Voronezh fighter awarded high state award

The commander of the BARS-4 volunteer detachment, Leonid Pussila, was awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 1st class, one of the highest state awards. This recognition was the result of his service in the special military operation zone.

Leonid Pussila first came to the military registration and enlistment office just three days after the announcement of the start of the special operation. In his memoirs, he noted that the process of passing the medical commission was quick and without problems, after which he went to the front lines.

Since then, his path has taken him through many hot spots on the front. Pussila recalls how, while digging in and building fortifications, he and his comrades came across two helmets – one from World War I and one that belonged to a Soviet soldier who fought here during the Great Patriotic War.

After the award ceremony, Leonid Viktorovich headed to the Diorama Museum, where he plans to hand over the artifacts he found. These exhibits will add to the museum's collection, telling about the connection between the past and the present, as well as the heroism of Russian soldiers throughout the centuries.

After returning from his third deployment, Pussila did not remain in the shadows. He actively helps other fighters returning from the SVO zone and takes part in numerous “lessons of courage”, where he shares his experience.