Face burned, wrapped a bandage from under the bandage seeps blood. Hands wrapped too. Ears burned and shriveled.

I know that he was wounded in Logvinova. Logvinova – neck Debaltsev battle – the early morning of 9 February  spetsnaz company DNR (90% consisting of Russians – organized by volunteers).

The battle  began so quickly that the Ukrainian military stationed in Debaltseve, did not know about it. In the hours that followed the breakaway troops DNR freely burned cars coming out of Debaltseve. So was killed by deputy head of the ATO.

Special Forces moved, took the position Cossacks Ukrainian militia artillery covered. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military began to organize a breakthrough from the battle . For holding the positions was sent to a Russian tank battalion for several days by the time in the territory of the Donetsk region.

We talk in Donetsk, in the burn center at the regional central hospital.

 – February 19, I exploded. At dusk. 19 th day of the Buddhist calendar was considered the New Year. So began a year’s hard for me. ( tries to smile from his lips quickly blood flows ). Yesterday I shook their face with a bandage. I do face to dry. Operation have not yet done, because I bear worse way. When the fingers are moving, the blood flows too. I hope to get Russia to hurry.

– How were you hurt?

– In the tank. Tank battle was. I hit the enemy tank, it exploded. Got even under another tank, but it was protection, good protection was activated. He turned and hid in the forest. Then we did a rollback to a different location. And as he zhakhnet us.

Once again I tried to open the hatch. Opened. Sam got out of the tank, with the tank fell – and let’s tumble to fire extinguished. I saw a little snow – snow crawled to. Tumble, zaryhlyatsya. But as zaryhlishsya? Feel face all lit, the headset off, hands headset rented, look – with headset leather with hand peeled.

Then he put out his hands, let’s move, look on the snow. Then came the BMP, the driver ran: “Bro, bro, come here.” I look at it fire red balloon. It made me put out, I ran to him. Shouts: “Lie down, lie down” – and I lay down, still put out. The commander of a platoon of infantry pulled promedol – just remember, and I was immediately stuffed into BMP.

And we went out to fight. Then transferred to the tank, the tank, we went to some villages. And there I was a man, all pricked by something, something told me, talking to me. Then moved to Gorlovka. Too all legs stabbed in muscle promedol not to lose consciousness. Gorlovka placed in intensive care, as I recall.

Then early in the morning brought me here in Donetsk. I woke up here from what I wanted to eat. I woke up on the 20th. Well, as we could have fed.

§  §  §

Chapter Two

Дорога : Road

 – How did you get here?

– I call upon the 13th year on 25 November. Came voluntarily. This sends only contractors, but I came to Rostov, as conscripts. But I, being a draftee, gave good results – that fire training that physical. I encourage all to Chita, Chita kursovku passed, and in terms of Ulan-Ude decided to stay on the contract.

In June, wrote a report with a request. Got the second battalion. A second battalion – in the event of war is always the first echelon of leaves, in any military unit has such a unit. We were, of course, contractors in the battalion, but mostly conscripts.

But closer to the fall, in October began to collect from all of our battalions of the contract to create a battalion of them. We did not have enough in terms of contract, to make a tank battalion, so we still have to contract out of the city threw Kyahta.

We all gathered in a group. We met for four days lived together, and everything in the train.

I deferral was supposed to end on November 27. In Rostov we arrived in October, I was still deferral. So I began a contract already here. We Fifth Panzer separate brigade.

– You are not dismissed?

– No, I’m not fired.

– You went to the training?

– We were told that the training, but we knew where we were going. We all knew where we were going. I have already been set up morally and mentally, that will be in Ukraine.

We tanks still in Ulan-Ude painted over. Right on the wagon up. Paints the room, someone was on the tanks icon Guard – too. Patches – are removed when the landfill arrived. All … in order to remove the masking. Passport to the military unit left, military ID at the landfill.

And so we have experienced guys. Someone has already more than a year on the contract, someone for 20 years. They say: Do not listen to the command, we’re going to bomb the Ukrainians. Even if the conduct doctrine, then still sent Ukrainians bomb.

