Vlad, 26, was born and raised in Orel, Russia, a small city not far from Moscow. He grew up deeply involved in the local Jewish community, with a deep connection to the history, culture and traditions of the Jewish people. It was no surprise then that after graduating from university with a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in international relations, he decided to make Aliyah to Israel.
It was in Israel while he was participating in a Jewish Agency program for young adult olim (immigrants) at Ulpan Beit Brodetsky last year that he first heard of Wings and met with a representative.
Wings provides young, new immigrants who make Aliyah on their own and want to enlist in the IDF as “lone soldiers” a comprehensive support network. A joint program established in 2005 by The Jewish Agency together with the Merage Foundation and Friends of Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), Wings accompanies over 3,500 young immigrants each year from over 50 countries throughout their army service, offering assistance before they enlist, during their time in the IDF and after their discharge as well. Participants receive career guidance, emotional support, financial coaching and more, ensuring they get everything they need to adjust to life in Israel, succeed in the IDF, and become independent and contributing citizens.
Vlad was already in the recruitment process with the IDF but met with a Wings employee who explained to him in detail how the process really worked in detail.
“Since last year, Wings has been guiding me through all the stages of my draft process. I’d been trying to enlist in the IDF for a while now but because of my age, it’s been a huge challenge to persuade the army that I’m eligible to serve. I was even rejected by the army outright several times, but I didn’t give up and continued standing my ground,” shared Vlad. “Eventually, after such great support from Wings, I got my date of enlistment and I was so excited about that.”
Vlad hasn’t received his assignment in the army yet but hopes to get a role in the paratrooper brigade after undergoing training. In the meantime, and throughout his IDF service, he will continue to receive guidance and assistance from Wings.
“Wings has allowed me not only to learn about the army but also to meet different people, to participate in interesting events, and so on. Now I don’t have any doubts that in this way I’ll absorb the moral values of Israel as effectively as possible,” said Vlad. “Now especially, the October 7 attacks and ongoing war only strengthened my desire to enlist in the IDF, so I’m glad I decided to keep fighting to be able to serve.”
