Viktor Tsarenko is a resident of the village of Stavyshche, which russian troops almost entered in February 2022. On the eve of the invasion, Viktor, together with his fellow villagers, began organizing a first-aid post and preparing a bomb shelter. This bought the locals some time. “Each of us was given responsibility”, the man says, recalling how he wrote lists of territorial defense and coordinated actions with residents.

The first wounded were received from Makarov and Zabuiannia, unfortunately, not everyone could be saved. Viktor’s wife, Alla, took on the organization of volunteer work. And Viktor was hanging around the front line: delivering food, water, and medicine to the defenders. “I was driving under fire, but I knew that it had to be done”, he recalls of the risks he faced every day. His call sign “Santa Claus” (because the couple worked in a kindergarten, and Victor often played this fairy-tale character on New Year’s holidays) then became a symbol of hope for many defenders.

One of the most tragic moments was the death of five soldiers of the 46th brigade. “I fed them today, they drank coffee. I arrive the next day, the commander is sitting, took his head and says: “Five two hundred, seven three hundred….” - this is how Victor Tsarenko recalls the first pain from the losses.