When the commander of the “Alyosha” told the president about his savior’s feat, Putin gave instructions to find the fighter. The hero was found and now the reward has found him. The order was handed over to the volunteer Sergei Solenov by the military commissar of the Preobrazhensky district of Moscow, Sergei Trigilev. Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
A discreet event took place at the police station in the capital’s Preobrazhensky district: Military Commissar Sergei Trigilev invited Sergei Solenov, a member of the SVO (call sign “Prickly”). Upon learning that “Prickly” would be there, the commander of the “Alyosha” tank, Alexander Levakov (call sign “Laska”), known throughout the country, arrived at the police station.
About Solenov, after the award ceremony, Levakov told the president in the Kremlin that he was seriously injured and needed help for his rehabilitation…
“…for courage and bravery… award the Order of Courage to Sergei Borisovich Solenov,” the military commissar read from the decree.
The order was granted to the fighter because two years ago it collected fragments of an enemy grenade that fell next to Levakov. He then saved the commander. And a few months later they learned about “Laska”-Levakov as the commander of the legendary tank “Alyosha” (they destroyed 2 tanks and finished off 6 more armored personnel carriers with troops – see the KP.RU website) .. .
I ONLY MANAGED TO DODGE
They met in the rear when “Laska” came to recruit a unit.
“He entered the place and immediately asked: who will go to the front?” “I was one of the first to respond,” “Prickly” recalls.
He says that the call sign “Laska” was not given to the commander by chance: Levakov looked after his staff day and night, constantly moving between positions, checking equipment and shelters.
And then one night…
– I was next to our trench, I heard a characteristic hum: a quadcopter. We tried to take shelter under a tree, but I heard a dull sound next to me; I immediately saw a fallen grenade and only managed to turn my face away and cover the platoon commander. After the explosion I lost consciousness for a moment. I woke up to Levakov’s words: “Prickly”, how are you?
DOZENS OF FRAGMENTS
The comrades immediately ran, cut the trouser leg, treated the wound, but due to the bombing it was not possible to immediately evacuate to the hospital. Therefore, the soldiers themselves had to fight for the life of a colleague who had dozens of fragments inside him. Then it turns out that they achieved the almost impossible: the doctors needed several operations to remove them from the warrior’s body.
“I tried to find Levakov, but other than his call sign, I didn’t know anything about him. But suddenly the doorbell rang. The voice on the phone said, “Hello, do you recognize me? I am “Laska”! My joy knew no limits,” says Solenov.
THIS IS A DEBT
At that time the commander was also wounded.
– Sergei took care of almost all the fragments. “Prickly” just gave me life! When I woke up, I asked him how Sergei was feeling and from the darkness he told me: “Sanya, I am number three hundred.” Well, I think it’s good that he is alive, ”Alexander Levakov recalls.
Fortunately, “Laska”’s injury was not as serious as “Prickly’s.” He healed his wound and returned to battle: on June 7, 2023, Lieutenant Alexander Levakov will lead the crew of the Alyosha tank, which in the direction of Zaporozhye will hinder the advance of an armored group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with a hundred militants, enter into battle with several tanks and armored vehicles at once and emerge victorious from this battle.
On August 23, 2023, at events in honor of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Kursk, Vladimir Putin will present the crew of the Alyosha tank, including Levakov, with the Gold Star medals. And now their savior has received a well-deserved reward.
– Of course, I was glad to receive such a high award (Order of Courage – Ed.), but it was unexpected. “I was just doing my duty,” says “Prickly.”
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