Soldier Andriy Synyak, callsign SYNIY

My name is Andriy Synyak, callsign — Syniy. I am 22 years old.

In 2021, I joined the army for compulsory service, during which I signed a contract and became part of the State Border Guard Service. I consciously chose this path — just like my father, who served as a border guard all his life. I couldn’t stand aside when our country was in danger.

I served in the rapid response group “Shkval” of the 7th Carpathian Border Detachment. One of the hottest directions where I served was the Serebryansky Forest in Donetsk region.

On May 25, 2025, together with a comrade, I was evacuating people from positions. We had already evacuated several groups, and only the last one remained. At that moment, we were spotted by an enemy drone. Then came artillery and tank shelling.

I was thrown back by the blast wave. Two comrades were killed on the spot. I was severely wounded and couldn’t walk. The guys dragged me across the ground… I remember the pain, fragments of voices, medics. Everything felt like through a fog.

Diagnosis:

  • blast injury,
  • open shrapnel wound,
  • open fracture of the right knee joint,
  • tourniquet syndrome (more than 4 hours),
  • hemorrhagic shock.

The knee was completely destroyed. It had to be removed. Ahead lies endoprosthetic replacement, but before such a complex surgery, the leg must be carefully prepared.

At the moment, I move with crutches, my leg is in a brace, I don’t step on it at all. Without proper rehabilitation, the tissues are not ready for prosthetics. The knee bends only 60 degrees — critically insufficient for surgery.

Doctors have set a clear goal: restore the range of motion to give the artificial joint a chance to adapt. To achieve this, I need to undergo professional rehabilitation at the “Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center” of NCSIU — a facility that works with wounded soldiers with such complex injuries.

My dream is to stand on my feet again. In the future to learn a peaceful profession as a welder and live with dignity. Independently. Without pain, without crutches.

The surgery requires significant funds. I cannot handle this on my own, which is why I am forced to ask for help.

But I am not one to give up!
I am doing everything in my power to stand on my feet again. To be useful.
 

COLLECTING: UAH 90,000