Draft:Damian Duda

Damian Sylwester Duda, alias. Lektor (b. 1989 ) – Polish academic teacher, combat medic, and former head of the Information Policy Department at the Government Centre for Security.

Military and Medical Engagement
He is the vice-president of the Legia Akademicka association.

Since 2014, he has been voluntarily involved in MEDEVAC operations and tactical rescue training on the Ukrainian side during the Russo-Ukrainian War. The beginning of these activities was his expedition to Mariupol in May 2014 to aid the local Polish community (Polonia)

In a subsequent expedition in 2015, together with a group of Polish rescuers, he underwent medical rescue training organized in Kryvyi Rih by the Kryvbas Battalion and Right Sector. He first applied his acquired experience in Pisky, the outskirts of Donetsk airport, where he collaborated with the „Hospitaliers” Medical Battalion. In the following years, he trained personnel in rescue operations from battalions such as Azov or Aidar.

He also cooperated in this regard with Kurdish fighters in Syrian Rojava and Iraq during their fight against ISIS. .

In 2017 he joined the Polish Territorial Defense Forces, serving in the 21st Light Infantry Battalion of the 2nd Lublin Territorial Defense Brigade.

As a volunteer, he participated in a rescue operation during a storm on Mount Giewont in 2019, for which he was awarded the Bronze Cross of Merit by President Andrzej Duda.

Following the outbreak of full-scale war on February 24, 2022, Duda delivered humanitarian aid to the besieged Kyiv, later operating in the vicinity of Mykolaiv, and since December 2022 – in besieged Soledar and Bachmut.

Currently, he operates within the "In the meantime" ("W międzyczasie") foundation, consisting of a group of Polish medics engaged in assisting the Ukrainian side.

Professional Life
He holds a degree in history, having completed his studies at the Catholic University of Lublin /

Until 2023, he was the head of the Information Policy Department at the Government Centre for Security and its spokesperson.

He taught military classes at the 14th High School in Lublin. Currently, he works at the Faculty of Political Science and Journalism at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) in Lublin.

Awards and distinctions

 * Bronze Cross of Merit (December 14, 2020)
 * Bronze Medal "For Merit to National Defense"
 * Airborne Troops Parachutist Badge
 * Medal Milito pro Christo (April 16, 2014)
 * "For Merit"” III Class Order (2023)
 * National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine IIІ Degree Badge (October 31, 2022)
 * Honorary Badge of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine - "For Supporting the Army" (No. 295; February 3, 2024)
 * Stand With Ukraine Foundation Award (August 24, 2023)
 * Jan Rodowicz "Anoda" Award (October 29, 2023)