Generally a lot was riding trains. All we spent the night in the barracks. Before us guys, commandos from Khabarovsk were from different cities, purely from the east. One by one, you know? Every day. Our was fifth, 25th or October 27th.

Unloading ramp was in Matveyev Kurgan. While traveling from Ulan-Ude to Matveyev Kurgan, many cities have seen. 10 days riding. The closer here, the more people we have welcomed.Hands waving, baptize us. We are basically all the same Buryats. Baptize us. Laughs, the blood flowing again.

And here, too, when driven. Grandparents, children, local cross … Grandmother cry.

– What is a polygon?

– Kuz’minskii. There’s a lot of polygons. Tent cities. Some stopped, others left. Previous echelons met there. Kantemirovskaya team from Moscow was after us. There are Marines and one tank company not strong power. But our tank battalion of 31 tanks. Can be something serious to do.

– You could refuse?

– It is possible, of course. Nobody is forced. There were also those who are still in Ulan-Ude refused when he sensed that the smell of fried. One officer refused.

– The report should be written?

– I do not know. I refused. And in Rostov were those who refused. With our battalion I know of one. Ivan Romanov. We were still on kursovkam together in one company served. Man low priorities.We were at the training ground before the New Year came the commander of the Eastern Military District Colonel-General Surovikin.

Came into our tank company. All shook hands with him … Ivan took, to his home in Novosibirsk. What’s the Romanov now, I do not know. But the fact that it was possible to leave.

– Surovikin say anything about Donetsk, about Ukraine?

– Do not say that. ( Laughs ). We train until 10 days riding, various rumors were. Someone said that this is just an excuse, someone – no, really on teaching. And it happened, and then, and then. One month training was the second month, the third month.

Well, it means, exactly on the training come! Well, or to show that our unit on the border have to Ukrainians were a little scarier. Just what we have here – this is a psychological attack.

training as planned three months spent. And then … we are already at the end of the exercise the days considered. We have special people, political officer at work with staff. They bring to the meetings, they tell us. Political officer says, “wait a week, let’s go home.”

Changing our already arrived. We are told that everything will soon come platform, ship tanks, mechanics and drivers will travel by train, the rest – the commander and gunner – airplane flight from Rostov to Ulan-Ude.12:00 fly – and at home.

Then again – signal is given. And all we have left.

– When?

– Numbers on February 8 was. The captain of our group just came out and said all the guys going, willingness to number one. Willingness to number one – sit in the tank institutions. Then the column is put forward.

– Quickly leaving?

– And we are the people of war, very quickly, everything fell swoop. Duffel bag, machine – and into the tank. Tank bosses, started and drove off. All I carry with me.

When only went to the landfill, said: telephones, documents – all pass. We Kuz’minskii left to the Russian border, stood in the forest. I sat in the tank – it was still light, got out of the tank – it is already dark. Then the signal was received.

All notations we have not read. Said, beginning to march.Without it we all understand without words. Me something that I sat down in the tank, and all, most importantly, food.

– It turns out, no one – not the political officer or commanding – you did not talk about Ukraine?

– No, because and so everyone understood. Which they will chew us this mess. Patriotic vomiting us too, no one shoved. We all knew, even sitting in the same train.

– You understand that cross the border?

– Understand all that cross the border. What to do? Do not stop the same. The order is. And we all knew that we were going to and what can be.

Yet few people gave fear. Command of our fellows, doing everything consistently, accurately and competently.

– When did you know that the march go to Donetsk?

– When they learned? When read that Donetsk. This is when the call in the city … There’s an inscription – DNR. Oh, we’re in Ukraine! It was dark, the night went. I leaned out of the hatch to see the city.

A beautiful city like. Right, left – everything is beautiful. On the right side look – huge cathedral built. Very pretty.

In Donetsk, we drove to the shelter, parked. They took us to eat hot campus, then positioned in the room. Then we all went to the same room, one of our phone was. Well, the phone still someone took with him. Found radio Sputnik.

