Defender Arthur: a conversation with the junior sergeant of the communications unit of the 63rd brigade

In the world of RBTNK, there are 6 characters who together fight for victory: Defender, Medic, Rescuer (front) and Volunteer, Journalist, Worker (rear). These superheroes are among us: with their backgrounds, skills, and superpowers — different, but united by a common goal. We want the RBTNK community to know more about them. So in the Superheroes section, we talk to our heroes about important things: why they chose this role, what their mission is, their dreams, and the artifacts that help them hold on.

Today we are talking to Artur Dmytryshyn — a junior sergeant of the communications unit of the 63rd brigade and the author of the YouTube channel keep going.

Artur, hello! Tell us how you got into the military?

Before joining the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, I worked as a project manager in an IT company. I took on all the problems and helped developers do their job better. In my free time, I also ran a small blog where I talked about my life and how I try to make it a little better. I still do this; the blog is called keep going.

Then I decided to join the military and went to serve in the communications unit of the 63rd brigade of the OMBR. Here I create content about the brigade, our fighters. And I organize meetings.

Why did you choose this role in the war?

I had the relevant skills. I knew how to tell stories, how to make them known and recognizable. I knew how to build a brand. I decided that this way I would be the most useful here.

I am shy to call myself a military person because I serve in a rear position. What I do, I consider just a job. Without schedules and weekends — but a job that I try to give my all to.

“What I do, I consider just a job”

What do you see as your mission?

To tell the stories of our heroes. Boys and girls do something extraordinary every day, sacrificing the most precious thing — their lives, their health. Often heroic feats go unnoticed, and my task is to make sure that people learn about the true price paid by those who protect us. 

“My task is to make sure that people learn about the true price paid by those who protect us”

Does this help build a bridge between the rear and the front?

Yes, I think it all comes down to communication. The rear and the front need to talk and find common ground. We are divided on many issues, but we need to unite. And for that — we need to communicate.

Tell us your favorite story from service

In our brigade, there are foreigners. One of them is Bruce. An American, 25 years old, a former Marine. He came to Ukraine because he realized he had skills that would be useful here and couldn't stay home. He learned the language so well during his time here that when he captured a prisoner, he communicated with him in Ukrainian. “Get on your knees, please,” “Do you want a cigarette?” “I won’t shoot” — all in pure Ukrainian. What surprises me the most is that he didn't learn any basic phrases in Russian (which usually happens with foreigners). He learned Ukrainian and emphasizes its importance. We became friends, and I teach him some words. We learned “love” — a much deeper word than “affection.” The last time we met, he was excited that he now knows this word from me.

What do you dream about now?

I dream of starting to dream again. To start seeing prospects for the future again. To love life again. Just — to live a normal life, filled with joy, good and bad moments (because without the bad, it won't be interesting either). But there is also a childhood dream. Since childhood, I have seen airships in cartoons and movies — they looked so grand, so beautiful. I dream of flying in an airship one day :)

“I dream of starting to dream again”

What gives you faith and determination to continue the fight?

Our guys who work on the front line. I regularly communicate with them, and they inspire me so much with their strength. They are titans. And I understand that even with all my problems and struggles, I simply cannot give up. Because then I would let them down. And I cannot let them down.

“I cannot give up because then I would let them down. And I cannot let them down”

What artifacts are always with you and help you hold on?

The first is a small pigeon, like from the movie “Home Alone 2.” One is with my girlfriend, the other is with me. I carry it in my bulletproof vest, in a pocket near my heart. I say that I am alive thanks to it. It protects me.

The second is a capybara :) A few months ago, I was on vacation, and my girlfriend and I won a capybara in a toy machine. That capybara stayed with her, but she gave me another one. And this one now sleeps with me.

The third is a cross. I don’t consider myself a deeply religious person, but I believe that symbols you give meaning to can really work. I asked my godmother to send me a blessed cross, and I wear it all the time.

And what is on your dog tag?

A quote attributed to Winston Churchill: If you’re going through hell, just keep going (“If you are going through hell — just keep going”). This resonates very much with the name of my blog keep going. I interpret it for myself like this: even if you are in very difficult circumstances in your life, even if you are in your worst state — keep moving. Hell is just another stage you need to go through. One way or another, you will reach something good. It will get easier.

“Hell is just another stage you need to go through”

And finally: if you could become any character in a game — who would you choose?

I can name a character from a book :) It would be Robert Langdon from Dan Brown's books. I have always liked how he gets into various absolutely ridiculous situations, and then, using his mind, knowledge of symbols, and all that, he gets out of them.

Wear symbols that unite. Order the RBTNK tag, like Artur's, and join our community.