FILIN (the phonetic spelling of Филин, “Eagle Owl”) was an instructor for the Vostok Brigade at Yasynuvata when I joined the Novorussian Army in December 2014. He was only 21 years old at the time, but he was already a combat veteran who seemed much older, despite his baby face. He was someone I respected from the moment I met him. He was a brave and serious soldier and an excellent instructor. He was also a genuinely nice guy. He was from Makeevka, just outside Donetsk. He was defending the land he was born in from foreign-backed Nazis who were coming here to enslave the Russian speaking people of Donbass. He refused to be a slave and was willing to fight and die to protect others. He was a quiet guy who led and encouraged others by his own example. He was brave, kind and generous. He was exactly the kind of guy this world needs more of. Fedorov Ruslan Petrovich, “Eagle Owl” will be missed.
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Fedorov Ruslan Petrovich. Not just a friend of mine, or of Novorossiya, this Hero was an example and a friend to all good people in the world. We will build a monument to Heroes like this, hopefully in Kiev after we liberate it. | ||
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