Soldier Volodymyr Barbelyukh, call sign ODESA

My name is Volodymyr Barbelyukh, call sign ODESA. The war caught me in Warsaw, where I was working at the time. At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, I was helping people fleeing the war to cross the border. I worked alongside Estonian volunteers who were welcoming Ukrainians into their country. Together, we assisted at the Ukrainian-Polish border, meeting people and transporting them to Warsaw for evacuation flights.

When the flow of refugees began to decrease, a friend and I returned to Ukraine. Initially, we headed to the Khmelnytskyi region, but we were unable to join the military there. So we traveled to Kyiv and joined the territorial defense forces. However, the service in that unit seemed too passive, so we decided to transfer to the newly formed TDF Azov unit. In March 2022, this unit was reorganized into the Azov Special Operations Regiment, and by the summer of 2022, I was deployed to the Zaporizhzhia front.

We stayed there throughout the summer, and in the fall, the formation of the 3rd Assault Brigade began. After completing training, we were deployed to Bakhmut. Winter, spring, and summer of 2023 were the most intense and challenging months. On the Donetsk front, while carrying out my duties in the combat zone, I sustained a severe cervical spinal injury on June 25, 2023. In an instant, my body became paralyzed.

For over a year now, I have been fighting for my life and independence. I am still paralyzed, and my injury has left severe and irreversible consequences. But I refuse to give up. Today, rehabilitation is my daily work and my greatest hope. My goal is to regain enough strength in my arms to achieve as much independence in everyday life as possible.

Unfortunately, I don’t have family members who can provide care, so I must rely on the help of kind-hearted people. Currently, I am undergoing a rehabilitation course at the Agape center, but I need to continue it. Every day at this center is a chance to move closer to independent living.

Please support me in this fight. Together, we can achieve more. Every contribution you make is a step toward my recovery.

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 43,400 

 

My fight for life and independence continues. I am putting in every effort to regain mobility in my hands and become at least slightly more independent in daily life.

Currently, I am at the “Agape Ukraine” rehabilitation center, where I am receiving the critical assistance I need. Unfortunately, I have no close relatives who can provide me with 24-hour care. My mother, the only family I have, is unable to be by my side due to her own health issues. Considering the consequences of my injury — lower paraplegia and upper paraparesis — I require night positioning in bed every three hours, help with dressing, transferring to a wheelchair, eating, hygiene, and other daily needs.

I cannot manage all of these tasks on my own, which is why continuing my rehabilitation at the “Agape Ukraine” center is essential.

Additionally, I am unable to travel to my military unit or the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center (TRSSC) at my place of registration to complete the discharge process from the Armed Forces of Ukraine and finalize all necessary documents and payments. Fortunately, since I am currently in Lutsk, we have established connections with the Assistance Center for Combatants. They are helping me obtain “War Disability” status and the corresponding benefits.

At “Agape Ukraine,” I also have access to a gym, work with a trainer, and participate in daily rehabilitation sessions. This gives me a chance to prevent further complications and improve my physical condition. Therefore, staying and continuing my rehabilitation at this center is currently the best and only option for me to enhance my health and social adaptation.

I appeal to everyone who cares for support in my fight. Any contribution will help me continue my recovery at the “Agape Ukraine” rehabilitation center and move closer to achieving maximum independence.

 

________________________________________

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 70,000

 

Fundraising is closed. This is a new and important step in Volodymyr's recovery after his injury.

This was made possible thanks to the support of those who care and a special initiative - a charity auction of paintings in the style of Petrykivka painting

Sincere gratitude to Iryna Kyrychok and Yanina Teperyk, who organized this auction, made efforts to make the initiative known to as many people as possible, and donated all proceeds to Volodymyr's rehabilitation.

 

TOTAL COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 113,400