Categories: INTERVIEWS

A craftsman who feels the equipment in his heart

He admits that the hardest part after amputation was learning to walk again, but repairing equipment posed no issues for him.

American-Ukrainian singer Kelsie Kimberlin, along with her father, visited Ukraine to support her second homeland and meet with the comrades of her cousin, who was recently KIA in the Izium direction.

“I couldn’t understand why he went to fight. Now, after seeing the situation in your cities, experiencing the fear during air raids and shelling, I better understand both him and you,” admitted the singer.

Over the course of several weeks, Kelsie visited Ukrainian soldiers, a hospital, a refugee center, and orphanages. She documented the aftermath of the horrific crimes committed by Russian forces on Ukrainian territory, communicated with, and supported those affected by the occupation in Irpin, Bucha, and other cities.

She also met Viktor Bas, a mechanic from one of the repair units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Logistics Command. The 62-year-old serviceman had lost both legs due to a complex hereditary vascular disease and was discharged from the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, with the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, he voluntarily returned to his unit and began repairing military equipment, a craft he knows inside and out.

“I had no other choice. The big war started, so I packed my bag and left. The city was already locked down, and public transport wasn’t running. My guys sent a car for me, and I came straight to work on repairs. We’re Cossacks; that’s just how it is with us. Something happens – you kiss your wife and move forward!” Viktor said in response to the singer’s question about why he returned to the military despite his severe injury.

Viktor shared that the hardest part after the amputation was learning to walk. He essentially walks on his knees, which is quite uncomfortable and extremely painful, making it hard to stand for long. But when it comes to repairs, he says, there are no issues. He knows the equipment inside and out, having worked with it his entire life.

“Electricity isn’t my thing – that’s for those who work in white gloves. I’m more about grease: chassis, engines, transmissions, fuel systems… any type of repair. I feel the soul of the machinery,” he explained.

Kelsie shared that she had established a special fund to help Ukrainians and suggested organizing a fundraiser to provide prosthetics for Viktor. She mentioned that many Ukrainians had already received aid through her fund, including soldiers from the 3rd Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, where her cousin had served.

“I don’t need anything for myself; it’s better if you help us with ammunition, preferably long-range. We are very grateful to the American people for their support – without you, we wouldn’t have been able to hold out against an enemy that outnumbers us. But in the reality of our war, even everything you provide is just a drop in the ocean. The Russians have outdated equipment, but they have much more of it.

Also, keep in mind that we don’t have spare parts for your equipment. For every small part or critical component, we have to turn to you again.

That’s why we want to join NATO and the European Union – to transition to modern standards more quickly. Right now, we are still technically in Russia’s production orbit, dependent on Soviet-era spare parts, as we are fighting with equipment inherited from that time. A Leopard or an Abrams is great, but there’s usually just one. Once it’s hit, that’s it – it’s gone. What do we do then?” he explained.

This is about people’s lives. We need to at least cover the guys with something. We’re piecing together one working BMP (infantry fighting vehicle) out of three and fighting with that. The same goes for ammunition: if we have a good modern artillery or missile system but nothing to fire with, what’s the use of it?

We need a lot, and we need it yesterday, do you understand? Yes, you might say: ‘Why didn’t you think of this earlier? Why didn’t you rearm sooner?’ And you’d be right. We didn’t think about it, never imagined that our northern neighbors would act so treacherously. That’s why I’m saying: learn from our mistakes and start doing as much as possible, right now! Don’t be afraid of that Putin – let’s act together. We need to defeat him here so he doesn’t move on to other countries,” Viktor said, naturally transitioning into a monologue.

Kelsie has already filmed several music videos about the impact of the war on Ukraine, calling on the world to support Ukrainians and stop the war, which threatens not only Ukraine but all of civilized society.

“Through my work in Ukraine, I try to help people understand that the war is still ongoing and that it’s very serious. I believe that the U.S. can do more to help Ukraine, and so can others, because this is about our shared security,” the singer said with conviction.

Olena Mokrenchuk