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Prior to full-scale Russian invasion in Ukraine, the 43-year-old Olena Ryzh Ivanenko used to be a top manager in a restaurant business. Now, she is a combat medic of the 47th Magura Motorized Rifle Brigade. We meet her at the Kyiv office of Leleka. A bright, charismatic, loud lady, she talks about two years of military service in Ukraine, Oleh Sentsov and Valery Markus, her will and face masks in her tactical backpack.
Olena, why is "Ryzh" your call sign ?
Ryzh — red, the color of the soul. My inner child is the red-haired Pippi Longstocking. It's already a part of my name. Even in civilian life, everyone knew me as the restaurateur Elena Ryzh, so it was logical to take is as a pseudonym.
Who were you in civilian life and why did you decide to join the army?
I come from Odesa region myself, although born in Belarus. My dad is Belarusian, and my mom is Ukrainian. I have 22 years of experience in restaurant industry. I went a way from a waitress to a project manager and a trainer in service and communications. Almost half of my life in Kyiv I've lived in Kyiv.
I was volunteering for the first months of the full-scale invasion, and my restaurant business was put on hold. However, after deoccupation of Kyiv region, I returned to my usual life and restaurant industry. One day, my girlfriends and I were walking by St. Michael's Cathedral in Kyiv. We approached the wall of memory, where photos of the dead [soldiers who died defending Ukraine] hang. I glanced at the list, which included hundreds of people from 2014 to 2022, and thought: "Where was I at that time? They were fighting for me while I was living my wonderful life."
I can't say that I decided to go to war at that particular moment. I had a strong feeling that I couldn't live on as if nothing had happened. That I was in debt to those who were already at the front lines. It took me six months to prepare myself physically and psychologically for military service. And on December 14, my service in the army began.
How did the conscription service react to you, a girl with purple hair? Why did you choose the 47th Special Rifle Brigade?
I understood that there would be many questions for a military girl with an unorthodox appearance. However, I gave myself a word to remain authentic. When I came to sign up and said that I wanted to serve in the 47th brigade, six men came out to me, stood and looked at me as if I were a curiosity. I said: “What, have you never had women here?” I came to them three more times, we talked a lot, they tried to dissuade me from going to the 47th brigade. But in fact, there was no denigration, contempt or ridicule.
I joined to the unit having heard the story of Valery Marcus. The assurances, that it would be a brigade with respect for people. In fact, I have never regretted choosing the 47th. Yes, I temporarily left it, I was in the GUR [Defence Intelligence of Ukraine] for a year, but I returned again. I am proud of this unit, my comrades-in-arms, and my commanders. I have seen Marcus several times during my service, and after he had been transferred from the brigade, we met two or three times at the funerals of our comrades.
Now Valeriy loudly reminded of himself and burst into the information space. I had said before that when he was ready to talk, he would tell everything himself. Here he steps forward and tells. And each of us will draw our own conclusions from what we have heard.
Your current commander is Oleh Sentsov [a famous Ukrainian filmmaker who had spend 5 years as a prisoner in Russia between 2014 and 2019]. Did you have any preconceived notions about him based on his work, his media portrayal, and how do they contrast with Oleh as a military man?
To be honest, I didn’t know who Oleh Sentsov was at all. I had been told that he was a director, a writer, a public figure, a political prisoner, but I didn’t really care. I was only interested in who I would be under his leadership, whether he would give me the opportunity to save lives, learn, and grow professionally.
Oleh “Grunt” and I became friends. Out of my entire military family, I work with him the most often. I don’t have a single combat sortie without him. During the Kharkiv operation, we had four long sorties, we sat together in one dugout for a week. So for me, he is a mentor, a teacher, the best commander, a comrade, a real authority.
How did you get into tactical medicine? Did you immediately know it was your thing?
I understood one thing: I definitely didn't want to sit in the headquarters and translate papers. I wanted the position to be combat-oriented. Every weekend, for three months before the service, I trained at a private training center. And of all the classes I took, I liked military tactics and medicine. Already in the service, I was initially offered the position of rifleman-medic. I said that I didn't know what it was, but agreed. Actually, this position combined both tactics and medicine. Everything was just as I wanted.
My first battle took place in Zaporizhia region. It was a counterattack, a lot of people died. I was injured, I ended up in the hospital. At the same time, I realized that I wanted to bring life, not death. That I wanted to save, not kill, even if it was about the enemy. After recovering, I applied for training in tactical medicine.
