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• Interview   • Voices of war
Andrii Didenko, 09 October 2023
available: українською на русском

‘The military registration and enlistment office said they didn't need my services’

The son of Viktor Petrovych voluntarily joined the National Guard and was wounded near Bakhmut. Vyktor also wanted to defend his homeland, but he was not accepted due to his age. Then the man decided to help to the best of his ability: he prepared Molotov cocktails and knitted camouflage nets.

I am Haidai Viktor Petrovych, a resident of Vyshhorod, Hrushevskoho Street, 3/38.


On the morning of 24 February 2022, I received information that the Russian Federation attacked us. It was, of course, unexpected. We were a little shocked. I went to the military registration and enlistment office, and although I was no longer subject to [conscription] due to my age, I went as a reserve officer. They told me they didn’t need my services. So, we prepared Molotov cocktails at our place of residence. There were young people there, we helped them. Camouflage nets were knitted for our territory defense and military.

All our events developed along the Kyiv-Ovruch highway: this is the  Ivankivske direction, Dymer, Demidov. There were heavy artillery attacks. The first day was also memorable because of a helicopter attack over the Kyiv Reservoir towards Hostomel. There were a lot of helicopters. They flew over us, and several of them were shot down over the [Kyiv] Sea by the Air Defense Forces. Later, we received information from the Internet, from statements by our state’s leadership, and through friends.

Haidai Viktor Petrovych, resident of the city of Vyshhorod

There was a lot of information. They said the Russians were still coming, destroying everything in their path. In general, my specialty was organizing the supply of troops and the rear elements. These include food products, clothing, fuel, and ammunition.

My son is now in the hospital. He volunteered to join the National Guard. He was wounded near Bakhmut. Thank God everything is fine now. Health is stabilizing. He is still on sick leave in a hospital in Kyiv. The daughters helped as much as they could. They also wove camouflage nets.

Was your home damaged?

The rocket exploded 20 meters from our house, and our apartment windows face precisely that direction. Everything was broken — windows, balcony, door. Even the entrance metal armored door was damaged. The locks were ripped out. And this was on the opposite [side] from the explosion. But quickly, within two or three days, our windows were replaced. We are currently doing renovations.

Consequences of the occupiers’ missile attack on Vyshhorod, photo source: Telegram channel of the Kyiv Region National Police Main Directorate Chief, Andrii Nebytov

Is the house suitable for living? Do you live there?

No, we have the opportunity not to live there, but we could live in the house. There is water, gas, heating, electricity. The house was repaired quickly. The roof was restored by the new year. So we could live there, but we decided to take our time and make repairs to continue living normally. We hope this will all end soon.

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This publication is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Human Rights in Action Program, run by the Ukrainian Helsinki Group on Human Rights (UHSHR).

The views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, the US Government, or UHSHR. The authors and KHPG are solely responsible for the content of this article.

USAID is one of the world's leading development agencies facilitating the end of extreme poverty and supporting the movement of recipient countries to self-reliance and resilience. USAID also contributes to the national security and economic well-being of the United States. Its activity is a manifestation of the philanthropy of the American people. USAID has been partnering with Ukraine since 1992: during this time, the agency's total assistance to Ukraine amounted to more than 3 billion US dollars. USAID's current strategic priorities in Ukraine include strengthening democracy and good governance, promoting economic development and energy security, improving health systems, and reducing the impact of conflict in the eastern regions. For more information about USAID's activities, please contact the Public Relations Department of the USAID Mission in Ukraine at tel. (+38 044) 521-57-53. We also invite you to visit their website: usaid.gov/ukraine or the Facebook page: facebook.com/USAIDUkraine

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