“A fragment fell under a bulletproof vest”: relatives of a contract soldier who died in Syria. “A fragment fell under a bulletproof vest”: relatives of a contract soldier who died in Syria, Igor enviable, who died in Syria

On April 9, two Russian servicemen were killed in a mortar attack by Islamist militants in Syria. According to the Ministry of Defense, the contractors, along with the Russian military adviser, were in one of the units of the Syrian troops. And they were gunnery instructors. Another soldier was seriously wounded during the mine explosion. Now doctors in the hospital are fighting for his life.

About one of the dead, 34-year-old Igor Yuryevich Zavidny, his relatives, friends and colleagues told MK.

Igor Zavidny was from Novotroitsk, Orenburg region. Classmates remember well two cheerful, smiling brothers - twins Igor and Zhenya Zavidny.

“Igor was born 10 minutes earlier than me,” says his brother Evgeny. “We were always together, we didn’t share anything, we had everything in common. Together they did karate, then skiing. They were very friendly, one whole. It's very hard for me now. I have no other siblings. After school, Igor and I entered the metallurgical college. But my brother could not study there, probably, he was simply not interested, he went to a vocational school, received the specialty "auto mechanic". Then we were both drafted into the army. But both got delayed. I entered the institute in Buzuluk, and Igor injured his ligaments. Then he said, "I'm going to serve." He went through training in the Perm region, and later served in Omsk, in the railway troops.

— Do you have military people in your family?

- Great-grandfather fought in the Great Patriotic War, uncle was a military man.

— How did Igor become a sniper?

- After military service, he got a job at a metallurgical plant. Then he said: "I will go to Chechnya under a contract." There he first served as an armored personnel carrier driver, then became a machine gunner and then - a sniper - reconnaissance. Was on business trips in Dagestan and Ingushetia. It was his business. He found himself in the military field. After three years of the contract, he returned from Chechnya, tried to work somewhere in the security, but quickly got bored. And he decided to go back to the army. He went to serve in a military unit in Totskoye, trained special forces guys. I want to say that Igor was a patriot, he loved Russia. Never served for money.

See also: I don't want to live

- Did Igor have a family?

- He left a son Maxim from his first marriage. For the last 4 years he lived with his common-law wife Elena, helped raise her two daughters. After his return from a business trip to Syria, they planned to sign.

Did you have a premonition that trouble might happen to your brother?

“There were no signs of trouble. Igor and I talked on Skype the day before. He had two days left before the end of the trip. April 11, he was supposed to return home.

- Colleagues did not tell under what circumstances Igor died?

“Their group provided cover for the sappers. Suddenly mortar shelling began. They were already returning to their location, and just there the mines began to explode. Although they were all wearing bulletproof vests, a fragment hit my brother in the back, under the armor.

“Igorek, you were a wonderful commander, and just a great person, the company would be empty without you,” writes Evgeny. “Now no one will shout: “Redhead, you are smoking again, and you only have one puff to live like that ...” We were waiting for you to return in full strength ... Alas, fate decreed otherwise. Sleep well, we will remember you.

Read also: Russia is waiting for a new blow from Tajikistan

“Igor, you were essentially my brother. You are the best commander. I will never forget our conversations for hours on heart to heart in outfits, - writes Vladimir. “In a year and a half, you have become my own person. I always remember your jokes and laughter. I remember how we angered Vitka with the phrase: “What do you mean? ..” I remember everything: competitions, rain, tower and when we drank coffee. I remember Yekaterinburg, Khabarovsk and Samara. I remember the cold, extreme loads, wet uniforms and your advice. All this will remain in my heart. The earth rest in peace to you."

Friends note Igor's decency and honesty. “He was the right guy. And that says it all, ”says his friend Oleg about him.

“Igor was a soldier of his country, he fought against terrorists who sow death for all of us,” says his colleague Alexei. - For him, the concept of "Motherland" and "Honor" were sacred. Igor was at the forefront all the time. He was awarded a medal "for the return of the Crimea." He was a loving father and husband. He flew home all the time, as if on wings. The whole day today I remember Vysotsky's song: "Death chooses the best and pulls one at a time ..." Unfortunately the best go first...

“I have known Igor for a long time, he was one of those who can be called a Man with a capital letter in relation to women,” Elena shares with us in turn. - He served under contracts for many years, and could no longer work "in civilian life", he felt needed only where he could fight. In a peaceful life, he did not find a place for himself. Passed many "hot spots". At the same time, he did not become embittered, did not harden his soul, did not become a cynic. He remained a very open, kind guy.

Read also: In Tallinn, they demanded the return of “annexed by Russia

On his page on the social network, Igor Zavidny posted articles about training snipers, night battles, booby traps, camouflage, extreme medicine, how to properly bandage a hand wound and injury, how to equip a shelter from the weather. And shared links to films about sniper art.