And just there was a discussion about whether there is a war here in Ukraine. And all the guests are: “No, no, no.” We are a company such lie: Well, yes.

But who is to say in the open? Our government still understands that need help, and if the official introduction of troops do, it is zalupnetsya Europe, NATO. Although you understand that NATO is also involved in this, of course, supplying them with weapons.

– You explained how much you come from?

– No. Maybe even before the end of the war.

– Have you asked?

– No. We knew that there us the whole war depends. Therefore, we have these three months and drove as Sidorov goats on exercises. I can only say that it is really prepared specifically, and our snipers, and all kinds of troops.

§  §  §

Chapter Three

Война : War

– How many of you have gone?

– It turns out 31 tanks in the battalion. We went porotno. Ten tanks in each company. For every 10 tanks was added three BMP, motolyga medical and five “Ural” with ammunition. That’s the size of the task force-latitude.

Tank battalion of about 120 people – three tank companies, support platoon, communications platoon. Plus infantry, of course. Approximately 300 people have gone. All from Ulan-Ude. Basically, most of the – Buryats.

Local looked at us, they say – you guys are desperate.And we Buddhists opened so we believe the Almighty, the three elements and rebirth. If you die, be sure to be born again.

– On the spot you have explained that you close the battle?

– No, it did not explain anything. That is the position, that the position of the closure of fire, there to watch, no one out. Who goes – on the spot. Fire.

– Your commanders went with you?

– Commanders have all the lads. There was not a commander who got scared and afraid of something. We were all on a par. Regardless, you’re a colonel or private. Because we are fighting side by side. My battalion commander.

He is now in Rostov, just burned in the tank, I … my commander, Colonel. Somewhere among 12-14 th, here in those days. Because it was necessary to release one village. I do not remember the name of … well … Village recaptured all …

We played in the carousel. This is a tactical method of combat shooting from the tank. Three or four tanks leave the line open fire, shoot, and they have run out of ammo, to replace them and send three or four tanks, and they are loaded. And changed.

Gunner kombatovskogo tank, Chip, he also burned. Mechanic mechanic … all good. You do sit in the tank, you have armor that’s Taken, a huge armor … you’re completely covered everything.

Mechanics survive much easier. In case of contact with the projectile in the tower gunner and commander usually light and mechanic is not lit, if clever – in the tank there is a button – Emergency turret rotation. It is the other way – Schuch, and you calmly vylaziesh. My mechanic so got out, got so kombatovsky mechanic.

I look at her – he unharmed, unhurt. On his watch commander … Spartacus – he lies there in the hallway. But it is not so badly burned, as I am. He immediately opened the door, and I was … I closed the gunner. Private. Tank for a long time off.

– Have been killed?

– No. There Minakov which leg blown off in the tank. By Berecz leg severed. And on the right foot in his toe not too broken. Kombat burnt, gunner Chip, Spartacus … It’s on my mind.

– You fought with the militia? Common tasks were you?

– No. They just … take another line, and when it is necessary to go further enemy dozhimat militias refuse to go. They say: we will not go there, it is dangerous. And we have the order to advance further.

And want – will not order them. Well, then you go. Do not worry, we’re almost squeezed already.

– battle is over. Everyone who was in the battle either fled or destroyed. Debaltseve now under the DNI.

– Okay. … The task performed.

– You receive help the organization of the battle?

– Yes, all set in the battle, fully surrounded and watched, observed. They tried to make forays – groups of infantry, and “Ural”, and BMP  and tanks, and what can be done. We have been ordered to shoot to kill immediately.

We shoot them. Here they break out of the battle, the way want to do, want to run away, but they have to be pressed to the nail.

They make night raids as darkens immediately dvizhuha begins. Look – and there, and there, the man in the tank goes, people went there, and of fire. Shells no regrets. Ammunition enough.

The main ammunition – in the tank. 22 projectile in a rotating conveyor inside the tank and still scatter 22. Total tank ammunition is 44 charging shell. And in the “Ural” second ammunition we had brought.

