Volodymyr S. Pushkaruk (Kotyk)

The story of one photograph. The tragedy of three friends… From left to right: Skif, Mraka, Kotik. Skif is a true hero, awarded the Order of the Red Star back in Afghanistan. Mraka is an entrepreneur, the owner of a construction company, went through the Maidan and then volunteered for "Donbas." Kotik is a master of sports of international class and simply a very good person. Of the three, only Mraka is alive. With a serious injury, he will have to undergo many more surgeries, but he is alive. The sniper aimed for his helmet — hit just below. The bullet took off his lower jaw and part of his tongue. It is difficult for him to talk and eat, but there is hope that he will soon be sent for treatment to Germany or Canada, where doctors will reconstruct everything. Skif was also in the sniper's sights, but he could not be saved. And Kotik… The shelling began with artillery and mortars. Heavy fire. Outside, by the fence, a tied-up dog could not find its place. The owner forgot about him, or maybe he had already been killed by that time… Everyone rushed to the basement, to the shelter, but Kotik ran to the dog to untie it, to take it with him to the basement, to save it, but a shell exploded too close…