Soldier Viktor Matiiko, callsign PTITSA

I am a Major in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

For me, the war began back in 2014, when I, like many other volunteers, joined the fight to defend our homeland. I started my service in the legendary “Kholodnyi Yar” brigade. Then came a long road: Donetsk Airport, Butivka mine, Zenit position, Avdiivka… In 2017, I decided to sign a contract with the Armed Forces. I carried out combat missions in places like Novotoshkivka and Hranitne.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, I’ve served in the 71st Separate Jaeger Brigade. There were many moments during my service that are etched in my memory — some funny, some horrifying.

One of them was on October 22, 2022. Early in the morning, around 7:00 AM, a heavy artillery barrage began and lasted nearly 40 minutes. I was tasked with heading to the mortar unit and evacuating our soldiers who had just returned from an assault near Kovalivka.

The evacuation took place under intense fire. During one of the barrages, I dropped to the ground waiting for it to end, when I suddenly felt a sharp, burning pain in my right leg. I realized I had been wounded. I couldn’t stand on the leg. I spotted a hole nearby where some of my comrades were taking cover. I crawled to them — they gave me first aid and bandaged the wounds.

Half an hour later, when the shelling subsided a bit, a vehicle picked me up and took me to the stabilization point in Borova. That’s where I first heard the diagnosis: a severe shrapnel wound to my right leg.

That day became a turning point. My life split into “before” and “after.” A long recovery began — hospitals in Kharkiv, Sumy, Kyiv, and Lviv. Fortunately, my leg was saved, but it required complex surgeries and months of pain.

Despite everything, I returned to service. And in November 2023, I was once again on the front line. But in March 2025, I was finally discharged due to health reasons.

Today I continue to support the army as a volunteer, but I still suffer from the consequences of my injury: severe pain, limited range of motion, and reduced strength in the leg. Because of this, I have limited mobility — I can’t run, walk fast, or fully recover without further specialized help.

After my first course at the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center of NCSIU, I genuinely felt improvement. I was able to stop using orthopedic shoes and the pain decreased. But full recovery is still far away. The rehab specialists confirmed that in my case, further rehabilitation is necessary — the potential is real. I have the motivation and strength to keep working, but I can’t do it alone, so I’m turning for help.

A rehabilitation course at the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center of NCSIU is a real chance to regain mobility, restore confidence in movement, ease daily pain, and live an active life — to keep helping others.

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The fundraiser for Major Viktor Matiyko’s specialized rehabilitation is officially closed.
He has already completed his course at the “Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center” of the NSCDU, and ahead lies the road to a full life after a severe combat injury.

According to the specialists at the center, the rehabilitation goals have been achieved:

• improved strength, endurance, and stability;
• walking has become confident, movements — without pain, without assistive devices.

The test results are inspiring:

• Four Square Step Test: from 7.6 sec → to 5.1 sec
• “Get Up and Go”: from 6.5 sec → to 4.3 sec
• 6-min walk: from 501 m → to 670 m
• 10 m walk: from 5.9 sec → to 3.7 sec

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed: with donations, shares, and kind words.

Special gratitude to the organizers and participants of the “Wake up” online marathon — all funds raised during the event were directed to Viktor’s recovery. Such initiatives are more than just events. They are support, unity, and a reminder that we never leave our own behind.

We also thank the rehabilitation team at the “Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center” of the NSCDU, who perform incredible work every single day. You are the strong rear.

Viktor still has a long way to go, but this stage has been completed with dignity.
The defender is recovering, and with your support — he will surely achieve even more.

Thank you for being here.

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 90,000