Oleksandr Hingizov is a volunteer, special forces officer, and a veteran of brutal battles in eastern Ukraine. In the new episode of Ivashyn Live, he shares how — with no combat experience or weapons — he and his comrades built a combat-ready unit that fought in Kharkiv, Bakhmut, Izium, and Chasiv Yar.
“We had no tanks, but we built a company. Then came the equipment and experience. It was a war for survival,” says Hingizov.
He speaks emotionally about the losses, especially the Red Hill battle:
“There, we saw what real war is — pointless death, pain, and despair. But we stood our ground.”
In civilian life, Oleksandr is a coach, educator, and sports leader. His experience helped shape a strong, disciplined unit.
After the rotation, he became a key figure in the veteran movement in Zhytomyr region. Yet, the war for him is far from over:
“Peace is not enough. It must come through victory. That’s what we fight for.”
