08/11/2025
Oleksandr Tishaiev and Oleksandr Aliksieienko spent 165 days defending one position near Verbove in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Under constant shelling and drone attacks, they reported enemy movements, repelled assaults, and held the line when it was not possible to rotate safely.
Even after being wounded, Oleksandr Aliksieienko managed to walk 12 kilometres to the evacuation point – with the help and support of his comrade.
For their extraordinary courage and resilience, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded both defenders the Cross of Combat Merit.
Thank you, Oleksandr and Oleksandr – and all our defenders – for standing firm for Ukraine 🇺🇦
Photo: 138th Separate Battalion of the Territorial Defence Forces of Ukraine / Facebook