remember that on December 25, 2023, there was a large-scale assault on our positions. Our unit worked very well, because the lives of our comrades depended on it. Then everyone immediately took their positions, we had a difficult battle. For the first time in my life, I looked at death. However, we repelled the assault. That day I received 2 through wounds. But only soft tissues were affected", – recalls Denys.

After being wounded, Denys underwent rehabilitation for 2 months, after which he passed the military hospital commission and returned to his brigade.

Regarding entry into the Academy, Denys set himself the goal of obtaining a higher education in the specialty "Psychology". And he learned about the educational institution during the agitation campaign of cadets in the brigade where he served.

"I remember when representatives from the Academy visited our unit. I was interested in their story, because I had dreamed of being an officer since childhood. I chose the Faculty of Humanities because the profession of a military psychologist would always be relevant. After the war, there will be a lot of work. Despair, depression, panic attacks, fear, nervous disorders, change of residence, loss of relatives – all these are psychological problems that Ukrainians faced. And it is a psychologist who should work with people in emergency situations. I want to help people and make a significant contribution to my country", – our hero concludes.

Denys calls Ukrainians not to be afraid and to be ready to defend their country, to train and study military issues: "I survived because I was determined to do so. And every Ukrainian should be ready to defend their land and their beloved ones".

Department of International Relations, Information and Communication of the NANGU