Transcarpathian fighters soldier, freed from captivity, told about the war and rehabilitation in Hungary

In Uzhgorod Press Club, there was a press conference on the next phase of the program for rehabilitation of combatants in the ATO "Give warmth to a hero", initiated by the NGO "European Uzhgorod" (Chairman I. Tsap) together with the State self-government of Ukrainians in Hungary (Chairman Yu. Kravchenko). Transcarpathian heroes Anton Haytanzhi and Mykola Marchyshak told about their impressions of the rehabilitation in Budapest, fighting in Debaltseve, Ilovaisk and captivity.

Istvan Tsap said that the group of fighters had returned from Budapest where they had been provided recreation and rehabilitation as part of the rehabilitation program for combatants in the ATO "Give warmth to a hero."     According to Istvan Tsap, rehabilitation of soldiers and their support in the community is crucial. For example, the US, that lost 55 thousand soldiers in the war in Vietnam, lost another 60 thousand veterans over the next 5 years after the end of hostilities.  

Anton Haytanzhi says he did not expect such support in Transcarpathia. "It is a mental relief. When our men come back from the east, it lives on in their heads and souls – the man says. – We came to Hungary and saw how many Ukrainian are there, how they support us, how patriotic they are!. I think that there is more support and patriots in Hungary than here in the east. During the rehabilitation, we mentally refreshed our heads and souls. I want to go and end that war."

Mykola Marchyshak said that they had been warmly received like true heroes. "A lot of demobilized guys expect at least the minimum psychological relief, becuase they nee it, – Mykola Marchyshak says. – I was a prisoner in Ilovaisk. When I saw how people receive us, how they treat us, I understood that it was not in vain. A lot of people here do not even understand what is happening in the east and say, "let them kill each other there, in the east." God forbid any of you to experience the war!".          

Anton Haytanzhi is a career officer, graduated from Kharkiv Tank School, has been living in Mukachevo since 1992. He was serving in the 15th Battalion in March last year.  In autumn he came to the territory 8 km from Debaltseve.  "We were a shield for Debaltseve, if we had not covered them, Debaltseve would have been damaged much more – Anton says. – On February 3, I was injured and taken away from there. Our battalion is very well prepared mentally and technically, I am proud to have served there."

Transcarpathian soldiers say that they were in Budapest for the first time, had an opportunity to see a lot, to relax, yo meet with local diaspora. According to Istvan Tsap, the next group of soldiers are being prepared for rehabilitation in Hungary, families of killed soldiers will also go there.