From Restaurant Worker to Ukrainian Soldier: Alexey Shubin’s Patriotic Journey

Oleksiy Shubin from Sevastopol – a former restaurant industry worker who moved to Kyiv after the annexation of Crimea. There he serves in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and dreams of returning home after the victory. His story blends the hard years of occupation with a new life and a conscious patriotism.

“If you don’t go now, tomorrow you’ll end up somewhere you don’t want to be.”

The Path from Restaurants to the Army and the Role in the 9th Army Corps

In Kyiv, he has moved from working in a network of public catering establishments to rear duties in the 9th Army Corps, where he is responsible for repairs and evacuation of equipment. Ahead are new opportunities and a chance to return home when peace comes.

Patriotism, in his words, is a combination of love for the country and respect for the law, as well as a desire to support the development of the state even in the most difficult times.

Shubin recalls 2014, when he supported the Euromaidan events, and felt anxiety in Sevastopol due to symbolism and distrust of the authorities. Thus his stance was formed: to stay in Ukraine and fight for its future.

In conversations with his military colleagues, he speaks about staffing challenges in the army: the recruitment of cooks and other skilled personnel – a task that requires time and an understanding of how each specialty can be useful on the front.

In the end, Shubin cites two scenarios after victory: returning to Sevastopol or continuing to serve in Ukraine. In any case, his goal is to serve the state and support its development, including through participation in the reconstruction of his hometown.