Call sign Taxi Driver: "Enemy drones hover over our infantry positions almost nonstop. There are so many of them."
His military path began at 18 with compulsory service, which, due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, shifted from training to resistance against the enemy. During the first few days of the major war, he maintained order at the capital’s train station. Then he guarded Kyiv’s checkpoints. After that came battles in Donbas, a concussion, treatment and rehabilitation, and a growing interest in UAVs.
Today, he is not only a pilot but also a platoon commander of the FPV unit in the 25th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine. His call sign is Taxi Driver. He got it because of his "hobby" — after returning from the zero line, he likes to "give his comrades rides" in order to talk.
- Tell us, how did it all start for you? How did you end up joining the army?
- It’s simple. I finished school and went on to study further. I thought: I need to figure out what to do next. I decided to serve first so that later, so to speak, they wouldn’t bother me. I liked the conscript service. It drew me in. During the full-scale war, I signed a contract and stayed in the same unit.
- Considering you were already serving before the full-scale invasion, did you realize such a war was possible?
- Yes, there was some sense of it. Because they were already sending us to the airport, preparing us for something. Although we still didn’t fully understand what was happening. Honestly, we didn’t want to believe a major war was possible. It seemed like just rumors and talk.
- Let’s recall February 24, 2022. Where were you and what were you doing?
- I was sleeping in the barracks. Suddenly, we were woken up and told something had started. No one really understood what was going on. Then it became clear from the news: it’s serious.
- What were your first tasks?
- At first, we stayed in our unit 3030. Then we were sent to Kyiv’s Central Railway Station, to patrol and monitor, making sure no explosives were brought in, no terror attacks or suspicious activities occurred. We worked in shifts.
In fact, in our 25th Brigade, each battalion was responsible for its own sector. Some handled checkpoints, others patrolled or guarded facilities, and so on. Personally, I went on patrol for a few days.
- As far as I remember, nothing serious happened at the station during those days, right?
- No, nothing extraordinary happened. Later, they started moving us to checkpoints, where we stayed.
- You observed people fleeing Kyiv in panic, by trains and cars. The Russians were pressing and shelling us. What were you thinking watching all that? Did you feel anxious?
- I wouldn’t say that. Somehow, I was calmer. I didn’t panic. I didn’t feel fear. I’d say I was more curious than scared. Probably, back then I still didn’t fully realize what was really happening.
- What was happening at the checkpoints while you were on duty?
- Nothing grand happened at my checkpoint. Once, explosives were found near a bus stop. Probably planted. But no enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups entered our area.
- How long did you spend on such duty shifts?
- We were there for a long time. I can’t recall exactly. Winter, then spring... We left probably around mid-summer.
- You finished your conscript service and signed a contract?
- No, I still had about three months left on my conscript term. But I had already decided to stay in the army. The first year, I really wanted to go to the front. I was eager. But it didn’t work out then.
- Where did you end up after that?
- I stayed in the same unit within the 25th Brigade. I went to Lviv region to train as a squad leader. When I returned, I took up that position. At the time, we didn’t have our UAV platoon yet, so I served in the battalion. Basically, the work was the same as before, guarding checkpoints at the city’s entrances. Later, I was offered to go to Donbas. My guys and I talked it over and agreed. That was my first infantry rotation. We went to Selydove (Pokrovsk district, Donetsk region – О.М.)
- That was the first time you saw war with your own eyes. What were your initial impressions?
- I remember, as before, there was no fear. Probably, even then I didn’t fully grasp what I had gotten into. But we didn’t go straight to the frontline right away. At first, we were deployed a bit behind the front lines, to get used to it, find a place to live, and settle in. But it didn’t last long, the order came: part of the group was already moving to the positions. There were eight of us. They told us to be ready by morning. That’s when the adrenaline kicked in (he smiles – О.М) — you start to understand a bit where you’re going and what might happen.
- What mission were you assigned?
- To enter a village, a suburb of Selydove. After the assault troops cleared the area, we were to take up positions and hold them. We were pretty serious about it (he smiles – О.М.) Everything was great. We trusted each other. Before leaving, of course, they briefed us on the plan: what to do, how everything would unfold. We were given radios. In the morning, we gathered, loaded into the vehicle, and set off. We arrived at the location. According to the plan, we spread out under trees and bushes, making sure we maintained voice contact. There was only one problem: our vehicle left, but instead, a tank arrived and started firing. Well, those were unforgettable impressions (he smiles – О.М.) I said, "Guys, we need to move further inland, into the bushes where there are more trees. Because if the tank gets targeted and destroyed in response, we’ll get hit too." So, we split up in pairs and moved a bit deeper into another tree line. Then we contacted our command over the radio to report roughly where we were. They found us with a drone. By the way, that’s when I got interested in UAVs, I really liked it. They guided us, telling us what was ahead. We moved in two groups of four. The tree line was very long, and there was a gap in the middle we had to run across. We checked in again: "We’re at the end of the tree line, ready to move forward." We were held in place for a while, just waiting. Then we had to run across an open field to reach the village. That was the hardest part because there was enemy fire, even small arms. But we handled it well. The assault group met us there. The only problem was that we arrived with them (he smiles – О.М.) At that time, they hadn’t yet managed to carry out the assault and clear the area.
