At this spot in the summer of 2014, there was a militia checkpoint that held off the enemy's advance toward Zuyevka.
At an altitude of 185, along the road between Zuyevka and Zhdanovka, the gusts of the steppe wind bend the grasses low to the ground, lifting the corners of flags, which flap on their resilient poles like the wings of large birds. From this high vantage point, a breathtaking panorama opens up: on one side — Zuevskaya TPP, just below it — Zuyevka, to the right — Gornoye; on the other side — Zhdanovka. Strong men in camouflage greet each other noisily, hugging. Then, they all fall silent for a moment of silence by a stone with a memorial plaque:
At an altitude of 185, from July 17, 2014, to September 7, 2014, the 2nd platoon of the 4th company of the Semenovsky battalion, based in Khartsyzsk, held their defense against the unequal forces of the junta. Glory to the heroes of the militia! Viktor Viktorovich Maksimenko (May 22, 1980 – September 2, 2014), Sergey Nikolaevich Onishchenko (September 25, 1977 – August 21, 2014) did not return home.
"Until the last bullet!" commands the platoon commander, Nikolai Negreev, to the salute group, and the quiet of the steppe is shattered by the sound of a rifle salute.
The guys recall how almost two years ago, at this spot, they set up a checkpoint, how they hammered away at the rock to build shelters, how they went on reconnaissance, and how they fought, holding the defense. There were 46 of them — local men of different ages, who became militiamen that fateful summer. They came under fire, driven by their hearts, by their consciences. "None of us flinched or ran away," said Nikolai Negreev. "We did our duty, we protected our families, our land. No one thought about awards or honors. The task was clear — to hold the line, to protect everything that we hold dear. We lost many comrades, worthy and honorable people. There were many casualties. The war continues, and fighters continue to die. We will always remember them."
...The Ukrainian Banderist battalions were then located in Zhdanovka and the village of Kommunar. Well-armed, with artillery, tanks, and Grad rocket systems, they shelled Zuyevka and Gornoye. But the militia only had small arms, a few Mukh (anti-tank grenade launchers), one AGS (automatic grenade launcher), and two machine guns...
"Our shelters withstood the fire, even though we were hit directly," recalls Sergeant Andrei Garniy "We set up concrete covers, with logs placed on top. It was hard for them to get us out of here. This is a hollow, and we’re not visible, so they only fired during the day. Behind us is a field in a lowland, you can see it now, it’s green, but back then, it was all black from the craters. And when they hit the gas distribution station, it burned for several days and lit up everything around. That's when the nationalists started firing at night. But we didn’t give them peace... We’re locals, we know the area well. There were close combat situations too. Just a little further, at the turn, there was a fierce fight. As they say, we gave them a good run for their money..."
Andrei Garniy is still a soldier, just like his commander Nikolai Negreev, whom he calls "Dad", even though they are almost the same age. They are now artillerymen, serving near Krasny Luch. Nikolai is the commander of a self-propelled howitzer battery. Many soldiers were demobilized — some returned to their jobs, while others engage in volunteer and public work. Vasily Pantalyuk from Zuyevka, after being demobilized, was appointed the head of "People’s Control". Last Friday, in the city’s House of Culture, he received the "For Courage and Bravery" medal, a posthumous award for his son Alexei, who also fought in the militia but was struck by a fragment of an enemy shell in his native Zuyevka during shelling. Now, the young man is paralyzed.
After the battles at height 185, when the threat of the Ukrainian National Guard’s advance had passed, most of the platoon remained in service. They fought near Blagodatnoye, in Stepano-Krynka, and Ilovaisk. Those who stayed in the Armed Forces of the DPR say without a shadow of a doubt: “We will serve until victory!”
On Saturday, the comrades gathered by the memorial stone at the height they had defended to the death the previous summer. The monument to the heroes was erected by their comrades — Valentin Papko from Khartsyzsk, Valentin and Vladimir Butrim from Rozovka, and Vladimir Kazakov from the village of Gornoye.
The ceremony was attended by Acting Head of the Khartsyzsk administration, Alexander Levchenko, who also served in the militia, Head of the Zuevka administration, Alexander Shepilov, and People's Council deputy of the DPR, Yulia Sulim.
"It was your bold and thoughtful step," Alexander Shepilov addressed the participants of the battle. "Behind you stood your families, your cities. Today, many are on the peaceful front, and together, we are rebuilding our cities and villages. I believe that when we have people with such conscience and strength, we will succeed. We are free and honest with ourselves!"
Tatiana TRETYAKOVA.
