«Made from sh*t but dangerous, ” volunteer says about roads mined where least expected

Andriy Petukhov, known by the call sign «Boxer, ” evacuates people from Kherson region, daily removing those still alive from „red zones, ” including the wounded and the dead who could not be saved in time. The volunteer operates in areas where the risk to life is an everyday reality.

In an exclusive interview with TSN special correspondent Natalia Nahorna, he described how Russian drones hunt civilian and volunteer vehicles, and how road mines turn any journey into a deadly trap.

Andriy Petukhov, originally from Kherson, has long been involved in evacuating people from the most dangerous settlements on the right bank of the Kherson region, coordinating efforts with the military and police. According to him, there is no place from which he hasn’t tried to evacuate someone.

«My name is Andriy. I’m from the city of Kherson. I evacuate people from red zones, taking out both the living and, sadly, those who are already dead. My call sign is „Boxer“ — that’s how everyone knows me. I’ve been doing evacuations for a very long time. I just see people and feel very sorry for them, ” the volunteer said.

According to him, the situation in Kherson region has changed dramatically — whereas artillery used to pose the greatest danger, drones are now the main threat.

«When I first started, I was very afraid of getting hit by shelling, tanks, or mortars. But now it’s a war of drones, and there are so many of them flying. Any vehicle becomes a target. They immediately fly to destroy, to kill, ” Petukhov says.

He added that drones of the «Molniya» type, which the enemy uses extensively, pose a particular danger.

«And now there are still a lot of „Molniya“ drones flying. So many. They’re made out of some kind of sh*t. They just assemble them there. And they’re very dangerous. A „Molniya“ can also blow up a vehicle. It carries a very large explosive charge, ” the volunteer said.

Even armored cars do not provide complete protection.

«I have an armored car. Whether it could withstand a „Molniya“ — I don’t know. So far, it hasn’t happened. And that’s good, ” he added.

Besides air attacks, road mines remain a serious hazard, particularly where they are least expected.

«There is also a lot of road mining now — petal-shaped mines and these tiny anti-tank mines. If you drive over one, a tank would be destroyed. A car would be blown to pieces. If it can stop a tank, it will definitely stop a car on wheels, ” Andriy Petukhov concludes.