- So you started working alongside them?
- Yes. There was no way back and no turning around (he smiles – О.М.) And we couldn’t anyway. We talked with the senior member of their group. We immediately told them that our guys were on their first mission like this. We asked them to guide us. They shared who would pair up with whom, and we began working together.
- So, this was your baptism by fire?
- (He smiles – О.М.) Exactly! It was good that we joined experienced soldiers. I don’t know why, but with them, I felt confident that everything would be okay.
-How did it go?
- It was very tough. There were quite a few enemy forces. Together with the assault troops, we cleared one street, it was very difficult for both them and us. We couldn’t advance further because the enemy was bringing in reinforcements. So, we took positions in the houses along that street and repelled attacks when their backup arrived. This lasted all day. I was worried about how the night would go. But we were greatly helped by "Vampir," FPV drones, and "Mavics" with payload drops. Where the enemy forces gathered, a heavy aircraft would come in and completely destroy them. We took turns sleeping whenever possible. In the morning, our guys noticed that the b@stards started firing at us with a machine gun and preparing RPGs. Luckily, we spotted them in time and neutralized. Probably, the b@stards radioed our location, because then they began shelling us with mortars. I was severely concussed. The pressure was mounting. We informed the command that we were being pressed hard. They decided to withdraw together with the assault troops. We moved back along the same road we had entered. We ran into the tree line we had passed through, and they started hitting us with fire. One of the guys in my group suffered a shrapnel wound to his arm. That’s how we withdrew under fire. We stayed a bit at the evacuation point where we were supposed to be picked up. Our group never returned to that village.
- You mentioned you suffered a concussion. Were you sent for treatment?
- That was my first unforgettable concussion. Yes, I was sent for treatment. Later, I stayed at a rehabilitation center. Then I got a call saying they were forming a UAV platoon in our unit and offered me to join. I thought: this is the perfect chance to try it! I agreed. After finishing rehab, I went for training. It was great! I really liked everything. The instructors were very skilled, some had combat experience and knew how things worked on the front line.
- What did you learn to fly first?
- The Maviсs. I still absolutely love them (he smiles – О.М.) Maybe because that’s what I started with.
- Where did you go after training?
- Our newly formed platoon of the 25th Brigade was sent to Donbas, attached to the "Rubizh" brigade for further training. Great guys! They welcomed us like their own. Those who could already fly and had certificates went with them on missions. The rest of us were trained and given a solid foundation whenever possible. There was a lot of work to do. Assaults were underway, so sometimes we had to learn on the fly.
- Recall your first combat sortie.
- That was during my second rotation. After the first, we returned to Kyiv and continued training. I mastered the "Vampir" and received a certificate...
- Is it more difficult?
- The principle is the same. But it’s more stable because it has more propellers, which gives confidence in flight. When I first flew it, the guys asked if I had flown it before. I said, "No! I just picked up its controller now" (he smiles – О.М.) They were surprised I handled it so well right away and said I was talented.
So, we returned to Donbas. Everyone was ready to move into positions. They sent me. I went with guys from the "Rubizh" unit. There were four of us. We got in smoothly, the weather was on our side: thick fog, so nothing was flying around. We could safely unload our gear without being seen. The position was empty, nothing there except a dugout. Everything had to be set up from scratch. We did it. But there was a problem: we needed to install two antennas. One worked perfectly, but we couldn’t configure the other. It was frustrating (he smiles – О.М.) because you’re doing everything right, but it doesn’t work. Then we sat down, thought it over, checked all possible issues one by one, and realized the cable was simply cut. Luckily, we had spares, we replaced it, and everything started working. We powered up and did test flights. We were told our operational area and specific tasks. We took off. We spotted a b@stard waving a white rag or something similar, signaling he was ready to surrender. I was sitting at the controller. They told me, "Put a loudspeaker on the Mavic, fly over, and guide the b@stard." I recorded the message…
- What did you say?
