"When I was injured, it felt like a tank hit me": a PE teacher from Siberia went to Donbass and became one of the top snipers.

A physical education teacher from Ust-Ilimsk, Mikhail Antipin, became a defender of the Fatherland long before the special military operation began. In 2020, he followed his heart and volunteered to go to Donbass to protect the local population. Now he has returned to his hometown and is helping current soldiers of the special military operation and their families. More details can be found in the article by KP-Irkutsk.

“I saw how local residents were suffering”

Mikhail grew up in a family of educators: his father was a school principal, and his mother was a deputy principal. Continuing the family tradition, Mikhail also chose a teaching career and enrolled in the Irkutsk Pedagogical Institute. However, he didn’t stop there; he simultaneously obtained a second higher education in law, studying criminal law through distance learning at ISU.

- After graduating, I got a job in the police, where I worked for about four years. I was a district officer, an operative, and the head of the district officers' department in the village of Chuna. Then I returned to school. I taught physical education and worked as a boxing coach, - says 38-year-old Mikhail Antipin.

The decision to go to Donbass came in 2020.

For several years, Mikhail was engaged in precision shooting at long distances and was well-versed in firearms. Photo: from the personal archive of the publication's hero

- I saw a story on television about the conditions in which the local population had to live. How children, women, and the elderly were suffering. I realized that I could not remain indifferent. I decided to enlist in a special forces battalion. I told my family that I was going to St. Petersburg to do business with a friend. I didn’t want them to worry about me. But later, of course, they found out the truth. They were surprised and shocked. But they accepted my choice.

Although the Siberian had not previously served in the army, he did have some experience. For several years, Mikhail was engaged in precision shooting at long distances and was well-versed in firearms. Additionally, due to his work in law enforcement, he possessed good physical fitness.

“There are no atheists there”

The fighter chose the call sign “Rama” and went to Donbass as a sniper. Mikhail participated in combat operations in the areas of Staromikhailovka, Alexandrovka, and the village of Krasnaya Zvezda, in the direction of Donetsk airport. He fought in the same places where his grandfather did during the Great Patriotic War.

- The sniper always works first. Artillery follows in the attack. I had two types of weapons with me – a Kalashnikov assault rifle and a sniper rifle. I was responsible for keeping my guys safe from the enemy, as well as ensuring that our equipment could reach its target.

During his service, Mikhail sustained several shrapnel wounds and concussions. But even with injuries, he was eager to return to duty.

During his service, Mikhail sustained several shrapnel wounds and concussions. But even with injuries, he was eager to return to duty. Photo: from the personal archive of the publication's hero

- Once, I was hit by a sniper. The impact was so strong that it broke my ribs. It felt like a tank had crashed into me. I didn’t lose consciousness. I remember being evacuated from the battlefield and sent to the hospital. I didn’t need surgery. Over time, I started to recover. I was lucky that the bullet hit at the right angle. If it had gone slightly to the right or left, even surgery wouldn’t have helped. The prayers of my family, friends, comrades, and my own prayers helped. My parents lit candles for my health in church. I prayed too. I had a little icon with me that the priest gave us in the unit. Everyone prays there. There are no atheists there.

Mikhail also shares that in Donbass, he had his own talisman – a bracelet given to him by believers from a monastery. The fighter helped them when he was on leave.

Helping the families of SVO fighters

In September 2021, Mikhail returned to his hometown of Ust-Ilimsk. He continued teaching physical education while also taking on the role of deputy director for security at the school.

- I got married and became a father. My daughter will turn three in May. Unfortunately, family life didn’t work out, and we recently got divorced. But we are raising the child together.

Public activity also came into Mikhail's life. He became the head of the Association of SVO participants, local wars, and military conflicts.

Mikhail has a three-year-old daughter. Photo: from the personal archive of the publication's hero

- We help the families of guys who are currently in the special operation zone, addressing household issues: who needs their yard cleared of snow, who needs firewood chopped, who needs water carried. We engage in patriotic education for schoolchildren, send humanitarian aid, purchase necessary items, drones, thermal imagers, etc. We participate in sports competitions with war veterans.

Mikhail stays in touch with former comrades who now live in Donbass. Unfortunately, few of them are still alive.

In his free time, the Siberian enjoys hunting and fishing. Additionally, he actively participates in restoring abandoned monuments to soldiers who fell during the Great Patriotic War.

- I want to wish all the fighters currently on the front lines to return home safe and sound. I plan to open a tactical training center where I will teach the basics of sniper work, assault, combat tactics, first aid skills, and navigation skills. My goal is to prepare our youth to defend the Motherland!