Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces decorates soldier who repelled Russian assault in close combat

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has awarded the Golden Cross to Ruslan Zubariev, a senior soldier of the 92nd Ivan Sirko Separate Mechanised Brigade, and awarded him with a ceremonial weapon. Source: Zaluzhnyi on Telegram; Zubariev on Telegram Quote from Zaluzhnyi: "I had the honour to decorate Ruslan Zubariev, a senior soldier of the 92nd Ivan Sirko Separate Mechanised Brigade, with the Golden Cross honorary badge and present him with a well-deserved ceremonial weapon.

Ruslan repelled the attack of the enemy's superior forces and showed valour and courage in battle."

Details: Zubariev bears the alias of Khyzhak (Predator). The soldier participated in the battle with the Russian troops in the area of Svatove, Luhansk Oblast on 16 February 2023. "Khyzhak" filmed and posted the relevant video on his Telegram channel PREDATOR. In the footage, the 21-year-old soldier destroys a Russian BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and kills several invaders in 30 minutes of combat.

The soldier uses various weapons [RPG-7 grenade launcher, machine gun and assault rifle] and throws grenades at the Russian troops from his foxhole.

We have launched English Twitter! Follow us!

Khyzhak stated that the Russian group consisted of 11 soldiers and their reinforcements could have approached them, as Russian positions were 70 metres away. Ukrainian mortar and an IFV arrived to assist the Ukrainian defenders.

The Ukrainian forces held their position and forced Russian troops to retreat. The soldier's military partner sustained a concussion during the combat. Throughout the battle, his comrade-in-arms supported Khyzhak with ammunition.

Later, Zubariev described the battle in detail. Quote from Zubariev: "The day was as ordinary as possible. My fellow and I took up our duty, stood guard for an hour and a half, and there was literally half an hour left to change and go to rest, but we heard the sounds of a [moving] BMP-2.

Thinking it was somewhere far away, I decided to prepare anti-tank weapons, and in about 10 seconds, we received a call on the radio and were warned that the same BMP-2 was moving in our direction. We didn't really understand what we were told on the radio as the Russians were using jamming equipment, and when we were told again that vehicles were moving towards us, they were like 5 metres away, and what you all saw on the video began. Eventually, we repelled the attack, and those who survived escaped.

The rest of us are still lying there. My comrade is fine, he was concussed then, but he could still help me; he served everything I said, listened and followed my orders, for which I am very grateful." Details: Zubariev states that Zaluzhnyi awarded him an M4 assault rifle.

Before that, the "Khyzhak" had a customised AK-47 assault rifle. The soldier said that he wanted to purchase an assault rifle, but the law forbids citizens to do so until the age of 25. Zubariev is 21 now.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!