Mykola P. Mykytiuk

In 2014, he graduated from the Hetman Petro Sahaidachny National Academy of Ground Forces with a degree in "Management of Mechanized Troops' Actions." "I am an officer and I must be where my guys are fighting for Ukraine's independence. This is not ATO, but a war of Ukraine against the aggressor — Russia!" He was an extremely inquisitive cadet who truly sought to master his chosen profession. Attentive in classes, Mykola easily absorbed new information. Practical exercises came easily to him. In the field, he acted confidently, making correct decisions according to the situation at hand. He never conflicted with his comrades and had friendly and equal relationships with all his classmates. That is why Mykola was respected not only by his fellow cadets but also by instructors and officers. This is how the instructors and command of the Hetman Petro Sahaidachny National Academy of Ground Forces speak of cadet Mykytiuk Mykola Petrovych. On June 21, 2014, he graduated from this educational institution, and just two days later, on June 23, he took command of the 3rd mechanized platoon of the 8th company of the 30th separate mechanized brigade. Exactly one month later, this very young man led his unit into battle. Not once during that hot summer did he deviate from his correct masculine principles and he passed through the hottest points of ATO. In October, he received his first leave. At that time, he visited the school where everyone loved and respected Kolya for his kindness combined with remarkable courage, shyness, which was backed by a charismatic and intelligent personality. "I am an officer and I must be where my guys are fighting for Ukraine's independence. This is not ATO, but a war of Ukraine against the aggressor — Russia," Mykola replied when he was offered to serve in a peaceful territory. Due to the difficult situation in the Donetsk direction, Mykytiuk's unit was sent to support our fighters in the area of the village of Pisky, from where, according to the leadership's plan, the strike group was to enter the Donetsk airport. However, due to the threat of a breakthrough by Russian troops in the Artemivsk direction, the command of the 30th Mechanized Brigade received an order to march in the designated direction. After resting for a few hours near Bakhmut, the combined unit of the 1st company and the tank platoon headed towards Debaltseve, where, under heavy fire from Russian artillery, they reinforced the positions of the 128th brigade at the crossroads of the village of Ridkodub — the city of Debaltseve — the village of Chornukhine, checkpoint "Balu." Immediately after arriving, the platoon commander assessed the situation and effectively organized the defense in this direction. Those days were hard for everyone. Encircled settlements appeared on the map like islands. The small but important railway station of the village of Ridkodub was one of them. The fighters of the 128th brigade lacked provisions and ammunition, so Lieutenant Mykytiuk repeatedly organized deliveries of ammunition to the position and evacuation of the wounded, as the shelling was so intense that not everyone could dare to take such actions. On the night of February 4 to 5, 2015, together with the mechanic-driver, soldier Cherevko, he broke through to the village three times and evacuated the wounded, repeating the same twice in the morning. Several times his vehicle came under heavy enemy fire, but that did not stop him from helping others. At "Balu," there were officers of various ranks, yet during the hottest hours of battle, it was our lieutenant who led the defense. During the day, there were such desperate battles that there was no time even to have a snack, and an empty zinc served as a toilet in the trench. The enemies attacked several times a day, both day and night. The equipment could not withstand the constant load and broke down. The knowledge gained at the academy came in handy more than once when, in a matter of minutes, he had to determine the cause of the malfunction of the BMP-2 weapon, which led to delays during firing. Therefore, he repeatedly fixed delays both at night and under fire, and sometimes repaired the guns of combat vehicles both of his unit and of the 128th brigade. On February 6, 2015, Lieutenant Mykytiuk and his combined unit repelled another enemy attack, and immediately after repelling the enemy, a massive mortar shelling began. Then the enemy launched another assault supported by T-72 tanks, and once again the stronghold held. After the enemy's unsuccessful attempt to capture the "stronghold" for the second time, enemy artillery was again deployed. The platoon commander always cared and worried about his subordinates, so he himself was an observer. A shell fell right next to the boys' shelter, and over the radio, our commander asked about the situation. "Everyone is alive!" they replied. The next shell exploded near the commander. Over the radio, it was announced: "The lieutenant has been killed." "Without him at the post, it became scary and empty; we no longer felt so confident…" his older combat comrades later admitted. The memory of the people's hero of Ukraine, a true officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykola Petrovych Mykytiuk, will forever remain in our hearts!