“Together with Igor, we worked in security, in a mobile group in the Chelyabinsk region,” says Vasily. “He was a very cheerful, cheerful guy. Very reliable, one of those with whom you could go on reconnaissance. He was always ready to share everything and, if necessary, come to the rescue. It was very difficult for us to work "in civilian life", both of them were enough for only six months. Then both quit, I went to my place in St. Petersburg, and he went to serve on a contract basis in a military unit in Totskoye. Igor always aspired to return to the army. It was a real man's job. We were constantly in touch with him. He was just about to come to visit me in St. Petersburg.

Igor Zavidny will be buried with military honors on April 13 in his native Novotroitsk. A memorial service will be held at the Youth Center.

According to the Ministry of Defense, Russian military personnel are presented by the command for state awards.

About one of the dead, 34-year-old Igor Yuryevich Zavidny, his relatives, friends and colleagues told MK.

Igor Zavidny was from Novotroitsk, Orenburg region. Classmates remember well two cheerful, smiling brothers - twins Igor and Zhenya Zavidny.

— Do you have military people in your family?

- Great-grandfather fought in the Great Patriotic War, uncle was a military man.

— How did Igor become a sniper?

- Did Igor have a family?

Did you have a premonition that trouble might happen to your brother?

“There were no signs of trouble. Igor and I talked on Skype the day before. He had two days left before the end of the trip. April 11, he was supposed to return home.

- Colleagues did not tell under what circumstances Igor died?

Friends note Igor's decency and honesty. “He was the right guy. And that says it all, ”says his friend Oleg about him.

Igor Zavidny will be buried with military honors on April 13 in his native Novotroitsk. A memorial service will be held at the Youth Center.

According to the Ministry of Defense, Russian military personnel are presented by the command for state awards.

Journalists learned about the death in Syria of another Russian soldier who served under the contract. Igor Zavidny, according to his twin brother Yevgeny, died the day before, on April 9, RBC reports. Earlier, the media have already written that since the beginning of 2017, Russia has suffered much more losses in Syria than officially reported.

"Covered with mortar fire, and two people died. By a lucky chance, his colleague refused to go, and a guy from another unit went instead," the brother of the deceased soldier told the publication, while he did not specify the name of the second deceased soldier.

“After military service, Igor worked at a metallurgical plant, and then went on a contract. He was on a contract for three years: Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia. After Chechnya, he went to serve in Totskoye (Orenburg region),” added Evgeny Zavidny.

In the afternoon, April 10, a friend of the mother of the Zavidny brothers Irina Zubova on her page in Facebook expressed condolences to the family and friends of the soldier and published his photographs.

“On April 9, while performing a combat mission in Syria, the son of my beautiful friend Zavidny Igor Yuryevich died. He was born on July 3, 1982 in the city of Novotroitsk, Orenburg Region. Tomorrow, the coffin with his son will be brought to his mother in the city for burial,” she wrote.

On March 22, the Conflict Intelligence Team, which conducts independent investigations of military conflicts, reported the death of nine Russians in Syria. As CIT activists found out, at least six of the dead were mercenaries of the so-called "Wagner group". It was about those who died in the period from the end of January to the end of February 2017.

At the same time, Reuters reported that since the end of January, Russia has suffered three times more losses in Syria than officially reported. According to the evidence collected by the agency, since January 29 - that is, during the period of intense fighting for the capture of Palmyra - 18 Russians have died in the SAR. At the same time, the Ministry of Defense officially confirmed in 2017 the data on only five victims. In total, 29 people officially died during the Russian military operation in Syria, including one non-combat loss.

The CIT, in turn, also recalled other recent reports of the death of Russians in Syria. In early March, it became known about the death of Vasily Yurlin from Tolyatti in the Arab Republic. Judging by the data from social networks, the Russian went to Syria to serve "under the contract" and died on February 20. Previously, Yurlin served in the Airborne Forces. The CIT suggests that he could also be a Wagner PMC fighter.

In addition, on March 6, the press got information about the death of Ivan Slyshkin in Syria. It was reported that he died while performing a combat mission on February 12 and was buried in the Chelyabinsk region on March 2. The Kremlin and the Ministry of Defense did not confirm the information about the death of Slyshkin in Syria. Friends of the deceased said that he was a Wagner PMC fighter. Prior to that, Slyshkin served in Chechnya under a contract.

In memory of I.Yu. enviable

On City Day we bury a soldier,

He became a Cargo-200 fighter in Syria.

He passed with a faithful friend-machine

There are many points where lead walked.

I was in Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia,

More than once he descended into pitch hell.

And now the procession is getting wider towards him,

About him lightly, saying goodbye, they say.

