Russian mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Ilya Bochkov gave a frank interview to Sport, in which he answered the questions questions about the decision to go to the front as a volunteer, the wound from a mortar fragment, compatriots who left Russia, and much more. Now it has been paused, but I plan to perform more, — began the 37-year-old athlete and children's coach from the Novgorod region. — Now I am on a special operation: at the end of September, my release from service due to a wound ended, I underwent rehabilitation — since October I have been here again. In total, I spent more than six months in the NWO zone.
strong>— You ended up at the front in the summer. How did this happen? situation from the very beginning. In the future, I could not endure it, stay at home — I understood that I had to go and help the guys. I saw a lot on the Internet how prisoners of war were mocked … That's how I made this decision.
I served in the artillery troops, but then I ended up in a different structure. I will not delve deeper.
— Was this step hard?
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— There were doubts about a peaceful life: a sports career, children , family. But there was no doubt that I should help the country win as soon as possible.
— I think the relatives were shocked.
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— Wife, yes. But she knows me and treated me with understanding. Parents too … I'm always like that. As in sports: if I feel that I have to do something, I have to go and do what my heart and conscience require. What my mind demands.
«Everything happens here for a reason»
— Fear of death, fear of being captured, fear of losing an arm or leg — how to overcome this in yourself?- Impossible to overcome. It doesn't go anywhere. To die, to be taken prisoner, to remain disabled… The spirit, perhaps, it overcomes, but fear is always present.
—Remarque has a phrase «Each soldier remains alive only thanks to thousands of different accidents» .
— I completely agree! There is something from above that guides us. Everything happens here for a reason. Someone died by accident, someone was carried away — it's all God's will.
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Losses? We face death. But the APU has more losses.
— I follow the events in Ukraine. One gets the impression that this conflict is more of a confrontation between technologies… , no guidance systems without people do not work. I am often at the forefront: the most important thing is done by infantry, assault units that enter enemy positions and clean them up. Although a lot depends on technology.- You recovered relatively quickly after being wounded in the leg. Everything is simple and not accidental. The mine exploded very close, one and a half meters … Lucky. I repeat, everything is God's will — it means that I must continue, I must still work. He recovered from the injury, there were unpleasant moments after it — now everything is in order.
— And later there was a medal.
— «For courage.» They just did their job and were encouraged by state awards.
Do you believe in the imminent end of the SVO? And what factors are important here?
— The only important thing is that our people realize that there really is a war going on, and we have to win in it. Otherwise, the state will not exist — the enemy's goal is to destroy it, and they will not pity us. If those who abstract from the situation understand this, we will win.
There are successes. Somewhere we win, somewhere we stand tightly so that we can’t break through. A positional war is going on, which will not end in the next month or two. And even if there is such a moment that the hostilities end, the enemy will still beat and snap.
— So there is no point in negotiating? br>- It will not be possible to agree with this regime, with its patron. And even if so. This is the time to build up strength, regroup — they will continue to fight with us, shell our cities and kill our people. Moreover, new regions became part of Russia — this is our land. The enemy must be driven out of here and everything must be done so that he does not enter our territory again. jpg»/
«Those who sling mud at our soldiers are traitors»
— The events of February 24 split the society even within the country. Many celebrities, in particular artists, began to speak harshly about the NWO and their attitude towards Russia.
— Somehow got used to it. I consider these people traitors to the motherland. They don't understand why we are here. I also had my doubts at first. For what? Why are we attacking the brotherly people? But having been here and looking, I realized that there should be a CBO. That we must achieve our goals. If the war does not end here, it will come to our home.
—Thousands of our compatriots have left Russia. And not the fact that they will return.
“We didn’t see what was happening. They didn't understand this. Plus, these people can be supporters of the opposition. Many people simply hate power. And this is their position — to be on the other side. Even if we are waging a proper war, they are still against it.
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Of course, not all traitors. Everyone has their own opinion, I respect it. But those who sling mud at us, our soldiers, want defeat — these are really traitors. It's another matter if people have left and don't breed hysteria — let their opinion be on their conscience. Here I do not condemn them.
— Maybe it's our fault, journalists, that people were not sufficiently oriented in the geopolitical agenda? The darkness of Russians On February 24, the word «Donbass» was heard for the first time. Yes, there is a certain flaw in the media. People were not sufficiently dedicated to this topic.
And about the artists I will add. I'm not the only one who thinks that their finances are concentrated in Western countries. The local secret services are working, and the artists are on the hook: «Either you leave and shout at your country, or we'll take yours.»
—The main news of the last few days is the brutal murder of war correspondent Vladlen Tatarsky. Shocking such news on the front end?
— The guys and I are aware. Great tragedy and great loss. I did not personally know him … This is a challenge to our society. that experience can be learned from any situation.“Life experience here is very rich. A lot of things have been rethought in relationships with people, in the value of life. Well, we get combat experience, of course.
— I see photos of comrades who did not return home in your social networks. Is it true that when a person often faces death, the feeling of loss begins to atrophy?
— Indeed, this feeling is dulled. I became callous and rougher, there is no shock and suffering. Yes, we lost guys — everyone can be in their place. It's a pity for the guys, especially when they are close … But it is perceived as follows: we are at war, we ourselves can die. Everything can change at any moment.
— In conclusion. April 2022, before volunteering for the front, and April 2023. After. Am I communicating with a completely different person?
Yes, I am a different person. Became stronger mentally. And more callous… But we will definitely win — everything bright and clear to everyone.