These are purported to be the last words of Russian Army Lieutenant Alexander Prokhorenko, a forward observer deployed against Syrian rebels who had identified and surrounded his position as he was calling fire in on them.
He left behind an expectant wife and the respect of the entire professional military world. This is the text of what is purported to be his final communication with his firebase.
Don't misunderstand me: I in no way am a supporter of either side in Syria. But some times, courage transcends politics. This is one of those times... and I stand in awe of this young man who sacrificed his life for HIS country... just like we do for ours.
Respect.
He left behind an expectant wife and the respect of the entire professional military world. This is the text of what is purported to be his final communication with his firebase.
Don't misunderstand me: I in no way am a supporter of either side in Syria. But some times, courage transcends politics. This is one of those times... and I stand in awe of this young man who sacrificed his life for HIS country... just like we do for ours.
Prokhorenko : command I am compromised, I repeat I am compromised.What amazing courage and presence of mind.
Command: Please say again and confirm.
Prokhorenko : They have spotted me, there are shooting everywhere, I am pinned, requesting immediate extraction.
Command: Extraction request acknowledged.
Prokhorenko : Please hurry I am low on ammo, they seem to [be] everywhere, I can’t hold them for too long please hurry.
Command: Confirmed, hold them off, continue returning fire, retreat to a safe position, air support is monitoring, state your coordinates
Prokhorenko : [gives coordinates which are blurred in the transcript]
Command: [command repeats coordinates which are blurred.] Confirm
Prokhorenko : Confirmed, please hurry I am low on ammo, they are surrounding me, bastards!
Command: ETA on evacuation 12 minutes, return to the green line, I repeat return to the green line.
Prokhorenko : They are close, I am surrounded, this may be the end, tell my family I love them dearly.
Command: Return to the green line, continue returning fire, help is on the way, followed by air support.
Prokhorenko : Negative, I am surrounded, they are so many of these bastards!
Command: Extract ETA 10 minutes, return to the green line.
Prokhorenko : I can’t they have surrounded me and are closing in, please hurry.
Command: Return to the green line, I repeat return to the green line.
Prokhorenko : They are outside, conduct the airstrike now please hurry, this is the end, tell my family I love them and I died fighting for my motherland.
Command: Negative, return to the green line.
Prokhorenko : Unable command, I am surrounded, they are outside, I don’t want them to take me and parade me, conduct the airstrike, they will make a mockery of me and this uniform. I want to die with dignity and take all these bastards with me. Please my last wish, conduct the airstrike, they will kill me either way.
Command: Please confirm your request.
Prokhorenko : They [are] outside, this is the end commander, thank you, tell my family and my country I love them. Tell them I was brave and I fought until I could no longer. Please take care of my family, avenge my death, good bye commander, tell my family I love them!
Command: [No response, orders the airstrike]
Respect.
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