Soldier Leonid Zolotoy, call sign SOMALI

My name is Zolotoy Leonid Oleksandrovych, but my comrades know me by the call sign SOMALI. I lived in Poland for six years, but when Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, I couldn't stay on the sidelines. In 2006, I already had military service experience in the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade, so the decision to return to the front was obvious to me. I left everything I had abroad and returned home to join the airborne forces.

In May 2022, I received my first injury. These were burns, concussions, and fractures—mostly on the right side of my body. The severe injuries led to complications, and I started suffering from epilepsy.

But despite everything, I held on and continued to fulfill my military duty. Later, I was transferred to a tank unit in the village of Zolochiv, and then to Unit 4808 in the Zaporizhzhia direction. There, in September 2023, I was injured again, this time on my left arm.

Ultimately, my health significantly deteriorated, and I was discharged from service.

After that, I returned to civilian life, but the struggle for me did not end. I am still undergoing treatment, as the injuries have caused issues with my hip joint. Unfortunately, therapeutic measures are not helping, and according to the doctors, the only solution is total hip replacement. The surgery will be done for free, but I need to purchase a high-quality implant (manufactured by Medacta, Switzerland) that will last a long time and allow me to lead an active lifestyle.

I am reaching out to everyone who cares: your support is very important to me. May God grant health to everyone who responds to this call.
 

Thank you to everyone who joined the fundraising for a hip implant for the defender with the call sign SAMOLI. The implant was installed, the operation was successfully performed, and now the hero is undergoing rehabilitation.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone who participated in this important fundraising.

We are especially grateful to the Ukrainian community in Norway NORWAY-FOLK UA, which made a significant financial contribution in the amount of 885.22 EUR.

Your support saves lives and gives our defenders the opportunity to return to a fulfilling life.
 

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 95,000