Here he was born, ran to school nearby

And he did karate with his brother.

He has long been familiar with the taste of victory,

The aspiration of the spirit to this height.

There was a great-grandfather in the war and an uncle too.

And he first served in Omsk.

But in a peaceful life, something gnaws at the heart,

Can't live without an army.

Mother tried to dissuade, but where is it!

Everyone has their own path, their own destiny.

She is sometimes until dawn

She prayed, tears from God did not melt.

Finally, her son returned to her,

But in zinc, alas, the coffin is sealed.

He seems to be sleeping, but just do not wake up

Him, his own mother, to console him.

Only her twin son remained her support,

Even if he lives in a different city.

And the grandson himself will soon become a soldier,

We don't have any enemies.

Like a strong Russia bone in the throat,

Its spaces are in a hurry to share.

And therefore we must strengthen the strength

And to perform feats in that struggle.

Yes, Syria is like a terrible battlefield,

Where does the plague creep on the Earth.

And escorts Igor with a prayer

The whole city, and the houses stoop.

Peace be upon your ashes, soldier without a term,

And the kingdom of heaven for

As on the far frontiers of vice

Fought with him in the squad you are a saint

Today, exactly one year has passed since the death of a serviceman from Novotroitsk, Igor Zavidny, in Syria. Igor's group provided cover for the sappers. Upon returning to the location, they came under mortar fire. All the servicemen were wearing bulletproof vests, but a fragment hit him in the back.

Colleagues talk about what kind of person he was:

- Igor was a soldier of his country, he fought against terrorists who sowed death for all of us, - a colleague Alexei shares his memories. - For him, the concept of "Motherland" and "Honor" - were saints. Igor was at the forefront all the time. He was awarded a medal "for the return of the Crimea." He adored his beloved and flew home as if on wings. I remember the words from the song of Vladimir Vysotsky: “Death chooses the best and pulls them one by one ....” Unfortunately, the best leave first ...

- Igor was essentially my brother. It was him who I considered the best commander. I will never forget our conversations for hours heart to heart in outfits, - Vladimir recalls. - For a year and a half, you became a dear person to me. I always remember your jokes and laughter. I remember how we angered Vitka with the phrase: “What do you mean? ..” I remember everything: competitions, rain, tower and when we drank coffee. I remember Yekaterinburg, Khabarovsk and Samara. I remember the cold, extreme loads, wet uniforms and your advice. All this will remain in my heart.

Friends note Igor's decency and honesty. “He was the right guy. And that says it all, ”says his friend Oleg about him.

-Together with Igor, we worked in security, in a mobile group in the Chelyabinsk region, - says Vasily, Igor's colleague. - He was a very cheerful, cheerful guy. Very reliable, one of those with whom you could go on reconnaissance. He was always ready to share everything and, if necessary, come to the rescue. It was very difficult for us to work "in civilian life", both of them were enough for only six months. Then they both quit, I went to my place in St. Petersburg, and he went to serve on a contract basis in a military unit in Totskoye. Igor always aspired to return to the army. It was a real man's job. We were constantly in touch with him. He was just about to come to visit me in St. Petersburg.

The dream of the father to come to the city on the Neva last year was realized by the son. The boy, together with his grandmother Larisa, visited Northern Palmyra, where he spent several unforgettable days.

Igor's mother, Larisa Valerievna, recalls that it was sometimes difficult for her and her father to understand their sons. No matter what happens, one was silent like a rock and did not betray the other.

- It was difficult to raise two kids at once. But the guys didn’t upset us much with their father. But if something happened, both stood up for each other. Studied well. There was no great desire, but they understood that withouteducation is not possible. I think that in this regard, my dad and I were an example for them.

When it came time to choose a professional path, which took place at the end of the 90s of the last century, the boys chose educational institutions with a technical bias. It was difficult for us with their dad to choose sons. How could they help and give advice if they asked for it.

Now the grandson is pleased with his academic success. He is a cadet of the Presidential Corps in Orenburg. And although it is not easy for him, his achievements are impressive. From an ordinary boy, Maxim turns into a successful cadet.

Do not forget about the nephew and uncle. Zhenya visits Maxim several times a year. Together we were on the oath of the grandson. Zhenya and Maxim are constantly in contact by phone and the Internet.

By Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of July 1, 2017 No. 296ss "For courage, courage and selflessness in the performance of military duty, Sergeant Zavidny Igor Yuryevich was awarded the Order of Courage (posthumously)".

"Igor was a patriot, he loved Russia. He never served for money"

April 9 in Syria, with mortar shelling by Islamist militants,. According to the Ministry of Defense, the contractors, along with the Russian military adviser, were in one of the units of the Syrian troops. And they were gunnery instructors. Another soldier was seriously wounded during the mine explosion. Now doctors in the hospital are fighting for his life.

