Stories of war: military man Ivan Radukan from Odesa

For your attention, Ivan Radukan’s story about the beginning of the war and participation in the defense of Ukraine:

«My name is Ivan Radukan, I am twenty years old. My family is small – it’s dad Ivan, mom Alyona and brother Valeriy. Now I continue to study at the Kyiv Institute of the National Guard of Ukraine. I myself wanted to study in such a structure, I went to serve as a volunteer, I wanted to protect my native country from enemies.

The day before the war, on the eve of the Russian invasion, I was standing outside with two guys from my group. Around midnight, I corresponded with my friends, my sister, my mother. From 01:00 to 05:00 on February 24, I had a scheduled rest, I went to rest, and woke up exactly at 05:00. Somewhere at 05:25, the officer in charge of the course «flies in» and lifts the entire course, at first I thought that we had some kind of training, so I started to equip myself and ran to my friends at the checkpoint. My assistants say to me, «comrade junior sergeant, explosions, the war has begun!» My first thoughts were that I didn’t realize that this was actually happening. But later, when the explosion rang out next to us, I understood everything. This is war…

I started doing everything I was taught, reacted normally and most importantly did not get confused. The first call and message I received was from my mother, she was in tears and said she was worried. I tried to calm her down, telling her that everything would be fine. We weren’t going to leave anywhere, I’m conscripted, and even if there was an opportunity to go, I wouldn’t go. Because this is my land. I was born here, I will die here!

Before the war, I was actively involved in sports. I have small achievements: candidate for master of sports in mixed martial arts, repeatedly took prize places in Ukraine, I have many prize places in mini-football and table tennis. Parents are entrepreneurs. It’s a bit difficult right now, but God is helping us. Mom knows French well, dad used to practice kickboxing. I am not at home now, the last time I was at home was seven months ago, January 9 to be exact (before the war started).

I miss my family, but I can bear it mentally and physically. Of course, the parents’ first reaction was shock. They couldn’t accept it, they tried to pull me out. But they understood that I would stand my ground until the end, so they resigned themselves. I probably remember the first day of the war, February 24, most vividly. I want to wish all of us a peaceful sky and to believe, because faith in a person creates miracles.

Glory to Ukraine! Ukraine above all!»

Author: Valentina Buzyla, EqualNet network

Translation: Anastasiia Tambovtseva, EqualNet network