MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — “Leadership Under Fire: Lessons from Ukrainian Veterans” is an event hosted by the Ukrainian Mountaineers Association and the WVU Army ROTC, which gives members within the community the opportunity to hear from Ukrainian veterans and learn first-hand insight about modern drone warfare. The event will be held at the Rhododendron Room at the Mountainlair on Nov. 18th from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Senior Lieutenant Mykola Melnyk, a hero of the 2023 Ukraine counteroffensive, will be in attendance, and will share his opinion and give updates on the current situation at the Russia-Ukraine frontline, while answering any additional questions asked. Melnyk will also be accompanied by his fellow veterans, Oleh Bonchynsky and Dennis Haida, who heroically defended the legendary Donetsk International Airport in 2014, and freed renowned Bucha in 2024, being among the first witnesses of Russia’s atrocities against civilians.

“You must take our experience,” Melnyk said. “Your colonels and your officers in general must understand the war’s future, and you must be ready for the next war.”

During his time served, Melnyk led an assault unit that broke through fortified Russian defenses, advancing ten kilometers during the 2023 counteroffensive. Planning to return to the battlefield in December, he is determined to continue to make a major impact for his country.

While on WAJR’s “Talk of the Town”, Melnyk contributed Ukraine’s success in the war to the American weapons used and the support of their allies.

“Now Russians fight with North Korean infantry, with Iranian drones, with Chinese technology, and Ukraine only has concern,” Melnyk stated. “It’s terrible. You must understand, without American weapons, without support of our allies, we lost.”

While giving updates on the current situation at the Russia-Ukraine frontline, Melnyk is happy to offer warfare advice for anyone in attendance. While on “Talk of the Town”, he offered future advice to those apart of the WVU Army ROTC.

“Think about the future,” Melnyk said. “Think about your country. Think of how you defend your country. Stay in alliance with freedom.”