Often after treatment and even prosthetics, Ukrainian defenders return to the front to join their comrades – volunteer

The number of wounded from the Kherson sector has increased in Odesa hospitals, and after treatment and rehabilitation, some Ukrainian defenders still return to the war to join their comrades.

This was stated by volunteer Natalia Chyzhykova at a briefing at the Ukraine-Odesa Media Center.

The nature of the wounds has changed: more often fighters with mine-blast wounds are coming in.

“There was such a large flow when we liberated Kherson more than a year ago. Now they are also bringing the wounded, because fierce fighting continues on the left bank. When Bakhmut was in winter, there were many burns. Now our defenders mostly have mine-blast wounds. Evacuation from the left bank of the Dnipro is difficult. Tourniquets, which are imposed for a long time, complicate injuries, subsequent treatment and rehabilitation,” the volunteer noted.

Natalia emphasized that most relatives support their soldiers in hospitals and clinics.

“Usually relatives come to visit their wounded. Now there is a guy with a very serious injury – he cannot see, his arm and leg are significantly damaged. But his wife is constantly with him, although she is in the last months of pregnancy. She wants to give birth to a child in Odesa while he is being treated. The guy still has an operation ahead of him. Such loyalty is impressive,” said Chyzhykova.

However, in some cases, the injury causes a family to be torn apart and volunteers have to support the soldier.

“An anti-tank mine hit me in the face, I covered my fellow soldier, saved his life, and half his head was blown off. His girlfriend left him because he will never see again. We helped him cope and now he is waiting for another surgery. And then the doctors plan to treat him in the UK, where he will undergo plastic surgery. His psychological state is much better now. I don’t know whether it’s thanks to us or not, but there is hope that he will return to normal life,” the volunteer assured.

Ukrainian defenders often return to the front after treatment. They communicate with their comrades and sometimes return.

“They may be on crutches, limping. He may be scheduled for surgery, but he wants to return to the front line – there are many of them as well. Recently, my ward, as soon as he waited for his prosthesis to be fitted, he had a low amputation, immediately went to the front to join his men,” Natalia said.

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