By: Balakun
Balakun student, officer, musician, poet, and engineer currently serving in the armed forces of Ukraine. You can find him onFacebookandYouTube. Featured stories:
- I will returnonYouTube
- Silence onYouTube
KALИNOVSKY joined Balakun in January 2024 to practise English. I had taught military personnel before, but not officers. Definitely no Colonels. I was uneasy, but the waitlist was long and we didnt want to let him down. He arrived at his first lesson (this time a year ago) well prepared, with a NATO training document and a burning desire to understand Sadly, I didnt really understand the contents of this document either. Even though it was in English. I promised myself I would find him a more appropriate mentor with military experience and until then I would do my best.
I decided to balance learning with casual conversation. As a conscientious student, he seemed to feel a little bit like it was slacking off, but agreed to go along with it. Youre the boss! Colonel said.
A month in, we were comfortably chatting about everything music, science, hiking, projects, medicine, dogs. It wasnt the formal school experience he expected, but it seemed to be working. Two months in he stopped calling me teacher.
Sometimes hed use a phrase naturally, recognise it from a song, and suddenly start singing instead of speaking even if the song was wildly inappropriate for what we were talking about. One of the best moments was introducing him at a meeting before he outlined his project to foreigner volunteer engineers and scientists. In English. In uniform, for Ukraine.
Nowadays, he is less interested in grammar and vocabulary. He is learning by doing: interacting with engineers and scientists from all over the world while working on his projects. Both scientific and creative. Owen, an Australian volunteer at Balakun, helped him translate his poems for his YouTube channel. He kindly shared some of his creative work for ourpublication. I asked him some questions:
How long have you been a soldier, and how long have you been a creator?
I joined the military in 2000 when I was 14 years old. I enrolled at amilitary lyceumin Lviv after the ninth grade in Crimea. The first time I truly felt the ability to write was in the 8th grade, when my Ukrainian language teacher gave us an assignment to write a poem. My first poem, written in Crimea, was called Укра?но-нене (Ukrainian-mama).
I continued writing at the lyceum probably because of the harsh conditions and my feelings of isolation. For some reason, the group didnt accept me maybe because I saw things differently or because I was so studious, I dont know. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing, which I am proud of. Thats probably why I began expressing my thoughts through poetry. Whenever I had the chance, I would take walks in the forest and write.
I also bought my first guitar at the lyceum and started writing songs despite having no formal musical education, I could feel the music in my heart and hear the notes in my mind. I dreamt of forming my own rock band and performing on Independence Square on Independence Day. In 2014, I fulfilled this dream with my band,SOCIUM_UA. Since then, Ive always tried to keep up with my creative side whenever I have some free time. And Ive been serving continuously since 2000
Do you identify more as a soldier or a creator, or do you feel its important to maintain a balance between both?
Ive thought a lot about this question whats more important and what came first. But Ive come to the conclusion that, for me, theyre probably interconnected. Serving the Ukrainian people has always come first, and creativity is like compensation for the tough events Ive faced in service. One wouldnt exist without the other. Ive always wanted to balance service and creativity. But I probably need a 25th hour in the day.
Tell me about your current creative project. How does this outlet serve you and what do you want to achieve?
I dont know what I want from this, its not even a project, because a project has a goal, deadlines, objectives. Im just doing it because I can. Its how I process the feelings I had when I was fighting. I have experience directing and writing scripts, so I can shoot a video myself. It takes up my time and money, and it would be logical to stop it, but I cant. Its almost a burden. The only thing that makes sense is to show people who are currently in combat positions, namely fighters, soldiers, to see and feel that we think about them and write about them, that behind the line at least someone hurts and cares about them. So that mothers, wives, fathers, children, sisters who have already lost their defenders feel that someone knows about their pain and longing.
Tell me your thoughts about your intended audience.
I wanted my poems and songs to be a comfort for those people who care about the fate of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, a comfort for mothers and wives who gave the most precious thing to the country and state their children, but first of all, I write what I experience myself, because I am a professional military man, I am a Ukrainian combat officer, and I process those experiences in my work. I think that in the trenches I would like to hear about myself, about the war, about the truth, to hear that they remember me. Therefore, first of all, this is for the military. Although, I am not looking for fame, I am simply doing what I can.