About one of the dead, 34-year-old Igor Yuryevich Zavidny, his relatives, friends and colleagues told MK.

Igor Zavidny was from Novotroitsk, Orenburg region. Classmates remember well two cheerful, smiling brothers - twins Igor and Zhenya Zavidny.

Igor was born 10 minutes earlier than me, - says his brother Evgeny. - We were always together, we did not share anything, we had everything in common. Together they did karate, then skiing. They were very friendly, one whole. It's very hard for me now. I have no other siblings. After school, Igor and I entered the metallurgical college. But my brother could not study there, probably, he was simply not interested, he went to a vocational school, received the specialty "auto mechanic". Then we were both drafted into the army. But both got delayed. I entered the institute in Buzuluk, and Igor injured his ligaments. Then he said, "I'm going to serve." He went through training in the Perm region, and later served in Omsk, in the railway troops.

- Do you have soldiers in your family?

Great-grandfather fought in the Great Patriotic War, uncle was a military man.

- How did Igor become a sniper?

After military service, he got a job at a metallurgical plant. Then he said: "I will go to Chechnya under a contract." There he first served as an armored personnel carrier driver, then became a machine gunner and then - a sniper - reconnaissance. Was on business trips in Dagestan and Ingushetia. It was his business. He found himself in the military field. After three years of the contract, he returned from Chechnya, tried to work somewhere in the security, but quickly got bored. And he decided to go back to the army. He went to serve in a military unit in Totskoye, trained special forces guys. I want to say that Igor was a patriot, he loved Russia. Never served for money.

- Did Igor have a family?

He left a son Maxim from his first marriage. For the last 4 years he lived with his common-law wife Elena, helped raise her two daughters. After his return from a business trip to Syria, they planned to sign.

Did you have a premonition that trouble might happen to your brother?

Nothing foreshadowed trouble. Igor and I talked on Skype the day before. He had two days left before the end of the trip. April 11, he was supposed to return home.

- Colleagues did not tell under what circumstances Igor died?

Their group provided cover for the sappers. Suddenly mortar shelling began. They were already returning to their location, and just there the mines began to burst. Although they were all wearing bulletproof vests, a fragment hit my brother in the back, under the armor.

“Igorek, you were a wonderful commander, and just a great person, the company would be empty without you,” writes Evgeny. - Now no one will shout: “Redhead, you are smoking again, and you only have one puff to live like that ...” We were waiting for you to return in full force ... Alas, fate decreed otherwise. Sleep well, we will remember you.

“Igor, you were essentially my brother. You are the best commander. I will never forget our conversations for hours on heart to heart in outfits, - writes Vladimir. - For a year and a half, you became a dear person to me. I always remember your jokes and laughter. I remember how we angered Vitka with the phrase: “What do you mean? ..” I remember everything: competitions, rain, tower and when we drank coffee. I remember Yekaterinburg, Khabarovsk and Samara. I remember the cold, extreme loads, wet uniforms and your advice. All this will remain in my heart. The earth rest in peace to you."

Friends note Igor's decency and honesty. “He was the right guy. And that says it all, ”says his friend Oleg about him.

Igor was a soldier of his country, he fought against terrorists who sowed death for all of us, - says his colleague Alexei. - For him, the concept of "Motherland" and "Honor" - were saints. Igor was at the forefront all the time. He was awarded a medal "for the return of the Crimea." He was a loving father and husband. He flew home all the time, as if on wings. The whole day today I remember Vysotsky's song: "Death chooses the best and pulls one by one ..." Unfortunately, the best leave first ...

I have known Igor for a long time, he was one of those who can be called a Man with a capital letter in relation to women, - Elena shares with us in turn. - He served under contracts for many years, and could no longer work "in civilian life", he felt needed only where he could fight. In a peaceful life, he did not find a place for himself. Passed many "hot spots". At the same time, he did not become embittered, did not harden his soul, did not become a cynic. He remained a very open, kind guy.

Together with Igor, we worked in security, in a mobile group in the Chelyabinsk region, - says Vasily. - He was a very cheerful, cheerful guy. Very reliable, one of those with whom you could go on reconnaissance. He was always ready to share everything and, if necessary, come to the rescue. It was very difficult for us to work "in civilian life", both of them were enough for only six months. Then they both quit, I went to my place in St. Petersburg, and he went to serve on a contract basis in a military unit in Totskoye. Igor always aspired to return to the army. It was a real man's job. We were constantly in touch with him. He was just about to come to visit me in St. Petersburg.

Igor Zavidny will be buried with military honors on April 13 in his native Novotroitsk. A memorial service will be held at the Youth Center.

According to the Ministry of Defense, Russian military personnel are presented by the command for state awards.