In civilian life, Mykhailo Halushchak is a scientist, who teaches history at Lviv Polytechnic National University. From the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia he is a serviceman of the 24 Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo.
Now, as Mykhailo says with a smile, he is a practicing historian. Actually, like everyone who defends the country and creates its future. According to his deep conviction, in this war everyone must answer several important questions: who is he and what is he fighting for?
Mykhailo researches the history of the Galician army, the period of the Ukrainian revolution of 1917–1921.
«Many think that the Russian-Ukrainian war started on February 24, 2022. But it is not so. The war did not start even in 2014, it has been going on for centuries. We are now living at a turning point in history when our destiny is being decided. At the beginning of the 20th century, our ancestors, unfortunately, could not maintain their independence. And the consequences were catastrophic: deportation to Siberia, executions, Holodomor... If we could not defend our state in 2022, we would have the same today and could also be divided again. And if not we, our children would live in different states, fight in the armies of different countries for other people’s interests, as it was during the First and Second World Wars, when Ukrainians were on both sides of the front. It was a great tragedy and it is also one of the answers to the question – what are we fighting for now? The answer is – we want our children and grandchildren live in one state and never fight against each other. There is one simple truth in history: if a certain generation does not solve the problems of its time, then they do not disappear anywhere, but are handed over to children or grandchildren», says Mykhailo.
Another lesson of this war, according to Mykhailo Halushchak: we should educate future defenders, telling them about the boys and girls who are now determining the fate of our country.
«Our duty is to preserve the memory of people who are currently creating history. Because the memory of the heroes of the past gives birth to the heroes of the present. Who those boys and girls were, what ideas they nurtured, what they feared, what they loved, what they worried about, what their life was like, what they gave their lives for. In fact, I am proud of the Ukrainian people. At first, no one bet on us in this fight of David against Goliath. We have shown that we can fight effectively against an enemy that greatly outnumbers us. The numbers were against us, but the spirit was on our side», reflects the soldier.
The second important conclusion: Ukraine must become so strong that in the future the enemy would be afraid to even think about invading our land. For this, everyone should make an effort today.
«The more Ukrainians take part in the defense of the country now, the stronger we will become later. With our work, we should do everything so that those who gave their lives for Ukraine did not do it in vain. Every official in his office should have portraits of those who died for the state – people from his village, city, his friends... And when he signs the document, he should look those boys and girls in the eyes and think about the consequences this document will have. Is this how they saw the future of Ukraine? If everyone treats it like this, the country will be strong and free», says Mykhailo.