Soldier Yaroslav Kryshtapovych, call sign YARYI

I am a volunteer. In December 2022, I came to the military enlistment office on my own — I couldn’t stand by while Russia was wiping our cities off the face of the earth.

I served in the 25th Separate Air Assault Brigade, and then transferred to the “Tenth” — the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade “Edelweiss.” These were my people, my rhythm, my front.

On March 17, 2025, at around 3 a.m., during a combat mission near the village of Dvorichna in the Kupiansk direction, I sustained a severe injury due to an enemy UAV drop.

I remember only one thing: an explosion — and then curses. No deep thoughts, just wild pain and rage. My brothers-in-arms — angels without wings — walked three kilometers to reach me and dragged me the same distance back to evacuation. They pulled me out of that hell.

At the stabilization point, medics recorded:

• gunshot shrapnel wounds to both knees, the lower third of the left shin, and the right side of the chest;
• acoustic trauma and a heart contusion.

But the worst news came later — my left leg requires total knee replacement.

I’ve already undergone two surgeries — they cleaned the wounds, removed shrapnel from my knee and chest. I’m currently receiving treatment at a military hospital. I live in anticipation of the next step — knee joint replacement.

This isn’t about comfort. It’s about being able to walk, live without pain, get out of bed on my own, and not stay in a “half-shadow” state. It’s about having a chance to return to a normal life.

The operation requires significant funds. I cannot cover the cost on my own, so I have to ask for help.

But I’m not the kind to give up!

My goal is to undergo surgery, recover, and return to service. Maybe not to the front line — but I can and want to keep serving.

I’m doing everything in my power to stand on my feet again. To be useful. Because the war isn’t over. And I haven’t done everything I can in it — yet.

_____________________________________

The fundraising campaign for Yaroslav’s endoprosthesis has been successfully closed.

The need has been fully covered, and the surgery has been performed. Treatment is proceeding according to plan. Ahead lies rehabilitation and the path to recovery.

We sincerely thank everyone who contributed — through donations, reposts, or words of support.

A special thank you to our partners — the charity organization Ukraine Charity — for their assistance, without which this would not have been possible.

We believe that Yaroslav will recover, stand on his feet again, and return to those who are waiting for him, where he is needed the most.

Thank you for making this important work possible together.

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 95,000