Soldier Taras, call sign TUMAN (FOG)

My name is Taras, call sign TUMAN (FOG). When the full-scale invasion began, I didn’t hesitate for a minute — I went to the military enlistment office and signed up for service. Back then, we had no other choice, and defending our homeland was sacred. I was sent to Starychi, where I trained as a mortar operator, and then to military unit A0222 in Kyiv.

We fought fierce battles in Donetsk Oblast, near the town of Krasnohorivka. I remember the day I was wounded like it was yesterday. Our positions were shelled with mortars, and then drones joined in. One of the explosions sent a piece of shrapnel into my back. It split: one part penetrated my kidney, the other got lodged in my spinal muscle. The impact was so strong it threw me two meters back. There was a lot of blood, and the hole in my back was huge — I tried to cover it with four fingers, attempting to stop the bleeding. While I was applying a tamponade to myself, my comrades helped with the bandage. At that moment, I thought it was the end.

After the injury and rehabilitation, I returned to the front, this time fighting in the infantry in the Donetsk sector near Klishchiivka. I felt the effects of the wound every day. The pain was a constant companion — pills no longer helped, only injections. On top of that, during battles, I suffered several more concussions.

After three months in the infantry, I was transferred back to the mortar team. However, after rotation, I was sent for treatment. The doctors said that removing the shrapnel from my spine was too risky and could lead to paralysis of my lower limbs. If they were to remove the second piece, they would also have to remove my kidney. One of my vertebrae, which was displaced during the injury, keeps moving more with each passing month. Initially, it was displaced by 12 mm, and now it's 17 mm. Because of this, my legs go numb, and my lower back constantly aches.

Life has changed. Today, I dream of returning to a normal life, watching my children grow up. I already have three kids, but my biggest dream is a daughter named Viktoriia, so that the older ones would have a little sister. I would love to work in agriculture — it has always been close to my heart. But for now, my biggest dream is to return to my comrades in the East, back to the mortar unit.

For that, I need surgery to install the CAPSTONE spinal system. Without it, I won’t be able to walk normally or fight the pain. The doctors are ready to perform the surgery for free, but I need to purchase the system itself. For this, I am reaching out to charitable donors for help.

I believe everything will turn out well. That I will once again stand firmly on my feet, pain-free — not just for myself, but for my family and for Ukraine.

After the victory, there are many dreams. The most important one is peace and a happy family. But as long as the war continues, my place is there, on the front line.
 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 72,000

 

The fundraiser for the spinal system for Taras, call sign TUMAN, has been completed!

The surgery was successfully performed, and our Hero is already feeling much better. According to him, the pain syndrome has noticeably decreased, which is a huge step forward in his recovery. Currently, Taras is still in the hospital, undergoing rehabilitation and continuing to fight for a full life.

This result was made possible thanks to the informational support of Bihus.Info and your donations!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the fundraiser, donated, and spread the word. Together, we are changing the lives of our defenders for the better!