Of course, I want the entire democratic world to hear this, and I am glad that with the help of friends at Balakun, we can translate my works into English with subtitles.
You have a scientific/engineering background as well, what else occupies your time?
I have been trying to learn, study, and master new skills all my life. I have a bachelors and 3 masters degrees in computer technology, programming engineering, international economics and military management. In 2024 I started a masters degree in international law.
I do not have any academic degrees in science, but I have done a lot of work in this field and published 4 articles in telecommunications, WiFi, military management, education and national-patriotic consciousness and spoken at international conferences in these areas.
But today, in addition to creativity, I devote all my free time to creating new technology for the defense of Ukraine, with my team we are working on new drone technology.
The armed forces of Ukraine have unique access to military technology from all over the world and Ukraine is also developing its own technology. What should be prioritized, and what is needed from partners and allies to support Ukraines military industrial complex.
In reality, this is not the case. Ukraine is not given access to the latest technologies. Often, we are being given decommissioned equipment, ammunition, outdated systems. Partners seem to see Ukraine as a way to decommission old equipment, ammunition, and missiles, so as not to waste money. There are issues with our own production too we have many factories, but we need skilled managers to set up state production. Now, everything relies on private initiatives from entrepreneurs and volunteers.
I believe that we should focus on robotic automation, such as drones, ground robots, guidance and response systems. We should replace people on the battlefield with robots. We need to set up our own production of electronics, alternative navigation systems for unmanned aerial vehicles, and increase the production of long-range artillery and surface-to-surface missile systems. I also see an urgent need to launch Ukrainian reconnaissance satellites.
I would argue that not many armies have such experience with both Soviet and NATO systems. To me Ukraine would strengthen any new military alliance.
What is unique is not the fact that a lot of military weapons and equipment from different countries of the world are concentrated on the territory of Ukraine it shows the intelligence of our military who, without knowledge of foreign languages, were able to master the instructions for use, study the operation of the equipment and apply it in battle, as well as its repair. Some of the weapons and equipment transferred have been removed from storage warehouses and dont always come to us properly prepared and serviced. So yes, I believe the Ukrainian military has something to show the militaries of the EU and NATO countries, but is it necessary? Our task is to survive, when a horde with metal and technology is coming at you, and you have arrows and a spear.
Aside from learning English, what can individuals from other countries do to support Ukrainian soldiers? What professions and specialties are needed?
We need drone operators and engineers. We need shooters, and we need professional managers because some in our leadership still have the mentality and methods of the USSR. I already see how foreigners who come to Ukraine, either as volunteers or to fight, learn Ukrainian themselves because without it, they do not have sufficient information on the battlefield or in management processes.
Now I want to ask you about Balakun. Why did you sign up, and why is it important to you?
Fate brought me to Balakun. Speaking of pragmatism, I have always wanted to hold a position related to international communications in the military field. I also knew that I could improve my English most effectively by communicating with native English speakers. I dont remember how I got to Balakun, but I think its the coolest way to learn English compared with other methods Ive ever encountered or heard about.
Thank you for your insights, and thank you for your service to Ukraine and all of us Бажаю здоровя!!!
