Soldier Yevhen Hots
My name is Yevhen Hots. On April 9, 2022, I stood up to defend Ukraine by joining the ranks of the Armed Forces. I initially served in the 55th Separate Artillery Brigade "Zaporizhzhia Sich" and was later transferred to the sapper unit of military unit A 0536.
On August 22, 2022, near the village of Kurdiumivka, our unit came under devastating enemy artillery fire. In the heat of battle, I sustained severe injuries – to my right leg, left arm, and right shoulder. I could no longer move on my own, but my comrades tried to evacuate me. However, the enemy continued shelling relentlessly. I held on until the last moment, but eventually, I lost consciousness due to my injuries.
I regained consciousness alone, surrounded by ruins and explosions that lasted until the morning of August 24. That was when I was found by occupiers from the so-called "LNR." "Happy Independence Day," they said as they took me prisoner. First, they took me to a hospital, and later to a prisoner-of-war camp. In the colony where I was held, there were over a thousand of our soldiers. We never lost faith and supported each other.
On December 31, 2022, I returned home as part of a major prisoner exchange. This was my second victory—I survived and came back to my own.
After my release, another battle began—the battle for recovery. My treatment took place in Sumy, Lviv, Uzhhorod, and later in Germany. At first, I could still move with crutches, hoping for recovery. But time passed, and the consequences of captivity took their toll. The lack of proper medical care in captivity left its mark—my leg did not heal, and the pain never ceased. After eight months, the doctors made an irreversible decision: amputation.
The doctors had promised rehabilitation and prosthetics, but once the blocking nail was removed, they suddenly declared that my treatment was complete.
I did not give up. I reached out to the Ministry of Health, explained my situation, and returned to Ukraine. I underwent a military medical commission, was deemed unfit for military service, and later underwent a reamputation.
Finally, I received a prosthetic, but this was just another stage in the fight for a full life. I need to master the prosthetic to lead an active life.
Despite all the challenges, I refuse to stop. I need rehabilitation at the "Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center" of the National Committee for Sports of the Disabled of Ukraine to learn to walk on my prosthetic and restore my physical condition. I am ready for this challenge.
And after rehabilitation, another important mission awaits. I want to travel to Germany to personally thank the people who supported me during my difficult times in a foreign country.
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The rehabilitation specialists working with Yevhen emphasized the need to continue the course.
This will help consolidate the results and prevent complications in the future. At this stage, it is crucial not to interrupt the process — the body is now ready for further progress.
Therefore, the fundraising goal has been increased in accordance with the updated individual recovery plan.
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The fundraiser for the rehabilitation of severely wounded defender Yevhen Hots is officially closed. The rehabilitation course at the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center of the NCSIU has been successfully paid for and fully completed.
We are grateful to everyone who contributed with donations, shares, and kind words. Thanks to you, this path from pain to recovery became possible.
A special heartfelt thank you to our trusted partner — British-Ukrainian Aid. Your financial support made it possible to close the fundraiser in time and ensure Yevhen received the necessary rehabilitation.
We also thank the team of rehabilitation specialists who worked with Yevhen.
The rehabilitation goals and objectives were achieved. They focused on improving mobility skills in a standing position, increasing overall strength, endurance, and tolerance to physical exertion, as well as enhancing walking performance with a prosthesis and without additional aids.
Test results (before / after):
- “Get Up and Go” test: from 16.93 sec to 13.59 sec
- 10-meter walk test: from 13.27 sec to 9.99 sec
- 6-minute walk test: increased distance from 251 m to 270 m
- Residual limb pain decreased
- Fatigue levels decreased
- Four Square Step Test: from 20.61 sec to 14.75 sec
There is still much daily work ahead, but most importantly — Yevhen is confidently moving forward. We are here. And we always will be.
Thank you for believing. Thank you for helping.
COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 180,000
