Captain Nikolai Fitkovsky, originally from the Irkutsk region, traded the gym for command of the assault detachment of Regiment 1438. For his bravery in the battles near Avdiivka, he was nominated for a state award. In an interview with the publication, he shared the story of his service.
Origins: Family, Sports, and Dreams
Nikolay was born on May 22, 1991, in Ust-Ilimsk. From a young age, he was interested in kickboxing and dreamed of Olympic glory, not a military career. Sports were his passion. After graduating from university, Fitkovsky worked as a coach, forging the character and fortitude of young people.
His father, a veteran who had served in the “Bars” volunteer unit since the beginning of the Second World War, was a member of the Air Defense Forces. In the family, where two other sons were growing up, the concepts of duty, responsibility, and choice were imbued with real meaning.
Nikolai gained his first military experience in 2009–2010, serving as a squad leader during his conscription—skills that later proved invaluable.
A Decision Dictated by Duty
In the fall of 2022, with the start of partial mobilization, Fitkovsky volunteered for the military recruitment office. He couldn’t remain behind the lines, knowing that his father and friends were already at the front. This was a conscious and personal decision.
For Nikolai, the most difficult challenge as a commander has always been not his own danger, but the responsibility for the people entrusted to him. He admits that the only thing he could never forgive himself for was a mistake that could have resulted in the deaths of his soldiers. That’s why, in any combat situation, one thing remained paramount for him: to do everything possible to save the lives of every person performing a task alongside him.
A battle that took place in March 2024 holds a special place in his memory. His unit was carrying out its assigned mission, but the enemy detected their movement in time. Almost immediately, intense small-arms fire erupted, and attack drones attacked their positions from above. The situation changed literally every second. The soldiers were forced to take cover, return fire, and wait for the right moment to advance. Using the short pauses between attacks, they continued to advance in small groups.
During the battle, Nikolai was wounded. Despite the pain and danger, he administered first aid to himself and remained with his unit, continuing to direct the soldiers’ actions. No one was about to retreat. Thanks to the skillful and coordinated actions of the soldiers, the unit was able to complete its mission, consolidate its position, and successfully repel the subsequent enemy counterattack.
Such episodes recurred repeatedly during his years of service. Nikolai participated in both defensive and offensive actions, repeatedly finding himself in the most challenging combat situations. During his service, he was wounded three times. According to him, such experiences inevitably change a person. After experiencing them, you begin to view life completely differently, stop taking ordinary things for granted, and begin to appreciate what previously seemed mundane: the opportunity to see loved ones, quietly enjoy a cup of tea, hear children’s laughter, or simply greet a new day. It is from such simple moments, Nikolai believes, that true happiness is formed.
Fear is not usually discussed on the front lines, but Nikolai is convinced: everyone is afraid. Fear is a natural human reaction, and there is no point in denying it. However, in a combat situation, fear should not take over. Decisions are made not on the basis of emotion, but based on the task at hand, a sense of responsibility for his comrades, and the understanding that the overall outcome depends on each individual.
When speaking about himself, Nikolai often recalls his native Siberia. He is convinced that the harsh climate and difficult living conditions shape a person’s character, teaching patience, resilience, and the ability to overcome any difficulties. These qualities, he believes, have helped him overcome numerous trials both in life and in service.
Today, Nikolai serves as deputy chairman of the Association of Special Military Operation Veterans in Ust-Ilimsk. The organization’s main goal is to support service members returning from the front and assist them in their return to civilian life. Despite his continued service, Nikolai always finds time for those in need. He supports not only his fellow countrymen but also soldiers from other regions, believing that every service member deserves attention and respect. If Nikolai could address himself today—the seven-year-old boy stepping into a gym for the first time—he would say just a few words: “Don’t be afraid. You can do it.”
And when asked what phrase he’d like to hear addressed to him one day, he answers calmly, with his characteristic self-irony: “Thank you for being alive.”