Mykola V. Sushchuk (Vershnytsia)

Tank commander, Senior Lieutenant Ivan Bertash: "When we approached Lohvynove, the enemy opened heavy fire on us. One BMP caught fire, then another. In the village, I noticed two tanks. To avoid exposing ourselves, we started to spin a 'carousel', coming out one after another on a small hill to shoot. The tank on the right was hit immediately. Then I shifted fire to the second one. Together with another crew, we did hit that tank. At that time, reinforcements — three T-72 tanks — approached the eastern outskirts of the village for the separatists. The situation was getting complicated, but I ordered the driver-mechanic to move towards them. Suddenly, a loud explosion occurred. Our tank shook and stopped… Smoke, flames. For a few seconds, I was coming to my senses, I called for my men, but no one responded. I started to get out of the combat vehicle, which was already on fire and could explode at any moment. Once on the ground, I began to crawl away. My eyes were burning badly, I couldn't open them. I was moving practically blind. And my left arm hurt a lot — the outer side of my wrist was scraped to the bone and burned."