The last Hero…

Yesterday Russia celebrated the Day of the troops of the national guard of the Russian Federation. On this day, servicemen of Rosgvardia not only accept congratulations and awards, but also commemorate those who gave their lives fulfilling their military duty.

Dear Mom and Dad! Do not worry, my dear, I'm fine. Everything is fine, as usual. I want to see you so much. I want to give you the biggest hug and kiss you. Dad, I want to hide under your hand, like when I was a kid, fall asleep on your shoulder, hiding from all these hardships, fuss, from these vile troubles. I want to huddle under a warm quilted blanket, laid out with your gentle hand, sweet mama. I want to hide from them! But they don't disappear, damn problems.

This is the last letter of Lieutenant Oleg Babak, written by him on April 7, 1991, on the day of the last battle in the town of Yukhary-Dzhibikli, on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, where Oleg defended civilians and shielded his subordinates from the militants. At that time, the deputy company commander Oleg Babak was 24 years old. Of these, he spent 385 days in hot spots.

On that day, locals asked the servicemen of the internal affairs forces, which were protecting and defending the village of Yukhary-Djibikli under the command of Lieutenant Babak, to help them to take out the body of the fellow villager killed by the militants. Soldiers and their commander left for the scene. At this time, a car stopped nearby, from which civilians came out and began shelling the whole group. As a result, the back of the ambulance was hit. The driver brought the body to the village of Yukhary-Djibikli under fire, while Lieutenant Oleg Babak with a group of servicemen covered the retreat of local residents. In 20 minutes, the militant backup arrived on three cars and an armored personnel carrier with a heavily armed group of up to 70-80 people. Our servicemen came under intense gunfire by the arrived group of militants from machine guns, turrets, rifles and other weapons. Several people were seriously injured - it became very difficult for our group to retreat. Oleg made a decision to take the wounded from the battlefield under the cover of the senior sergeants Loginov and Bochkov, and be the last to retreat, covering the group.

The militants began to surround them. But our ambulance returned with assistance. Having helped the wounded and shooting back from the militants, the whole group under the command of Babak began to retreat to the outpost. During the battle, the militants suggested the servicemen to cease fire and retreat, leaving the local residents for execution. The lieutenant refused ... He was the last to retreat, trying to divert the attention of the bandits from his soldiers and local residents. I went out on the road and shouted to the militants: "Do not shoot! I'm the only one left here!" The group retreated without losses.

He was found dead after being shot in the back. Under the cover of an armored personnel carrier, the soldiers took the body of their commander to the outpost. The machine and Oleg's bulletproof vest were gone, but his last letter remained with him. When did he write it?

I want to see you so much. I want to give you the biggest hug and kiss you. 

Dad, I want to hide under your hand, like when I was a kid, fall asleep on your shoulder...

Oleg Babak. The last Hero of the Soviet Union in the internal affairs forces.

Larisa Ledenyova. Photos and information for writing the article were provided by the researchers of the Central Museum of the Russian National Guard Forces, Anna Semykina and Igor Sandalov.