-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
A 19-year-old infantryman serving in the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, known as "Malyi," shared his experience of capturing three Russian soldiers during an assault.
He signed a contract in the spring of 2025 under the"18–24" program . His decision to join the military followed the death of his cousin in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to Unian on April 8.
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The event took place during a mission to clear enemy positions. The soldier noted that the situation was driven by high levels of adrenaline. He was ordered to enter a dugout that was expected to be empty.
However, upon approaching, he saw a rifle and body armor nearby. He entered the structure and found Russian soldiers hiding in a back room.
"I shouted to the guys on the radio: 'Bring more grenades!'" the soldier said. He remained alone at the position for a moment while his team moved back. When another soldier arrived to help, they decided to use psychological pressure to convince the Russians to surrender.
"We said: 'Do you want to live? You have families, children. Come out, or we will throw in a thermobaric grenade!'" the soldier recalled. He noted that at that time, he had never even held such a weapon. The Russian soldiers agreed to surrender and left the dugout.
After searching the prisoners, the Ukrainian soldiers prepared to move them.
During this process, a Russian drone attacked the group. The soldier managed to jump away, but the explosion caused injuries to his leg. "I got up – the whole trouser leg was already in blood. I was afraid that an artery had been hit, but thank God, it didn't happen," he said. His fellow soldiers provided first aid and evacuated him along with the prisoners.
The soldier expressed satisfaction with his actions, stating, "I have already done something in my life."
He intends to return to military service later, though he hopes to serve in a role other than the infantry.
Earlier, the Ukrainian government launched the "Contract 18–24" program in February 2025, it was designed as a critical recruitment strategy to build a more sustainable system for replenishing the country’s forces.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated at the time that the initiative was not about compulsion, but rather provided an opportunity for young people to make a conscious choice to gain combat experience and secure financial stability within a single year.
The program allowed volunteers to choose whether they would extend their service or return to civilian life with the unique prospects that awaited them.
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-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
