“Please, help us repair KrAZ vehicle after shooting attack” – asked driver-sapper of Border Command Post Alexander Kaplin who has just come from combat zone near Debaltsevo. Our townsman, resident of Kremenchug, which was called up 4 months ago, came home on 10-days leave. On this occasion, his unit commander assigned him to go to the manufacturing company to know if it can help refurbish the vehicle.

It emerged in conversation with the soldier that the KrAZ-Cougar armored vehicle that saved personnel from shooting attack has failed and remained unrepaired for three weeks.

“In this situation I didn’t think about the vehicle, I had to save soldiers. It is impossible to choose road when driving under aimed fire. What is more, asphalt road to Debaltsevo is worse than earth road, it is broken by vehicles, shells craters and bumps everywhere.  This is how the vehicle was damaged. We have only three out of four Cougars in running condition, they are used more intensively and absence of one vehicle is very tangible. Missions we complete are different, mainly, we carry soldiers to zero check-point, conduct reconnaissance and raids to detect and catch smugglers, which deliver alcohol, cigarettes and meat to separatists.  Directions and roads are different, more correctly, continuous off road driving, the vehicles perform well on these terrains, we are lost without them.

We inherited these Cougars from soldiers of Mogilyov Command Post we came to relieve. Vehicles are in good running condition and tackle their job. We use them 24 hours a day and keep at general quarters. One out of four KrAZ-Cougar vehicles is provided with GS17, it never leaves zero check-point. Others are used to carry soldiers and other cargoes. Will you help repair it, townsmen?”

Such requests from the frontline are not uncommon. Of course, Kremenchug Automobile Plant could not leave behind this request from the townsman and promised to help refurbish this vehicle. Previously, over two dozens of KrAZ vehicles including KrAZ-Spartan and KrAZ-Cougar armored vehicles were refurbished and transferred to defence enforcement agencies often at the expense of “AutoKrAZ”.

Though failures caused by mine explosion, shooting attacks and other circumstances beyond control are not covered by warranty, moreover, these works take much time and costs, Kremenchug Automobile Plant does not reject requests of military.

KrAZ workers realize that unity is a force, which can protect integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. We serve to the people of Ukraine!