Veterans who went through the war, were injured, but did not lose the main – inner core and the desire to go further work at Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs today. They did not just adapt to civilian life, but became part of the university team. At the same time, the institution is actively represented at regional, all-Ukrainian and international competitions in ampfootball and sitting volleyball, proving that strength – is not only about physical capabilities, but about character.
Yevhen Savchenko: from sapper to mentor
Yevhen Savchenko – is a Specialist of the Department of Social and Humanitarian Work and National-Patriotic Education. He has been working at the university for more than half a year. He learned about the possibility of employment on the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. An additional impetus was the advice of a brother-in-arms who already worked at the university.
Before working at the university, Yevhen served as a sapper in the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Bakhmut direction became a difficult challenge for him.
«I took part in the so-called assault actions, got entrenched, came with a brother-in-arms to clear mines, cleared mines, left, the friend blew himself up, I ran to pull him out. Pulled, blew myself up», – recalls the veteran.
After the injury, a new stage of – rehabilitation began, adaptation to life with a prosthesis, search for one's place in a peaceful environment. One of the main problems was finding a job.
«I have a military education and it is actually not suitable for a civilian structure. And then I met Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs, which allowed me to combine my training, my rehabilitation and treatment. And I am very glad that I finally found the structure where I can go to work», – emphasizes Yevhen.
Yevhen is active in sports and represents the university in sitting volleyball competitions.
«To some extent adrenaline, the excitement of the game team. I relax, I get distracted from work, routine. From constant walking on the prosthesis, my leg hurts a lot, during training the prosthesis was removed, I went to the playground, I get distracted, I forget about everything», – emphasizes he.
Equally important is his daily work with cadets. Communication between veterans and young people – is informal lessons of responsibility and courage. Through personal experience, through honest conversations, the future generation of law enforcement officers is formed. It is a living transmission of knowledge and values that cannot be read in a textbook.
Oleksii Zamirko: find your place after the war
Oleksii Zamirko – is a Specialist of the Department of Service Organization. He also works at the university for more than half a year. He made his combat journey as part of the 79th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In 2015, he received a mine-explosive wound and lost both limbs during combat missions in the East of our country.
After a long recovery, the question of further professional realization arose. He learned about the program of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for veterans from the official website.
«The system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs wants to see veterans, invites them to work, there are various units. I became interested in it, thought about it, then went to the official page of the MIA, saw the information there, filled out a questionnaire. And soon they called me from KhNUIA and offered me to come for an interview. Cool, I like it, since the conditions created for me by the state are already cool», – says Oleksii.
Sports also occupy a significant place in his life. Oleksii also competes in sitting volleyball competitions, representing the university at various levels.
«Sports are a must. Sports to whom you like. Even if there is nothing to do, coming to the gym to the same boys and men and just being with them – is already a useful time. And it really helps», – emphasizes the veteran.
At the same time, Oleksii emphasizes that after returning from the war, it is important to talk not only about strength and invincibility, but also about the complex internal experiences of veterans: «Now they tell a lot, show the indomitable, the invincible. But I want to raise the topic specifically about those who broke down, so that attention is paid to them as well. Few people talk about cases of psychological difficulties that occur after returning. You need to pay attention to this. In life it is. And the most important thing is – to remain yourself in any situation, regardless of anything».
Their stories – is an example of how combat experience transforms into professional maturity in peaceful life.
Today, they remain in the ranks of – working, training, communicating with cadets, passing on their experience and forming a generation of future professionals who understand the cost of security and the power of team support.
