23 July 2025

Urgent fundraising for wounded soldiers

On the night of January 20, 2023, during a rotation on the eastern outskirts of Bakhmut, two fighters were severely wounded. Their equipment failed, and an enemy drone detected the group. After that, a tank shelling began.

One of the fighters suffered severe injuries to his left leg and arm. During the evacuation, his condition was so critical that he had to be resuscitated several times. For almost two years now, he has been undergoing treatment in the USA, where he has had more than a few dozen surgeries. The young man was transported to the States because only a clinic there agreed to try to help and perform the most complex operations. His condition was very serious, and the medical procedures performed were the pinnacle of professionalism. He is missing part of his radius bone, and his nerves and muscles are damaged. To keep his foot in the correct position, dozens of screws were inserted into it because a nerve does not control the leg. To restore at least some mobility to his arm, the doctors had to take an extreme step — to sacrifice his little finger. The foundation that organized his treatment in the US can no longer provide support.

Photo: one of the fighters during rehabilitation in America. Photo from the fighter's personal archive.

The second fighter, whose name is not disclosed, was seriously wounded in March 2023 by a grenade explosion. The explosion damaged his internal organs, and most of his intestine was removed. His abdominal cavity now remains open, and he is fed through special dispensers and IV drips. He will need to undergo another operation.

Photo: X-rays of the hand of one of the Kalinoŭski Regiment fighters. Photo from the fighter's personal archive.

Since the fighters have been in the States for a long time, their military unit is unable to pay their salaries due to current legislation. They are now facing an acute problem: they need money to continue their complex and long-term treatment, as well as to support their families.

To understand the scale of the expenses, here are the monthly needs of one of the fighters with the arm and leg injury:

• Transport: $143 (car insurance) + $45 (gasoline).
• Medical: $100 (medical insurance) + $60 (co-pay for each doctor's visit).
• Rehabilitation: $60 per session, three times a week (not covered by insurance).
• Communication: $50 (phone).
• Household needs: $400 (food and hygiene products).
• Housing: $800 (room rental).

Photo: A fighter of the Kalinoŭski Regiment during surgery in America. A part of the fibula was taken from his healthy leg to be transplanted into his injured arm. Photo from the fighter's personal archive.

He will soon need another operation on his arm, and it is unknown what the hospital will bill. The last co-pay for a similar intervention was $1800. The issue of paying for this upcoming operation is particularly acute: without our help, it will be at risk. It should be noted that the second fighter mentioned has similar medical expenses.

The fundraising amount for the two fighters is 500,000 hryvnias. The money raised will provide the men with treatment and rehabilitation until the end of winter — early spring 2026.

Any help is a chance for our brothers-in-arms to go through the difficult path of treatment and rehabilitation and return to a full life. They gave their health protecting us, and now they are in dire need of support.

Below are the Form 100s for both fighters, indicating their initial diagnoses after being wounded