war story
Kyiv, Ukraine - Nov 17, 2024
The Road to Fight: The Story of a Young Ukrainian Stormtrooper
The Road to Fight:
The Story of a
Young Ukrainian
Stormtrooper
This is about
Danylo “Surfer” Smirnov
aiThis story is about a young
man with the call sign "Surfer"
who, at the age of 19, became
the embodiment of courage,
determination, and love for
Ukraine.
ai"Surfer" got his call sign
because of his passion. When
he was only six years old, he
traveled to Indonesia with his
mother. There, among the
ocean waves, Danylo got
hooked. At the age of 12, he
began to participate in
competitions. And, whenever
he could, he went
snowboarding, skateboarding,
wakeboarding... too.
ai "When the full‑scale
invasion began, my mother
offered to let me visit in Bali,
but I realized that this was not
an option for me."
aiAt first, Danylo tried to
attend military university on
the advice of his father who
was a military officer himself.
"Go to the University of the
Security Service of Ukraine if
you are so eager," his dad
said. But the hand of fate
changed his course. The
young man, then a student in
Lithuania, learned his uncle
had disappeared near
Bakhmut. This was a turning
point.
aiDanylo's uncle had been out
of contact for about two weeks
and thought dead. Then, for
the first time in his life, he sat
down and pleaded: "God,
please at least do something
to keep my uncle alive and
get in touch. I will do anything:
I will go back to Ukraine and
start defending the country
side by side with him."
aiLater, his uncle did contact
him, and this cemented his
decision. When Danylo finally
returned to Ukraine from his
studies abroad, he told his
father he was coming home
for the holidays. His father
met him at the train station in
Kyiv, but when he saw Danylo
with suitcases and boxes, he
immediately realized his son
had other plans.
aiBecause Danylo was under
18, he could not officially join
the army. But that did not stop
him. He wrote emails to
various brigades, offering his
help just to join the fight. "I
didn't care what I had to do,"
he said later, "just give me
food and a uniform and I'll go
fight."
ai "As soon as I turned 18, I
went straight to the
recruitment center. A friend
had told me the documents I
needed, and that day I came
with all of them in hand. After
registering, I called my father
and told him I am going to
fight."
War is dirt, blood and
gunpowder. In war, you
lose your inner good self,
you become hardened and
start thinking that you
don't care about anything
aiDanylo succeeded. He joined
the 3rd Separate Assault
Brigade.
ai"Surfer" knows the price of
war: he has felt the pain of
serious injury and the pain of
loss.
ai "I have lost many comrades
in the war, both younger and
older. For me, this is an
indicator of the strength of our
nation. I was with them in
their last moments and saw
that there was not a drop of
doubt in their eyes. They were
not afraid to face the enemy. I
think we should remember
them because they are true
heroes who gave their lives."
aiDanylo believes that the
younger generation will
change the Ukrainian army.
His peers are motivated,
ready to fight, study, and help.
He admires the examples of
young people who raise
money for the army and
support it in any way they
can. At the same time, he is
convinced that age is just a
number and everyone can find
their place in this war.
aiFor Danylo, the third assault
brigade has become a place
where like‑minded young men
with strong resolve have come
together. "We understand
each other at a glance
because we are all motivated,
we all have similar stories,
and we're all equally eager to
rush into battle and destroy
the enemy," he says.
aiDanylo is confident that the
younger generation will bring
new achievements to the
Ukrainian army. He is
convinced that the future of
military affairs is about
brotherhood, mutual respect,
and a spirit of equality, not the
hierarchical traditions of the
past.
aiThe story of "Surfer" is not
just about a young warrior
who chose the path of
struggle. It is about a whole
generation of Ukrainians who
are not afraid to change
established norms, take risks
for freedom, and inspire
others.
aiThe story you just read once
again highlights how the war
has transformed the lives of
young Ukrainians. Instead of
carefree youth, they choose to
fight for the future of their
country.
aiAfter watching Danylo’s
interview, I became convinced
that the stories of these young
men and women must be
shared with the world. Despite
the immense challenges that
leave lasting marks on their
health and emotional
resilience, they remain
passionate and steadfast.
Their courage gives us hope
for a future where freedom
and peace become the most
treasured achievements of our
nation.
ai"Surfer" symbolizes the
determination and bravery of
a new generation—one ready
not just to dream but to act.
This story inspires pride in
those who are already shaping
Ukraine’s future today.
Photo: hardin
Photo: hardin
Video: 3rd separate assault brigade. The hard everyday life in Donbass and the attack in Semenivka. Behind the camera is a young fighter with the pseudonym "Surfer", who after his first injury walked 4 kilometers alone.
Shrapnel that caused the wound
Photo: hardin
Photo: hardin
Photo: hardin
Video: 3rd separate assault brigade. The hard everyday life in Donbass and the attack in Semenivka. Behind the camera is a young fighter with the pseudonym "Surfer", who after his first injury walked 4 kilometers alone.
Shrapnel that caused the wound
Interview
www.youtube.com View more
An 18-year-old's chronicle of the war
youtu.be View more
Instagram of “Surfer”
www.instagram.com View more
Author's Instagram
www.instagram.com View more
Power of a Generation
