From captivity to the front: Tyra saves Ukrainian soldiers again
18 December 2024 08:31
Paramedic and volunteer Yulia Payevska, with the call sign “Taira,” returned to service 2.5 years after her release from Russian captivity. She joined the 13th National Guard Brigade “Charter” where she will serve alongside writer Serhiy Zhadan. Tyra announced this on Facebook, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
“Well, I’m reporting: The Charter caught me and caught me. That is, yes – I mean the 13th Brigade of the National Guard Charter, to whose ranks I am honored to join. Why did I come back? Because someone has to do this work. Because I can help my friends, and my strength and experience will definitely come in handy here,” wrote Tyra.
She noted that she would tell about the position later. The volunteer also noted that she had problems with passing the military medical commission.
“And yes, I had problems with the military medical commission, and in peacetime I am absolutely unfit for service, but we are at war, and those who want to look for opportunities, and those who do not want to look for excuses. I was looking for opportunities,” Tyra added.
Zhadan posted a photo with Tyra, captioning it: “Tyra is with us! Welcome to the family!”
What is known about Tyra
Yulia Payevska (Tyra) is a volunteer and paramedic, People’s Heroine of Ukraine.
She has been practicing aikido for more than 20 years, has 5 dan and heads the Mutokukai Ukraine Federation.
Since 2014, she has participated in the Revolution of Dignity and the war in eastern Ukraine as a paramedic.
Since 2020, Taira has been a member of the Ukrainian Invictus Games team. She has also received a number of awards, including the President of Ukraine’s award “For Humanitarian Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation”).
Tyra was captured by the Russian occupiers in Mariupol on March 16, 2022.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the release of Yulia Payevska from captivity on June 17, 2022.
Paramedic Tyra also won the IWOC international award. The U.S. State Department presented her with the “World’s Bravest Woman” award. She received this award after being taken prisoner by Russia during the evacuation of women and children from Mariupol.
In September 2023, it became known that Yulia Payevska had undergone spinal surgery and received an award at the Invictus Games in Germany.