認識說故事者系列：KALИNOVSKY
作者：Balakun
KALИNOVSKY是一名Balakun的學生、音樂家、詩人和工程師，也是烏克蘭武裝部隊現役軍官。
精選故事：
我將重返YouTube
YouTube上的沉默
KALИNOVSKY於2024年1月加入Balakun學習英語。我以前教過軍事人員，但沒有教過軍官，更不用說上校了。我感到不安，但候補名單很長，我們不想讓他失望。他第一次上課（已經是一年前）時準備充分，帶著一份北約培訓文件和迫切的理解慾望可惜的是，即使它是英文的我也沒有真正理解這份文件的內容。我向自己保證，我會為他找到一位更有經驗的導師一位有軍事經驗的導師在那之前，我會盡力而為。
我決定將學習與輕鬆的交談結合起來。作為一名認真的學生，他似乎覺得自己有點「鬆懈」，但他同意這種安排。「你是老闆！」上校說。
一個月後，我們愉快地聊著一切音樂、科學、徒步旅行、專案、醫學、狗。這不是他所期望的正式的「學校」體驗，但似乎奏效了。兩個月後，他不再叫我老師。
有時他會自然地使用一個出自歌曲中的短語，然後突然開始唱歌而不是說話即使這首歌與我們談論的內容完全不符。最值得記住的時刻之一是在一次會議上介紹他，然後他向外國志願者工程師和科學家概述了他的專案，用英語--用英語、穿著制服、為烏克蘭。
如今，他對語法和詞彙不那麼感興趣了。他正在透過實踐來學習：在從事他的專案的同時，與來自世界各地的工程師和科學家互動。既有科學性，又有創造性。Owen是Balakun的一名澳洲志願者，幫助他為他的YouTube頻道翻譯詩歌。他慷慨地分享了他的一些創意作品，供我們發表。我問了他一些問題：
你當兵多久了，成為創作者多久了？
我於2000年14歲時參軍。在克里米亞讀完九年級後，我進入了利沃夫的一所軍事學校。我第一次真正感受到寫作能力是在八年級，當時我的烏克蘭語老師給我們佈置了寫一首詩的作業。我的第一首詩，寫於克里米亞，名為「Укра?но-нене」（烏克蘭-媽媽）。
我繼續在學校寫作可能是因為惡劣的條件和我的孤獨感。由於某種原因，我被周圍人孤立也許是因為我對事物的看法不同，或者因為我太勤奮了，我不知道。也許這與我的成長經歷有關，我為此感到自豪。這可能就是我開始透過詩歌表達我的想法的原因。每當有機會，我都會在森林裡散步和寫作。
（圖）列昂尼德佩爾費茨基，「克魯蒂站」來自NYIB。克魯蒂英雄學校以年輕學員的名字命名，他們為烏克蘭的獨立和自由與十倍於他們的布爾什維克紅軍在克魯蒂戰役（1918年1月29日）中英勇戰鬥。
我還在軍校買了我的第一把吉他，並開始寫歌儘管我沒有接受過正規的音樂教育，但我能感受到心中的音樂，聽到腦海中的音符。我夢想著組建自己的搖滾樂隊，並在獨立日在獨立廣場上演出。2014年，我和我的樂隊SOCIUM_UA實現了這個夢想。從那以後，每當我有空閒時間時，我總是試圖保持我的創作狀態。而且我從2000年開始一直在服役中。
你認為自己更像一名士兵還是一名創作者，還是覺得在兩者之間保持平衡很重要？
關於這個問題，我想了很多什麼更重要，什麼第一。但我得出的結論是，對我來說，它們可能是相互關聯的。為烏克蘭人民服務始終是第一位的，而創造力就像是對我在服役期間所面臨的艱難事件的補償。沒有另一個，一個就不會存在。我一直想平衡服務和創造力。但我可能需要一天中的第25個小時。
（圖）2015年的SOCIUM
告訴我你目前的創意項目。這個渠道如何為你服務，你希望實現什麼？
我不知道我想從中得到什麼，這甚至不是一個專案項目，因為一個項目有目標、截止日期、目的。我這樣做只是因為我能做到。這是我處理戰鬥時的感受的方式。我有導演和編寫劇本的經驗，所以我可以自己拍攝影片。這花費了我的時間和金錢，似乎合乎邏輯的是停止做這個，但我不能。這幾乎是一種負擔。唯一有意義的是向目前處於戰鬥位置的人們，即戰士、士兵展示，讓他們看到和感受到我們對他們的思考和記錄，在幕後至少有人關心和心疼他們。讓那些已經失去戰士親人的母親、妻子、父親、孩子、姐妹們感受到有人知道她們的痛苦和渴望。