Two months later, I was sent to the UK for six weeks. It was a high-level training, combining theory and practice. Classes had actors who were made up, had imitations of their limbs being severed, and made the situations as close to reality as possible. They trained us according to the full program. It was there that I first learned about the conversion and movement of a tourniquet.
Upon return to Ukraine, I transferred to GUR - together with "my people" from the 47th. And I stayed there for almost a year. I became a combat medic, I was at the very front lines along with everyone. My last military operation lasted three months in the Kharkiv region. There I worked not in infantry, but as a combat medic.
When, for a number of reasons, my comrades and I returned to the 47th, I asked to serve on medevacs with the battalion medics — to gain experience. Little by little, I began to teach novice medics and realized that there was a great need for this. And I can put all my knowledge into them, both as a combat medic and as an infantrywoman.
You have already mentioned campaigns in Zaporizhia and Kharkiv regions, what other operations did have you took part in with your unit? Where was it most difficult for you and your comrades?
Apart from Zaporizhia and Kharkiv directions, we were in Avdiivka, Sumy, and also in Chasiv Yar. Currently, my unit is performing tasks in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation. The most difficult thing for me psychologically and emotionally was in Chasik [Chasiv Yar]. Perhaps because it is work in an urban development.
Can you recall any complex injury cases you've worked with, complex evacuations?
My first wounded was my brother (in-arms) Dima. I took his ammunition off, put on three tourniquets, turned him over, gave him a pillbox, and was trying to calm him down the whole time. I prepared him for evacuation, but unfortunately, he died during that same evacuation (due to an RPG attack on the Bradley — author's note).
Another Dima, with the call sign "Al-Qaeda", blew up on a grenade. I, a medic-shooter, didn't have enough experience at that time. He was covered in wounds, blood was gushing out. He screamed a lot, didn't let anyone near him. He is one of the best soldiers I know, but he had a hard time enduring the pain. It was very difficult for me, but the main thing is that the man survived.
What is the role of high-quality tactical medical equipment in a critical situation? We understand that, first of all, much depends on the skills of a combat medic and how automatic his actions are in stressful conditions. But how much can an arsenal of equipment at hand help a trained, educated person?
In times of stress, a person drops not to the level of their knowledge, but to the level of their skills. One needs to constantly practice, all actions must be honed to automatism. High-quality tactical medical supplies certainly save, but you need to use it skillfully.
Does your unit conduct analytical work on the medical part? Are there statistics on injuries, do the medics have GoPro cameras to review their work later?
Of course it does. We debrief absolutely all the sorties with the commander: both our own and others'. We analyze whether the aid was provided correctly, the devices applied, what we did and did not do, whether we stormed correctly, whether the group moved correctly, who fell behind and for what reason. There are no statistics on injuries as such.
Some of us are equipped with GoPro cameras, this is purely at own the request of the medic. I recorded videos for myself, watched them again to understand where, what and how I did wrong. I showed them to my experienced fellow combat medics, we discussed them together, they gave advice.
In one of your interviews you said that you had instructions in case of your own death. When did you decide to write it and why is it important to you?
This will is about responsibility to my loved ones. I make decisions about how I want to live, I shape my life the way I see fit. And I would like them to bury me the way I want to — for example, not bring plastic flowers or wreaths. That's the first thing.
Secondly, I don't want to burden my relatives with unnecessary issues. For example, I rent an apartment. Let's imagine that I died. Someone needs to gather my things there, give the keys to the landlord. My relatives need to know how to do it, who to go to.
Also, my relatives have an algorithm of actions in case I go missing. They have a list of people and phone numbers to contact. They know my comrades in absentia, in which direction I am, in which unit I serve, who my commanders are.
It is a big mistake when the military people play into secret services, and when the trouble happens, the family doesn't know where to look or where to knock at. I really ask all newcomers — give your relatives all the information about where you are, who you are with, leave your phones! Because there will be no payments later, no decisions, nothing will be achieved.
I have a file with phone and bank card passwords. And there is also a document with links to folders, each of which contains video messages to my loved ones: parents, sister, girlfriends, social media followers, people I want to say the last word to. I periodically re-record them: something changes or new people appear with whom I want to say goodbye.
I came to this prior to the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region, because I understood that I might not return from there.
How did you find out about our foundation, have you received any assistance?
