Soldier Mykhailo

My name is Mykhailo, and I am a soldier of the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade. In February 2022, as soon as the full-scale invasion began, my friends and I went to the military enlistment office without hesitation. It was our choice — to defend our land and our people. I have been serving ever since without a break.

This winter, on February 12, 2025, we were carrying out a combat mission in the Sumy region. It was dark, nighttime, tense as always. At one point, I noticed a drone — it was flying straight toward the windshield of our vehicle. I managed to swerve left just a few meters, and at that exact moment, the drone exploded on my side.

I don’t remember anything after that — I came to in another vehicle. My comrades who were driving behind us pulled me out, saved me, and took me to a hospital in Sumy. Later, I was transferred to Kyiv.

I sustained severe injuries: blast trauma, shrapnel wounds to my arm, hand, right thigh, and shin. My right leg was seriously damaged — a complex fracture, impaired joint mobility. Today, I can only walk with crutches.

Specialists say that without quality rehabilitation, it will be very difficult for me to regain the ability to walk independently, let alone run or regain endurance. I have problems with my range of motion, my muscle strength is reduced, and I can’t move around properly.

But I really want to regain my mobility. I want to stand confidently on my feet. And most importantly — I want to return to my comrades. That is my goal.

That is why I am reaching out for help. I need specialized rehabilitation at the “Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center” of the National Committee for Sports of the Disabled of Ukraine — a trusted facility where they help people recover physically and mentally after serious injuries. This is my chance to walk again on my own, without crutches. And to live fully.
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The fundraising campaign for specialized rehabilitation for severely wounded defender Mykhailo has been successfully closed. The course at the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center of the NCSU has been fully paid for and completed.

Despite severe injuries and limited mobility following a blast trauma, Mykhailo worked on himself every day. During his stay at the center, he received:

  •  52 hours of individual sessions with a physical therapist,
  • 4 hours with an occupational therapist,
  • 8 hours with a neuropsychologist,
  • 40 hours of individual and group recreational therapy.

Key rehabilitation outcomes:

  • Four-Square Step Test: improved from 7.76 sec to 4.87 sec
  • Timed Up and Go Test: improved from 7.75 sec to 4.92 sec
  • 6-Minute Walk Test: increased from 390 meters to 605 meters
  • 10-Meter Walk Test: improved from 7.15 sec to 4.85 sec
  • 50-meter run: initially unable to perform, now completes in 13.30 sec

Additionally, there has been a significant improvement in Mykhailo’s coordination, flexibility, and endurance following the rehabilitation course. This is a major step forward. A new stage of recovery lies ahead, with a focus on running and functional independence.

We sincerely thank everyone who contributed to this campaign — through donations, shares, and kind words.

Special thanks to the specialists at the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center of the NCSU for their professional care and compassion.

Mykhailo has already taken his first confident step toward a full life. And we remain by his side — onward, together — toward recovery.

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 90,000