Former prisoners told why they decided to become volunteer tankers of the Northern Military District

It is assumed that after the adoption of the law, they will be able to use, for example, persons who have committed crimes of small or medium gravity before the day the law under discussion enters into force. This does not apply to those in respect of which criminal cases of incitement to terrorism or justification of terrorism, incitement to extremist activities, illegal handling of radioactive materials or theft of such materials are being investigated. Another exception is persons who have committed crimes against the sexual inviolability of minors, as well as crimes of a terrorist, extremist and sabotage nature. Such a chance to “redeem with blood” will not be given.

NWO has divided the lives of many caring people into “before” and “after”. Someone owned a beauty salon, and then became a volunteer attack aircraft, someone applied the knowledge of a timber truck driver to evacuate damaged equipment from the battlefield, someone exchanged a comfortable life in a large office and a personal driver for life in the trenches. All these people were united by one thing – the inability to pass by someone else’s grief. But now, in the ranks of the defenders of our Fatherland, you can meet those for whom the defense of Donbass is also a chance to correct their mistakes of the past and start life from scratch.

The MK correspondent talked with the crew of the tank, which consists of people who had problems with the law, and found out how the crew managed to adapt to the military team, what feelings the former prisoners had before the first battle, and what real combat brotherhood is.

“Bondik” is a short, reserved man who looks to be in his early forties. Even before the start of communication, looking at him, for some reason I assumed that it was he who was the commander of the combat vehicle. Maybe because he looks noticeably older than his comrades, or maybe because of his seriousness, but that’s the impression he got. However, as it turned out later, I was wrong. “Bondik” – the driver of the T-80 tank. But it is now. Until recently, a man could not even imagine that his life would change so much. Before getting to the front, the soldier was in prison. He was convicted under article 105 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (murder), served his sentence in one of the correctional colonies in Kaliningrad.

He says he committed the crime by accident, went too far in a fight. Before that, he lived an ordinary life: a house, a loving family, a good job, prosperity … But, as you know, “you can’t renounce money and prison.”

He served four years, ahead of almost the same. When the special operation began, he decided that if an offer came to go to the front, he would agree. At least for the sake of the future of their own children, so that the father’s biography does not interfere with their lives. Bondik has two of them – an adult daughter and a teenage son. The conditions that were offered to the prisoners just imply the removal of a criminal record and, in general, any mention of this negative moment.

“Bondik” says that initially representatives of the PMC “Wagner” came to their colony with a proposal to change the prisoner’s uniform for a military uniform and not in words, but in deeds that you are ready to start a new normal life. However, it so happened that at that time the mother of my interlocutor had just undergone an operation, and he did not dare to upset her.

When, after some time, a second offer was received, already from another military company, he immediately agreed. According to the interlocutor, there were more than a hundred people like him in the colony. We arrived at the training camp, where they initially indicated that they would be preparing for assault groups.

The daily workouts have begun. Just like any other recruits. They were taught to use weapons, dig in, and other military tricks. For Bondik, as for practically most of the prisoners who decided to take part in the SVO, all this was new. Only a few have served in the military. But, as the interlocutor himself says, if you understand what you are doing here and why, then learning is not difficult and not boring.

“For two and a half weeks we trained with everyone,” he continues. – And then it turned out that fate gave us a tank.

The offer to become a tanker was unexpected, but was accepted without any hesitation. Two of Bondik’s comrades, with whom he had the most contact while still in the colony and then already in training, supported this idea. And so a full-fledged tank crew appeared.

“I think this is the best thing that could happen to us,” the military admits. – Firstly, it is much more interesting for us to study in this direction. The second important point, in my opinion, is that we feel more secure or something. The tank is a powerful, well-protected vehicle.

“Bondik” says that in two weeks in a new field, they not only rallied even more with their comrades, but the tank for them has already turned from an incomprehensible soulless metal colossus into a full-fledged team member, with whom they constantly spend time in training, take care, finalize all sorts of small nuances to enhance protection.

– How were the roles distributed in the crew, if no one had experience working on a tank?

– I immediately decided that the place of the driver is mine. It so happened that from a young age I was with technology on you. I managed to manage a lot of things, once I even graduated from a tracked tractor school. I already had an idea of ​​how to drive a tank. All that was left was to acquire practical skills.

– Under other initial conditions, if you were not in places of deprivation of liberty, but lived at home with your usual life, would you volunteer?

