SVO Veteran on Frontline Service and Life After

Pyotr Ryabov from Ryazan went to the SVO zone as a volunteer in April 2023, despite being classified as «limitedly fit» for health reasons. For this reason, he had not completed compulsory military service, and the decision to go to Donbas surprised his friends and colleagues. «We have to go. If not us, then who?» — that is how Pyotr explained his action. But already in June, the soldier came under artillery fire, was seriously wounded, and returned home. Today he works, actively engages in sports, and participates in the patriotic education of youth. In an interview, the veteran spoke about his service on the front line and life after it.

— How did you end up in the SVO and what was your role there?

— Friends and acquaintances were leaving as volunteers, and I decided to support them, go and help in some way. On the front line, I was a rifleman.

— Do you remember how you were wounded?

— Our unit was holding the village of Rabotino — one of the hottest spots on the Zaporozhye direction. On June 17, an artillery bombardment began, a shell landed directly in our trench; one soldier was killed, and I was wounded in an arm and legs. I started saving myself, administered first aid, then fellow soldiers evacuated me to a medical battalion. Now I have a prosthetic arm.

— What fills your life today?

— Since the new year, I took a job as an advisor to the head of the Klepikovsky Municipal District, to consolidate the knowledge I gained during training under the regional program «Heroes 62». I find municipal service interesting. I am also invited to participate in various conferences and other events, for example, on the patriotic education of youth. I cooperate with the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation; they asked me to lead courage lessons. In general, thanks to the foundation, I started, so to speak, rebuilding my life. They helped me obtain a veteran«s certificate, rehabilitation, and home adaptation.

— Do you have any hobbies?

— I am fond of bullet shooting — I took part in the «Defenders of the Fatherland Cup». True, I did not win a prize, but it was a first experience, and I did not finish last in my group. Sports help veterans rehabilitate. It«s great that they are given the opportunity to engage in sports and hold competitions.

— What tasks do you have to perform at work?

— People come to me with any questions related to veterans. There are many of them, and they need help. I also work on patriotic education in schools and universities and coordinate territorial public self-government (TPS). It turns out that so many people in the region are passionate about this, and TOS really brings tangible benefits and results in terms of improvement. I will continue to develop this topic and attract people to it.

— How difficult was it for you to adapt to civilian life after the SVO?

— It was hard without an arm, of course. And, as you understand, there were many questions that needed answers. But again, the courage lessons I was invited to at the foundation sparked interest and helped take my mind off things.

— What was the most pleasant thing for you after returning home?

— Understanding that I am home and needed by society, despite my injuries. Work is being done to socialize disabled veterans; we are not pushed aside. Unfortunately, there are always dissatisfied people who say they are not needed by anyone, but in fact they themselves do not want anything.

— Are you making any plans for the future?

— For the distant future — no, I never did that. But in the near future, I am going to have a child; that is the most important thing. I also need to finish my studies under the personnel program and keep working to be useful and justify the expectations of the regional government.

— Did you take away any important thoughts from the SVO that help you now in civilian life? Or perhaps a reassessment of values happened?

— There is certainly a reassessment; you look at people differently. Unfortunately, everyone now has such a lifestyle that work comes first. We do not look around, we miss a lot. But I walk and look around. And you know, there are so many good people around. I want us all to communicate more with each other, build warm relationships, and become closer. We are not strangers — citizens of the same country — but sometimes we act like enemies.