A former courier from Lviv region with the call sign “Lucky” now serves as a junior sergeant and driver of an M113 tracked armoured personnel carrier in the rapid response border commandant’s office “Shkval” of the 7th Border Carpathian Detachment. He admits that he joined up so that the war would not come to his home, and he consciously chose a combat unit.
“Lucky” joined the ranks of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in January 2025. At first he served in Lviv region and planned to become a dog handler, but later decided to transfer to a combat unit because, as he says, he had come specifically to fight.
His first serious trials awaited him in Chernihiv region. During the evacuation of comrades under heavy mortar fire, an enemy fibre-optic FPV drone hit the roof of the M113 armoured personnel carrier. The vehicle caught fire, but the driver did not stop and drove for about 10 kilometres in the burning vehicle, taking people to a safe area where the crew were able to provide aid to a severely wounded serviceman.
Another episode took place later in Kharkiv region. During a night sortie, “Lucky” spotted two enemy drones heading towards Ukrainian infantry who were waiting to be evacuated. The driver pulled the vehicle forward, deliberately drawing the drones’ attention and shielding the infantry with the armour. One FPV exploded above the hatch, the other pierced the side of the vehicle. “Lucky” sustained multiple shrapnel wounds and a severe concussion, but the infantrymen survived.
After treatment, the serviceman returned to duty. He is now preparing to pass on his combat experience to others and to train his comrades to operate armoured vehicles. In Kharkiv region alone, he had to tow nine damaged combat vehicles to safety, so he jokes that he could already be putting “ticks” on the armour for every rescued piece of kit.
In the “Shkval” unit, “Lucky” values people above all — commanders who put the safety of their personnel above preserving equipment, and comrades who always stay close in difficult situations. He says that during reports the command first asks about the condition of the troops, and only then about the vehicles.
To those who are only preparing for service, the junior sergeant advises acquiring practical skills in advance that may prove useful at the front. After victory he dreams of simple things — to rest from the war, return to peaceful life and start a family. But while Russian aggression continues, “Lucky” once again takes his place at the controls of his M113 and continues to carry out his main task — protecting his comrades and Ukrainian soil.