– You know, I would go. I’m almost a local, I myself come from Lisichansk, many relatives are here. It was later moved to Kaliningrad. So everything that is happening right now is very important to me. To be honest, sometimes I wonder how it will be if I have to meet my childhood comrades who are fighting on the other side.

Tankers have not yet had a chance to test themselves in a real battle, but they all clearly understand that this day will come sooner or later.

– Ready?

– I can say with confidence both for myself and for the guys that I am mentally prepared. We understand that we may not return, but we will go into battle anyway.

My second interlocutor is a fighter with the call sign “Pesh”.

– Why such a call sign? – I ask – Derived from the surname?

– No, no, – a young blond-haired blue-eyed guy smiles a little embarrassed. – I don’t know, I’ve been called that since childhood.

“Pesh is a tank commander. The position is responsible. Despite the fact that all crew members must be interchangeable, the commander still has more responsibility than others.

In the past, the young man has more than one conviction, and all for burglary. It is recognized that during the last term he realized that he no longer wants to live the way he lived before. Probably wiser, matured. It’s time to start a family, children. Including for the sake of their future, he agreed to come here. Although there was nothing left before the release – some six months.

“I don’t want my children to be ashamed of their father in the future,” the guy admits.

He says that initially, when they came here, they were afraid that the relationship with other volunteers might not work out. Still, they have very different fates. However, in spite of everything, the tankers did not feel any negative or prejudiced attitude towards themselves.

More experienced fighters are always ready to explain, suggest, help to understand an incomprehensible situation. Everyone understands that any situation can arise in a battle, and it is possible that the one you least think about right now will be the only one there who will save your life. This is what is called a fighting brotherhood.

Why were you chosen as commander?

“I don’t even know,” the guy laughs. – The guys divided among themselves, “Bondik” is well versed in mechanics, “Jew” (another crew member. – Aut.) – gunner. I only have this position. But, this is just a name, in fact, we are equal, we work together, there is no such thing that I command the guys.

Speaking about the upcoming first fight, “Pesh” admits that, of course, there is a feeling of fear and nowhere to go from it. The main thing here is to learn not to succumb to it and not to lose self-control. Fear – do not be afraid, this moment is inevitable.

– Do your family know where you are?

– Already Yes. A month and a half later, he spoke. Mom is still crying, the older brother supports.

– Do you think that the fact that you are here will change your life and outlook?

– I look at many things differently. I am sure that when I return home, I will start life from scratch. The main thing is to return.

The gunner with the call sign “Jew” has a handsome face with regular features, large brown eyes framed by black eyelashes. Thin, brisk, in appearance – just a boy. Even the uniform sits on him like a teenager, you involuntarily want to smile. In fact, my interlocutor is already 27, he comes from the Jewish Autonomous Region (hence, most likely, the call sign. – Aut.) we are convicted for possession and use of prohibited substances. Until the end of the term remained to serve a year.

– Not so much .. Why did you decide to come here?

– I want to change my life. Enough with the bullshit already.

The operator-gunner of the tank was chosen by decision of the senior authorities. The guy has a higher economic education. “So you know how to calculate,” the commander summed up after reading his biography.

The military man admits that at first he was even afraid of the responsibility that had fallen on him, but in practice it began to work out, and he realized that there was nothing supernatural in the tasks set. The main thing is to listen carefully to what your senior comrades explain, learn and do it honestly. The fact that here, at the cost of laziness or negligence, your own life and the lives of your comrades can become, the guy understood right away.

– My task is to adjust the guns. Taking into account if the object is moving, then also its speed – so that the projectile hits the target.

The volunteer admits that when he was in the combat vehicle for the first time, he panicked a little. Closely, the view is limited, for some reason the feeling that the tank could roll over did not leave. But after several trips “in combat” I got used to it. Now I even like it. It remains only to master the management, so that, if anything, you can replace the driver. But this is a little later.

Learning a new specialty is perhaps the only thing that, according to the interlocutor, raises some questions for him and his crew members, while in everyday terms, the men do not experience any discomfort while being here. Maybe because they are not spoiled initially. There is a roof over your head, there is food, the rest is everyday trifles.

– In general, while everything is pleasant here, – the guy smiles. – I never thought about it before, but now it seems to me that the service is mine. I think that I will sign a contract later and stay. Especially such a chance: a real deal, combat experience, prospects. I won’t forgive myself if I miss it.

SVO zone.