Dziubynskyi, a soldier in the 95th Air Assault Brigade, recounts a harrowing battle against Russian forces in Bakhmut in January 2023. In the midst of heavy fighting, his friend Vova Androshchuk was killed, leaving Dziubynskyi devastated. Using Androshchuk’s body as a shield, Dziubynskyi managed to survive a sniper’s attack. This was not the first time Androshchuk had saved Dziubynskyi’s life, having previously protected him from a Russian soldier in December 2022. Despite the intense circumstances of their friendship, their bond was also strengthened by their shared love of sports, with Dziubynskyi being a rower and Androshchuk a former decathlon champion. The two men supported each other both on the battlefield and during training, sharing skills and experiences. Their camaraderie and shared experiences of war and sport solidified their friendship, emphasizing the importance of trust and support in times of crisis.
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Honoring a Friend’s Sacrifice on the Ukrainian Battlefield by Embracing a New Sport
