Soldier Vasyl Tur, call sign PTUR

My name is Vasyl Tur, I’m 31 years old, and I’m from Poltava.
I have been serving in the army since 2016. I spent three years under contract as an artilleryman before leaving to focus on my family. But when the invaders decided to fertilize our land with their bones, I couldn’t stand aside.

When the full-scale invasion began, I had no choice—only to defend my homeland. I believe this is more than just a matter of honor; it’s the sacred duty of every man to protect his home, his parents, siblings, and the future of his children. This is our land, and only we decide what its tomorrow will be.

I’m an infantryman of the 116th Territorial Defense Brigade. After my first injury near Soledar, I spent another year as an assault soldier until complications arose, and I was reassigned as a driver, transporting soldiers to and from positions.

May 7, 2024 — The Day That Changed Everything. Our unit received a report that two comrades were wounded on the front line. My partner and I decided to go together—it was just 300-400 meters from enemy positions. When we reached the spot, I helped load the wounded into a Ford Ranger pickup. Another driver took the wheel, and I stayed in the trench to cover them in case of shelling.

Everything was going smoothly until we began to drive away. The pickup hit an anti-tank “barrier.” A TM-62 mine detonated—there were at least 20 of them in that area. I remember the explosion. The next thing I knew, I was crawling toward the trench, unable to feel my legs. Both legs were broken, my throat was cut by shrapnel, my eyes were burned, my nose was pierced, and my arm was injured. We waited four hours for evacuation. One of my comrades didn’t survive...  I thank God and the 79th Brigade—their guys came to evacuate us.

On the way to Zaporizhzhia, my heart stopped several times. The doctors fought for every heartbeat. In Zaporizhzhia, they considered amputating both legs but decided to try saving them. I was sent to Dnipro, then Kyiv. The left leg turned black. Amputation was inevitable.

Later, I was transferred to Ivano-Frankivsk, where doctors managed to save my right leg. I’m still undergoing rehabilitation here. The state provided me with a quality functional prosthesis, and I’m doing everything I can to regain a full life.

However, due to complications in treating my remaining limb, I now need to make my prosthesis safer and more comfortable. Specialists have recommended:

— A locking liner to reduce stump sensitivity and improve comfort.

— A special fixation mechanism to ease standing and walking.

Unfortunately, state funds aren’t enough to cover these essential components. That’s why I’m reaching out to kind-hearted people for help.

This is the final step on my journey to return to an active life.

I dream of walking again—to stand on my own feet and travel to Georgia, just for a short break from the war. Then, I want to come back, help my comrades, and be useful to my country.
 

TRANSFERRED: UAH 7,565