I first heard about Leleka Foundation during the "Book Country" festival. Then, together with Vitya Lakhno with the call sign "Leleka", we passed by the foundation's stand and saw the name on the tent. I jokingly asked him - is it yours? We came closer, looked around. And a few days later, my brother sent a link, said that Leleka could provide fully-equipped combat medic backpacks. So for the second time in a week I came across the foundation. The puzzles were solved. I submitted a request. I received the package with the medical kit in Kharkiv region.
How important is volunteer/charity work to you personally and to the unit?
Benefactors and volunteers are not only about material things, they are about involvement and moral support. They help me, they care about my needs — I always thank them. I will thank sincerely both for a singlet tourniquet, and for a hundred. I agree with Maria Berlinska, who says that the war will be won not by the military, but by the people. It doesn’t matter that I am at the front lines, and you in Kyiv are processing applications from me and my brothers. We are working together for our victory. I do not shake hands with people who stand aside from all this.
In one of your interviews, you said that Kyiv inspired you, that you gained strength here before completing tasks. How does this work, because most military personnel, on the contrary, complain that civilian cities irritate them?
I love Kyiv, I am inspired by it, I love coming here, meeting friends, visiting cultural events and institutions. I am only triggered by Russian speakers. They teach children this language, consume Russian content. This is simply maddening. I make remarks about the language to both civilians and my brothers-in-arms. It should not be heard anywhere. Period.
Depression, nervous breakdowns, panic attacks — are these phenomena more common among combat medics or among ordinary soldiers? What psychological self-help do you practice?
I can’t say that combat medics suffer more than other soldiers. Everyone gets it. I can help myself, I have internal support. I am constantly in touch with a therapist. I can’t say anything for other soldiers.
First and foremast, a person must want to get out of a destructive state. There are military psychologists and chaplains in the units, one doesn’t need to be shy about asking them for help. The command must definitely monitor mental health of their subordinates. It's the 21st century — there are professionals one can contact online and get quality help.
I always talk and write on social media — if I can be of any use to any of you, even just to listen, please reach out.
Personally, I have a very empathetic and supportive environment. I have been building these relationships for a very long time. However, now I easily remove those with whom I don't share common values from my life.
You are quite active on social media. Could this be considered one of the ways to help yourself stay mentally strong?
Of course. Everything I talk about on social media, everything I share is kind of a therapy for me. An opportunity to share experiences or feelings with others. Almost all of my posts come from some single phrase that is spinning in my head.
You are very bright and stylish. How do you manage to remain so on the front lines?
I promised myself to stay myself — I wouldn't change anything, neither my hairstyle, nor the color of my hair. The commander only reprimands me for swearing, but not my hair color.
I always have face masks and skincare products in my backpack . In the trenches I use a dry shower, creams, and hygiene products. When I visit Kyiv, I visit a beautician. It is important for me to stay well-groomed under any conditions. I'll point out about my love for a comfortable and beautiful military uniform separately. I get a kick out of being a girl, although for now I wear multicam instead of dresses.
What gender biases have you personally encountered in the army and how did you fight back?
I have a pendant with a mantra “My Universe takes care of me.” On my life path, I met only worthy men, warriors, commanders. There were some moments when I was told that a woman had no place in a combat unit or was harshly teased. However, I immediately put them in their place, because I know how to stand up for myself.
I'm a member of group chat with my sisters-in-arms, which is full of women from different units. There we share experiences, support each other, and, of course, tell different stories. And when I hear from the girls about how they are treated by male soldiers, my hair stands on the end. But personally, I haven't come across such jerks.
You once said you wanted to write a book. What would it be about?
This will certainly be a biographical publication, memoirs. It will include little stories about what keeps me going, fills me, and makes me Olena Ryzh. From manicures, Crocs, and my soft toy Wolf, who is always with me, to my army family and brothers-in-arms. I have to write the book first and foremost for myself. However, I admit that it is hard to write. It is quite difficult to find inspiration right now.
What would you like to do after winning? Is there anything you've always put aside?
I won’t surprise you with anything, I won’t say anything unique. I’ll go to my parents in the Odesa region. My whole family will gather there, I’ll be with my relatives for a while. And then I’ll travel across Ukraine – to the graves of all my brothers and sisters.
For me, victory is when I will know for sure that no one else is going to die. And when we bring everyone back from captivity and Russian prisons. When our people return from abroad. I'm not waiting for victory, I'm just doing my job and moving towards it.
Interview by Yuliia Trypolska,
Leleka Foundation / Leleka Ukraine
Published: December 17, 2024
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