Soldier Oleksandr Shershen

I am Oleksandr Shershen. And this war will forever be part of my face.

I am an ordinary Ukrainian from Dnipro. Before the war, I ran my own business, lived a peaceful life, and together with my wife, we were raising our daughter. But when Russia invaded our land, I couldn’t stand aside. In April 2022, I voluntarily joined the ranks of the National Guard. I went through the hell of the Serebryanske forestry, then the Kupiansk direction. I defended everything that is dearest to me — my family, my home, my country.

Now I am fighting again — for the chance to see, speak, and breathe without pain.

April 27, 2025, Kupiansk direction. We were in the process of rotating personnel. The day seemed relatively calm… until an enemy drone appeared above us. Everything happened in seconds. An explosion. Darkness. Sharp pain.

I sustained a severe injury: shrapnel shattered my left cheekbone, pierced into my eye, leaving metal fragments inside. Broken facial bones, hematomas, a concussion… The doctors said it outright — it’s a miracle that I survived.

After such an injury, a highly complex surgical intervention is required. The doctors need to model and produce a custom orbital plate that will fit precisely to my damaged skull. This is extremely precise, high-tech work that includes 3D printing of my anatomical model, selection of screws, complex calculations. Without this, surgery is impossible. And without the surgery, the chances of restoring function to my left eye or avoiding complications are minimal.

But the cost of this plate is unaffordable for my family, especially now when I am unable to work. That’s why I am appealing to benefactors for help.

Every day we see: the war is near. It changes faces, destinies, bodies. But it cannot change our dignity, our unity. I withstood the war. Now I deeply want to withstand the path to recovery.

 

____________________________________

The fundraising campaign for defender Oleksandr has been successfully completed. The necessary amount for the production of the custom orbital plate has been raised, the need fully covered, and the surgery is already scheduled. Ahead lies a difficult path of recovery, rehabilitation, and return to a full life. But thanks to your support, this path has become more real.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our partners — the charity organization Ukraine Charity — for their trust and assistance. It is thanks to you that Oleksandr has been given a chance at recovery.

There are still many challenges ahead — but we believe: with such support, everything will definitely be all right.

 

TRANSFERRED: UAH 37,914