My tank was very good. Not just 72, and the tank 72b. A beshka ruled that there is scope 1K13, it is for night shooting, night surveillance, for shots with guided missiles. Guided missiles I was 9. Cumulative, shrapnel still. The main thing –

I was shown how to use it. Now hard to miss. All sorts of shelters, shelter – all strikes quietly. Assume here intelligence reports that behind the cluster of enemy infantry, infantry fighting vehicles and one two “Ural”. 

We just had two of the tank. And my, my platoon commander. So we went out and the break. And always impressed.This tank was well done, good tank. Who burned.

– Was that killed civilians?

– No. With civilian cars pulled up to the last. When it was convinced that Dill – beaten.

But there was a case where the pickup was driving, I say, “Shoot, shoot.””Right now, right now” – I say. What I fear, I’m in the tank.

Until recently looked through the scope. Look – the guy dressing white militia. Thought now would zhahnul, as it turned out, would have killed her.

And still the same APC was driving. Militias should we not say, as travel. I our shout: “Its been my!” The first time scared. His killing.

– So you do not coordinated?

– No. Militias – they are strange. Shoot, shoot. Then stop. How to go to work. No organization is not. Nope chapter boekomandovaniya all discordantly.

– What village was it?

– I do not know what it was for the town. All the same village. Everywhere devastation, all bombed.

– And how many villages you have passed?

– Just do not tell. Four villages. It was once repulsed the village, and others just stopped by … (silent ). I’m certainly not proud of it, I did. What destroyed, killed.

Here, of course, can not be proud.But, on the other hand, calms the fact that it’s all for the sake of peace, peaceful citizens who look – children, the elderly, women, men.

I’m not proud of it, of course. That shot, got …

Long silence. 

Scary. Afraid. Subconscious you all soon realize that there is a man like you, in the same tank.Well, or infantry, or any technique.

He still … same people. Of flesh and blood. On the other hand, you know that it is your enemy. Killed in what innocent people. Civilians. Children killed.

As the bastard sitting all shakes, prays that he was not killed. Begins to ask for forgiveness. God be your judge.

Few have taken. So all want to live when he prischuchit. Same person. His mother. ( Long silence). Each person has his own destiny. Maybe sad.

But none of this is not forced. With conscripts – is another matter. 2 or 3000 of 8000 of these were conscripts.

They went under duress. I also wondered what I’d do. What would you do on the spot boy of 18 years. I think it would have to go. He is ordered.

If you do not kill, they say, will kill you and your family will kill if you will not serve. The kid of theirs said: “Well, what about what to do, had to go to serve.” I say, “Were you those who kill innocent?” “There were,” – says. “And you, – I say – killed?” “Yes,” – says. ( silent ).

Those mercenaries are from Poland or any Chechens who are motivated by the idea of pure, who can not sit without war – that they must be destroyed.

– Have you seen mercenaries from Poland?

– No, but we were told that there is.

§  §  §

Chapter Four

Мирные : Peace

– Communicate with peace?

 – No. Civilians themselves came to us a lot. We have tried them not to talk helluva lot. Command said: not to engage in contacts.

When we were in Makeyevka, they all told us that 70 percent of the civilian population here – for dill, “so you will be on the alert, guys.”

In Makeyevka stopped in the city park we hid, hid technique disguised – and within an hour we began to peck mortars. All right let’s dig, dig, move to do.

Well, I climbed into the tank – I do not care. Tank of the mortar will be nothing. Shards … even so they say – if you fall into the shell “Arrows”, which is 4 meters, Gradovsky shell tank will be nothing.

The best shelter than a tank is not found. And we lived in a tank, slept sitting. Cold, but nothing, and slept.

– And you are not strained about Makeyevka? That 70 percent of local for Ukraine, suddenly the truth?

