The 103rd separate brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine performs combat missions to protect the country from the occupiers in Donetsk region.
During this time, the fighters of the brigade not only held the defined line of defense and freed several settlements of the region from the Russian troops. In addition to the direct performance of its duties, the brigade helps residents of front-line villages and towns, facilitates their evacuation, and, together with volunteers, delivers aid to those who need it.
And recently, in one of the villages of the Donetsk region, the fighters of the brigade installed a sculpture of the Mother of God. It is very symbolic that the solemn opening of the sculpture fell precisely on October 14 – the church holiday of the Intercession and the Day of Defenders of Ukraine. After all, more than 170 years ago, the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God was built and opened in the same village. However, after the arrival of Soviet power, the church was destroyed.
“The Armed Forces of Ukraine, in particular, and the 103rd brigade, not only liberate Ukrainian lands from the occupiers. They are also bringing Ukraine back here. They are bringing back here Ukrainian culture and traditions that were leveled and eradicated by the Soviet regime. There is no doubt that a soldier with a blue-yellow flag on a chevron will be associated with liberation, with confidence in the future, with peace for these residents,” commented the event commander of the 103rd brigade, Colonel Valery Kurko.
The sculpture was completely built with the funds and efforts of the brigade’s servicemen. Residents of the village as well as servicemen of the brigade gathered for its opening. It was solemnly consecrated by the chaplain of the brigade, Fr. Nestor