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

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.

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.

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.