«Dialogue on Equal Terms»: KBSU Students Meet with Special Military Operations Veteran German Shevchuk

A «Dialogue on Equal Terms» was held at the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh. M. Berbekov with German Shevchuk, a member of the Kabardino-Balkarian Parliament, director of the Center for Civic and Patriotic Education, and veteran of the Special Military Operations, whose biography exemplifies courage, duty, and selfless service to the Motherland.

The meeting was organized by the primary branch of the All-Russian public organization «Young Guard of United Russia» at KBSU.

Coming from a family of officers, German Shevchuk chose the path of defending the Fatherland from a young age. After serving in the army, he signed a contract and was sent to Tajikistan as a sniper. But, as German himself admits, the special military operation proved to be his true test.

The hero with the call sign «Snake» found himself in the thick of things from the very first days of the Special Military Operations. At 25, he already commanded a sniper group. He had seen fierce battles in Luhansk, Lisichansk, and Maryinka. On the Krasnolimansk front, German Alekseevich proved himself heroic: for 40 minutes, he single-handedly covered the retreat of his comrades from hundreds of militants armed with grenade launchers.

«The thought that I might not save my comrades, that their families would be left without their breadwinners, was unbearable,» German shared. «As a commander, I felt an enormous moral responsibility for them. I simply couldn’t act otherwise,» German shared.
He nearly died in that battle. Seriously wounded, he was pulled from the rubble of a building by soldiers from another unit who happened to be nearby.

Then began a long and difficult period of rehabilitation. Despite not having fully recovered, Shevchuk was eager to return to service, but doctors refused to allow him.

Today, the director of the KBSU Patriotic Education Center continues to conduct humanitarian missions to the special operation zone and actively works with young people.

«Interacting with students is a source of energy and inspiration for me,» says Herman Alekseevich. «When I see their interested eyes and hear the questions they ask, I understand that my story and my experience can help them make the right choices in life. I strive to convey to young people that serving the Fatherland is not just a duty, but a calling that requires courage, integrity, and loyalty. Each of us is capable of making a difference, whether in combat, research, art, or everyday life. It’s important to remain compassionate and recognize that our strength lies in unity and responsibility to those who come after us.»
At the end of the meeting, Herman Shevchuk answered numerous questions from the students, who listened to his story with genuine interest.

Here are some of their reviews:

«I was struck by Herman Alekseevich’s resilience and sincerity. He not only shared memories of his daily life in the military but also emphasized the enduring importance of preserving humanity in the most extreme conditions. His reflections on the moral duty of a commander and how he cared for the families of his soldiers, even when faced with life and death, left a lasting impression on me.»
«I used to think that heroes existed only in books or films. But Herman Alekseevich is a living example that true heroes are real people. His story is a tale of how a person makes a choice, shows courage, believes in themselves, and loves their country. He showed that patriotism is manifested not in words, but in deeds.»

These kinds of dialogues, where students can directly engage with people who have endured serious trials and remained true to their ideals, are extremely important. They help to shape the right values ​​in young people and instill a sense of civic duty and patriotism.