Heroine of the Ukrainian Front: Nurse Svitlana Saved a Battalion from Encirclement Through Courage and Quick Thinking
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine highlights a treacherous heroine whose actions not only thwarted an enemy attack but also possibly saved the lives of an entire hundred Ukrainian soldiers. The story of nurse Svitlana from the 128th Territorial Defense Brigade has become a real example of unprecedented bravery, contributing to the resilience of Ukraine’s resistance on its toughest fronts. According to the representatives of the General Staff, this event took place the day before, when the battalion’s positions were in ruins in the Old Major district. It was there, amidst destroyed buildings and air raid alerts, that a night unfolded where a heroic act could change the course of the battle. At that moment, the unit had lost its command: the platoon leader was wounded or evacuated, and the soldiers found themselves under heavy pressure from the enemy — armored vehicles and airborne troops attacking from the rear. As stated by the General Staff on Facebook, Svitlana was precisely at the platoon’s support point when a powerful Russian counterattack began. Despite the difficult situation, she did not panic. The woman quickly took command, actively coordinating her comrades’ actions via radio, receiving instructions from the commander who was monitoring the situation through video transmission from the battlefield. She held the defense together with other soldiers, returning fire on the enemy and trying to stop the advance of Russian forces. When the decisive moment came and it became clear that encirclement was imminent, Svitlana made a radical decision — she took a disposable grenade launcher and moved toward the enemy. According to her, she asked her comrades to hold their positions and not to leave. Her move was risky, but at a critical moment, it helped to interrupt the enemy’s advance. She circled around a group of assault troops that had approached too close — just two buildings away — and fired a shot through the window of a building where Russian soldiers were hiding in cover. The accurate shot resulted in the destruction or retreat of the enemy group, and the subsequent enemy attack was thwarted. According to official information from the General Staff, this heroic deed not only disrupted the enemy’s assault but also prevented the encirclement of the Ukrainian unit. This allowed the soldiers to carry out a rotation in a few days and safely evacuate the fighters to a secure location. “The soldiers’ conversations about Svitlana sounded roughly like this: ‘Guys said: You probably saved us!’, — the nurse shared. — ‘And what could we do then? Just wait for the enemy to kill us all?’” Her words vividly illustrate her indomitable character and belief in victory. For her courage and heroism, Svitlana was awarded the Cross of Land Forces — the highest honor recognized by the Ukrainian military. It is not just a symbol of recognition but also a confirmation that true heroes exist among Ukrainian volunteers and soldiers. It is worth noting that Svitlana is a former nurse with many years of experience. She voluntarily went to fight on the frontlines, bringing extensive medical expertise, including working in the intensive care unit at the Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro. Like other Ukrainian fighters, she trained multiple times in training grounds, studying and practicing with different types of ammunition and weapons. Interestingly, her son, also a volunteer, tragically fell in battle near Bakhmut, underscoring the high price Ukrainians are paying for freedom and independence. Currently, Svitlana firmly holds the defense on the Zaporizhzhia front as part of her battalion, continuing to fight for her country and its future. This story vividly illustrates the courage and uncompromising spirit of Ukrainian heroes who, despite personal losses and incredible risks, go to the end for Ukraine’s unstoppable freedom. Their example inspires hundreds of people and reminds us that heroes are among us, capable of incredible deeds in the fight for truth and the future of their homeland.