Soldier Andrii Samoilenko, call sign SHURIK

My name is Andrii Samoilenko, callsign Shurik. I joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine on February 27, 2022, because I couldn’t stand aside when war came to my home. I fought in the Serebrianske Forest, where, on February 12, 2024, I was seriously wounded during a combat mission.

Mortar shelling. Explosion. Pain. Darkness. I lay on the ground for four hours, too weak to even call for help. I don’t know who pulled me out. I regained consciousness in Mechnikov Hospital.

Doctors diagnosed me with a blast injury, a shrapnel wound to the spine, and multiple fractures of the pelvis, leg, shin, and foot. The prognosis was uncertain, but they told me I had a chance to walk again and lead an active life. The most important thing was to keep fighting.

Right now, I move around in a wheelchair, but I’m already taking my first steps in orthoses with the help of a walker. My goal is to transition from a walker to crutches and eventually walk on my own. I dream of taking even a few steps without any aids.

To achieve this, I need to continue rehabilitation at the Agape center.

My physical therapist notes progress in my walking recovery and says my injury is incomplete, meaning I have a real chance for further improvement. An additional 3-4 weeks of rehabilitation will help me strengthen my muscles, improve functional walking, and refine my technique.

Specialized rehabilitation is my chance, but it’s expensive, so I have to ask for help. Every donation is a step toward walking independently again.

Thank you to everyone who stands with me. Together – to victory. On the front line and in the fight for life.

 

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The fundraising campaign for Andrii Samoilenko’s specialized rehabilitation has been successfully closed!

Thanks to your active support, Andrii was able to undergo a full rehabilitation course at the Agape Rehabilitation Complex from February 17 to April 2, 2025. As a result, positive progress has been observed:

  • improved functional independence;
  • strengthened core and lower limb muscles;
  • significant pain reduction and improved quality of life;
  • acquired skills to walk short distances (up to 20 meters) on flat surfaces using orthoses and crutches.

The medical team reports steady progress. Andrii worked actively with rehabilitation specialists and did everything possible to return to a full life.

Looking ahead, specialists recommend maintaining an active lifestyle and practicing walking short and long distances to increase endurance.

A special thank-you to our reliable partner — the charity organization British-Ukrainian Aid — for the financial support provided for Andrii’s rehabilitation. Thanks to your assistance, we were able to promptly ensure the necessary conditions to continue the recovery process, which allowed us to maintain therapeutic momentum and achieve positive results.

We sincerely thank each and every person who contributed to this campaign! Together, we’ve once again proven: no one’s pain is someone else’s problem. There’s still a long road ahead, but the first big step has been made.

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 78,400