On Feb. 24, 2022, Russian tanks rolled into eastern Ukraine and began the full-scale invasion. In the west of the country Mykhailo Rohiv was at home with his family watching the unthinkable unfold on television—and that is when he knew he had to pick up a rifle. “I joined the army on the very first day of the war,” said Rohiv. “I went to the military recruitment centre to fulfill my duty as a Ukrainian.” Soon the husband and father found himself saying an uncertain goodbye to his family before heading towards the frontlines. “You should avoid war at all costs but if you have to fight, you have to fight for your own principles and stand your ground,” said Rohiv. For the next four years the soldier defended his country working his way up to become the commander of his unit of 25 soldiers. In early November of last year his outfit found itself pinned down and surround by the Russian army in the Zaporizhia region. “For two weeks we didn’t have food and for several days we did not have water,” said the commanding officer. Related: Humanitarian team returns to Vancouver Island after successful mission in Ukraine Finally the order was given from upper command for his platoon to fall back into a new position. Rohiv says not a lot of information was given to him about the new position and nothing looked off. What the men didn’t know was the company had been moved straight into an area of advancing Russian troops. “The firing opened up on us and my whole unit died,” said Rohiv. The soldier then took a bullet wound to his left leg. That’s when Rohiv found himself alone, injured and fighting for his life. “Then there was this hunt that opened for me involving drones because they realized that I was the only one left,” recalled Rohiv. Somehow he managed to escape the Russian pursuit making it to safety alive. For the past two months the commanding officer has been recovering from his injuries, reunited with his family once again the west of Ukraine although last Tuesday he returned to the front. When asked why he was choosing to go back he says the answer is simple. “I just have my own things that I need to finish as this war isn’t over yet,” said Rohiv. He says when the sovereignty of his country is at stake the only option is the keep fighting.