– Strained, of course. Already mentally waiting trick of all. Suddenly he’ll … well, there brought us to eat. That tea, though. We took, but did not drink. Suddenly poison. But as they say: “Russian win.Russian can only be bribed. ” ( Laughs ).

– There was no doubt: if the truth 70 percent, why come?

– There Were. But 70 percent of the population of the village for me somehow unimportant. Need to respect the people’s choice. If Donetsk wants independence, you need to give it. Here, with nurses, doctors talking. They say we have the independence and the government, as you have, and Putin.

Well, that’s the only interesting: DNR get independence – God forbid receive. What they will do? As in Stalin’s Five-Year Plan will evolve or what? The economy is not. And if the economy is not – then nothing happens.

§  §  §

Chapter Five

Семья : Family

– The only thing that Josephy Kobzon here did not expect to meet is me.

Laughs out loud.

For the second time in my life! February 23, he came here to the hospital. And in 2007, he visited my  school. I school in 2006 became the winner of the best school in Russia 2006.

The second school of the village Mogoytuy.

He came to the hospital, I say: “I have seen you, you and greet.” He’s so … eyes bulged: “This is when?”. “And you come to me come to school. I just shook hands. We are all built, we pulled the hand to you. “

Kobzon said: “You are drilled? I look at you, I see the outlines of the Buryat people. ” I said: “Yes, I am from Buryat.” He says: “I am on March 14 Aginskoe going.”

I say: “I was in the second grade at school when you visited.” He said: “Oh, I know, I know, well, warm greetings from you before.” I say, “Pass.” Well, that’s all.

Well, I was on the TV show. Then this video in the youtube was shown. . My sister saw the video and showed it to my mother. The neighborhood has seen me here, what happened to me.” 

– They know where you are?

– Yes I. When my father died, I was still a baby. We have, as you have priests -Buddhist monks, lamas. When the Lama blessed my dying father, he looked at me and said, willI will live a long time, knows my fate.

Mom told me this when I said that I found the the food here in Ukraine. Of course, like any mother, she poprotivilas, then a common language with her still found.

When I’m go to the city Ulan-Ude just went. We have everything in advance … guess. I told  mother to pray for me that I’ll be good. Lama said that I will live long. Said do not lie though. When the tank was burning, I thought that Lama was not right. And here is how it happened.

I am wounded, I’m all burned, the nurse put me in, I shot up the whole, do not feel a helluva lot of pain. There’s a man militia. “Call” – I say. “In Russia? On, call. ” Another guy some sat with medvzvoda,

I dialed my mom. I call and say, “Happy New Year!” On the same day the New Year was. She is cheerful, congratulations. I say, “What, how are you?”

“Oh, – he says – the visitors came, how are you?” I said: “But with me it’s OK, burned in the tank, burned a little bit.” My mother as a voice changed.

I hung up. The kid with too medvzvoda buryatenok, let’s talk to her, comforting her.

Now the family has seen all the videos. We pray for you. What they need to do.

– Will have to pay some of your family?

– But it does not know. We have the same in Russia, so – before the money comes, no one knows anything.

Chuckles.

Maybe payments, and can generally say you discharged.

Could not take place so much that I went here, and the number there. I have the same deferral ended November 27. Hop, and deferral over there, and I’ll do towner. So. Dread.

Contract at me signed in June. How kursovku passed. Ask – who remains under contract? So I raised my hand. The first term of the contract – for three years.

And signed. Contractual life – nothing doing what you’re told to fulfill all requirements commander and all.

But, when I signed the contract in the summer, did not think that I will go to Ukraine.

Silent.

No, I thought about it. But did not think. Still, our home is  very far from Ukraine. There are other military districts, which are closer – southern, western, central.

We did not expect that the Eastern Military District would sent. Then commander explained that  at the meeting: “You Siberians – you’ll be stronger, that’s you we send.”

§  §  §

Chapter Six

Будущее : Future

– Do you regret?

– Now something that already regret. No no resentment. Because I know that fighting for a just cause. So constantly watching the news about Ukraine – elections, elections, elections, then went Orange Revolution began in Odessa, Mariupol.