- "If you want to live, follow the drone." To make sure he understood, I spoke in Russian. I flew up to him. He started following the Mavic. The distance was quite long. While I was guiding him, a second guy popped out from the bushes. So, it seems the first one brought a buddy along so he wouldn’t be bored or something (he smiles – О.М.)
- Military personnel who also took Russians captive told me they even dropped water and cigarettes to them on the way. Did you do that?
- No, we didn’t drop anything. Over the loudspeaker, we actually urged them on: "Come on, hurry up, because the second drone with a payload is coming" (he smiles – О.М.)They walked for quite a while. Eventually, they reached our positions and were taken away.
- Did you talk to them?
- Personally, I didn’t. I didn’t even want to. In fact, I’ll tell you — I still don’t.
-What happened next?
- We conducted reconnaissance, working within our sector. We spotted another one crawling around. We were ordered to fly in with a payload drop. You know, I noticed they seemed like they were on something. We dropped right at his feet, he fell but got back up and kept moving.
- The guys often say they seem like they’re crazed.
- Enchanted (he smiles – О.М.) We finished him off. All good.
- You’re talking about engaging enemy personnel. That’s the tactic they’re using now — moving in small groups rather than rolling in with heavy equipment like before…
- Yes, that’s their current method, two or three people at a time. They step over their own dead without blinking and keep going. They don’t go far because our payload drops do their job.
- Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated that the Russians are steadily increasing their personnel numbers. Do you feel there are more of them now?
- Yes, it feels that way. It seems like they’re endless. Two come at us, we killed out, they lie there, and more are already behind them. It’s like that nonstop.
- Are they assaulting on motorcycles?
- They come on motorcycles, and there are also "UAZ" vehicles.
- Is it easier to engage them that way?
- Basically, yes. For us and our infantry alike. The main thing is not to miss the moment so they don’t get too far in. But we are doing our best to prevent them from getting too far.
- The "Rubizh" brigade recently reported that on your Siversk front, the enemy has been using chemical weapons for several weeks. Have you been hit by these poisonous munitions?
- Yes, we have. They drop gases from drones. The dugout fills with smoke. We sit in gas masks until it clears. Then we take them off and operate as usual.
- Besides the many FPVs you have now, what drones do they most often fly against you?
- Very often, "Mavics." By the way, the guys use nets against them...
- How interesting!
- I have never worked with such a thing before. I've seen it used as a drop. You just hover over the b@stard drone, the net covers its propellers, and it crashes.
- Have they increased the amount of fiber optic drones?
- Yes. Compared to the last rotation, there’s much more now. The fields are littered with it. They rely heavily on these drones because electronic warfare systems can’t take them down, only small arms fire can. Drivers say there are a lot of "waiters" now, drones that hover along routes. Such a drone lands on the road, waits for a vehicle, then takes off to strike it. It’s a good thing the b@stards still botch their landings: most of those drones end up flipped over on the roads and can’t take off again.
- When is it easier for you to operate, during the day or at night? Or does it make no difference?
- Basically, no difference. I do prefer flying in daylight, of course, but you have to get used to night flights too.
- And when is the enemy more active?
- It`s hard to say. They have enough resources to keep working non‑stop. For example, we shoot down one Mavic and the next one is already in the air. They don’t care about those losses. Unlike us.
- Siri, who commands an FPV section in the Kurakhove front, told me the same thing recently: the enemy launches a whole "carousel" of drones and doesn’t care if they lose them.
- And they are! Over our infantry positions they hover practically nonstop. There are so many of them.
- The enemy is shifting tactics both at the front and in the rear. The shelling of civilian cities is becoming more aggressive and prolonged. I assume you’re seeing that as well?
- Absolutely! You know, watching what’s happening in Kyiv these days, it almost feels safer here in Donbas.
- We’ve also noticed that recently they’ve been deliberately targeting our TCR (Territorial Centre of Recruitment and Social Support - ed.note). Obviously, they want to disrupt our mobilization, which is already going tough. And the frontline needs more people. I’m sure you feel the same...
- Absolutely! If we had more people, the results would be better. We’d have more chances to train, get some rest, and also provide more training. We have a training ground. When new members join us, we tell them everything, show them our tricks that can help in various combat situations, so they learn from our experience what to do and how. When a crew is formed, someone experienced always goes along to guide and even train on the go. That’s how we operate.
- Do you think about your future?
- I try to live in the present. I don’t know where I would return to civilian life since I joined the army at 18. Now I’m 22. Most likely, after the war ends, I will continue serving.
Olha Moskaliuk, Censor.NET
Photos provided by the interviewee