談談你對目標受眾的看法。
我希望我的詩歌和歌曲能夠安慰那些關心烏克蘭命運和烏克蘭人民的人們，安慰那些為國家奉獻了最寶貴的東西她們的孩子的母親和妻子，但首先，我寫下的是我自己的經歷，因為我是一名職業軍人，我是一名烏克蘭作戰軍官，我在我的作品中處理這些經歷。我知道在戰壕裡我自己想聽到關於我自己的，關於戰爭的，關於真相的，聽到他們還記得我。因此，首先，這是為了軍隊。雖然，我不追求名利，我只是在盡我所能。
當然，我希望整個民主世界都能聽到這些，我很高興在Balakun朋友的幫助下，我們可以將我的作品翻譯成帶有字幕的英文（影片）。
你也有科學/工程背景，還有什麼佔據你的時間？
我一生都在努力學習和掌握新的技能。我擁有計算機技術、程式設計工程、國際經濟學和軍事管理專業的1個學士學位和3個碩士學位。2024年，我開始攻讀國際法碩士學位。
我沒有科學方面的學術學位，但我在這方面做了很多工作，並在電信、無線網路、軍事管理、教育和民族-愛國主義意識方面發表了4篇文章，並在這些領域的國際會議上發言。
但如今，除了創造作品之外，我把所有空閒時間都投入到為烏克蘭國防創造新技術上，我的團隊正在研究新的無人機技術。
（圖）2024年聖誕節
烏克蘭武裝部隊擁有來自世界各地的獨特軍事技術，烏克蘭也在開發自己的技術。應該優先考慮什麼，以及合作夥伴和盟友需要支持烏克蘭的軍事工業綜合體些什麼。
實際上，情況並非如此。烏克蘭並沒有獲得最新的技術。通常，我們得到的是退役的設備、彈藥和過時的系統。合作夥伴似乎將烏克蘭視為解決退役舊設備、彈藥和導彈的一種方式，以免浪費金錢。我們自己的生產也存在問題我們有很多工廠，但我們需要熟練的管理者來建立國家生產。現在，一切都依賴於企業家和志願者的私人倡議。
我認為我們應該專注於機器人自動化，例如無人機、地面機器人、引導和響應系統。我們應該用機器人取代戰場上的人員。我們需要建立我們自己的電子產品生產、無人機替代導航系統，並增加遠程火炮和地對地導彈系統的生產。我還認為迫切需要發射烏克蘭的偵察衛星。
我認為沒有多少軍隊同時擁有蘇聯和北約系統的經驗。對我來說，烏克蘭的加入將加強任何新軍事聯盟的力量。
獨特之處不在於來自世界各地的許多軍事武器和裝備都集中在烏克蘭領土上它顯示了我們軍隊的智慧在沒有外語知識的情況下，卻能夠掌握使用說明，學習設備的操作並將其應用於戰鬥及其維修。一些轉給我們的武器和設備已從儲存倉庫中取出，並不總是在適當準備和維護狀態到達我們手中。所以是的，我相信烏克蘭軍隊有一些東西可以展示給歐盟和北約國家的軍隊，但這有必要嗎？我們的任務是生存，當一群擁有金屬和技術的人向你襲來時，你擁有箭和矛。
除了學習英語，其他國家的人可以做些什麼來支持烏克蘭士兵？需要哪些專業和專業技能？
我們需要無人機操作員和工程師。我們需要槍手，我們需要專業的管理者，因為我們的一些領導仍然擁有蘇聯的思維方式和方法。我已經看到來到烏克蘭的外國人，無論是作為志願者還是參戰，他們都會學習烏克蘭語，因為沒有它，他們在戰場或管理過程中沒有足夠的資訊。
現在我想問你關於Balakun的事。你為什麼要加入，為什麼這對你很重要？
命運將我帶到了Balakun。說到實用主義，我一直想在軍事領域擔任與國際交流相關的職位。我也知道，透過與以英語為母語的人交流，我可以最有效地提高我的英語水平。我不記得我是如何來到Balakun的，但我認為這是我所遇到的或聽過的最酷的學習英語的方式。
感謝您的見解，感謝您為烏克蘭和我們所有人提供的服務祝您健康！