When I was a child in Kursovkam, Chita, we had NVP channel on TV. Including news. And there in Odessa just … people burned. We immediately … We all became ill. Due to the fact that the sense of … maybe … it is wrong.

It is inhumane, unjust. And the fact that I … that in fact can not be enlisted to carry here. In general, it was impossible. Nevertheless, I went anyway. With a sense … not debt, and equity. Here I have seen enough of how killing. Rampant.

The same sense of justice. When we go in the tanks, sometimes our intercept radio station. I remember exactly where a man’s voice:

“Listen carefully, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov geeks.”

“We will kill you all. First kill you, your wives, children, get to your parents. We fascists. We do not stop at nothing. We will kill you as our brothers Chechens to chop off your head. Remember that. Send you home in zinc coffins, bit by bit. “

My great-grandfather fought in World War II, and his companion was from the Ukraine, so they fought together. From grandfather I even left the rifle. We are allowed to hunt. Well, I hunted. Therefore, I shot from childhood.

– What do you think to go on living?

– War for me enough. Served, fought for the DNR. It remains to live a peaceful life. Study and work.Body recovers, struggling.

Well, I think the most likely recover in Rostov. Then go to  Ulan-Ude city in Buryatia.

The only thing where I still wanted to be – it’s senseyshene. It takes place every year in St. Petersburg. All dress on dress code in white. Come to the best DJs. My sister was …

And as I traveled around the world a lot. I was in Nepal, Tibet. In Tibet, very beautiful. The city is beautiful, monasteries; was in China – in Manchuria and in Beijing, saw all – and the Forbidden City.  

Palace of the Emperor, standing on the Great Wall. Then there was a Daolyane in Guangzhou, where the best tea is grown – Puer. I was still in India. In India, our training were the Dalai Lama. In Mongolia was.

On the national highway there is a huge statue of Genghis Khan. Rises on the hillside. You find yourself in the head of Genghis Khan. Half a planet away was on the Black Sea in Sochi. Bathed.

But I was in the Yellow Sea, in the Black Sea, is nothing more beautiful and better Baikal. There’s cottage with me. Whimsical fish there, seal. Whatever may be the sea, Baikal still nice and clean again.

Silent.

Our evil does not hold. Because of this no one is safe. What will happen in battle, no one knows. Maybe you, maybe you. Maybe stay there. Maybe, like me, will survive.

– No questions for Putin?

– I have nothing against him. 

Laughs.

Very certainly an interesting person. And cunning, and says “send – not send” “No troops here,” – says all over the world. And then we – quick: “Come on.” But on the other hand – another thought.”

If Ukraine joins the EU, the UN, the UN can deploy its missiles there, arms, in principle, it can. And then we will be under the gun. They are already much closer to us, not through the oceans.

That’s all through the land. And you realize that this is also sucks our opinion, our position, so we do not hurt, if that. Just as the Cold War, remember.

They wanted something, and we have put on their missiles in Cuba and once these “all-all-all, do not want this.” If you think, now Russia fears.

As I read and studied the history – that’s purely in recent years begun to reckon with the opinion of Russia. Previously, it was here that the Soviet Union and America – two geopolitical power. Then we broke up.

Once again we rise up again begin. Ridicule us, but we did not break up. But they will take the Donbass, deployed, put missiles will fly to Russia in case anything happens.

– You discussed it with political officer?

§ § §

Chapter Seven

Дорога : Road

On Friday evening, Dorji and two wounded soldiers were transferred from Donetsk to Regional Military Hospital in 1602 in Rostov.

Where they are without scheduling a reception. Noone from the military leadership, the Ministry of Defence. Nor anyone who knows Dorji. Nor his family.

Today, my mother was told there is a list of fighters sent from this part of Ukraine. Which means that the Defense Ministry will fully comply with its obligations to the soldier to pay for treatment.

“They said that I will not refuse,” – says my mother.

Thanks to people on the ward, the soldier uses a phone to call his family.

§ § §