Soldier Yurii, call sign SHATUN
My name is Yurii, the nick is SHATUN.
Where did my story start? Everything started in Chernigivshchyna when the war came to our land on February 24, 2022. From that moment on I felt myself responsible for what is happening to my country and through the sense of responsibility came an understanding that military service is not only my duty but also the fate of my conscious choice.
Where do I servce and what my rank and position are? Currently I am the company 2IC in the 54 mobile brigade. My military service started long ago and then there was a pause in it but I every year in the army is a challenge that helps me grow and brings new trials to my personality.
Why did I choose to go to the military service? The choice of joining the army was the act of loyalty, the confirmation of my readiness to defend my country. I believe in such values as freedom and independence of our Ukraine and I feel that my army service is my personal contribution into the happy future of our successors.
What did I do on the front line? We were defending the sector of the front from Soledar to Siversk and many others, and every day was incredibly intense and hard but also so very important for our combat mission. I saw my comrades turning into the real family and I watched how fighting for every single step of our land tested people beyond measure.
The 4th of October is the day that has changed my entire history. While participating in the national defensive operation in Donetrsk region I got multiple shrapnel injuries. I was unconscious and yet felt some kind of a chill that people usually feel when you are to make an important decisions in just seconds. My comrades saved my life and helped me survive as they provided care under fire and evacuated me later on.
What did I feel at that moment? The injury created a mixture of emotions as I was scared to die, hated people who came to invade our land and felt the importance of every single moment I have left. But even experiencing all these emotions I felt I was ready to continue fighting.
I was fortunate that during this hardest time when I got injured my comrades were well trained and prepared for the situations like this and knew how to treat casualties. Their life saving skills and actions were crucial for my survival and further life. Being wounded I was evacuated to the medical center for further treatment and then after that the long recovery process started.
My left thigh presented the biggest problem as the open comminuted gunshot fracture required several surgeries and over four months of treatment.
Now to recover and get back on my feet I need another surgery. The surgery itself is free but I need a set of metal insets for intramedullary osteosynthesis of the thigh bone which would help me to mend bones and return to normal life.
What are my plans for the future? Even after having been injured I feel unwavering devotion to my country. My plans for the future are to continue serving in the army should the need be and make my contribution into the defense of my Motherland. My dream is to see peace in my Ukraine and know that the part of it is something I have done.
COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 15,500
