Soldier Andrii Diachyshyn, callsign MORYACHOK

My path of fighting for Ukraine began back in 2013, when after my conscript service I went to Maidan during the Revolution of Dignity. There I was in the 10th hundred, and it was there that I received my callsign — MORYACHOK, because I had served my conscription in the Marine Corps. Since then, my life has been inseparably connected with war.

In 2014, after the annexation of Crimea, I volunteered, and later served in the “Donbas” battalion and in the Armed Forces of Ukraine under contract. I was wounded more than once but always returned to service, to my brothers-in-arms. For me, defending my homeland is not just a job — it’s the mission of my life.

In 2019, during combat, I sustained a severe gunshot wound: a through-and-through shot to the leg, shrapnel, and a firearm fracture of the bone. Doctors insisted on long-term treatment, but I couldn’t leave the guys — I returned to the frontline even on crutches.

In 2021, in Luhansk region, I was wounded again by an enemy sniper — this time, in the head. Ahead of me were long months of treatment and rehabilitation, in Ukraine and abroad.

But the war left its mark. Because of the injury, I now have foot inversion and internal rotation. This means that without a special orthosis, I practically cannot walk. The Ministry of Social Policy issued me an orthosis in Ukraine, but it is too rigid and unsuitable for everyday use. Every step in it is pain and discomfort.

There is another option — a special orthosis that I have already tried in Greece. It is much more comfortable, lighter, and more practical. With it, I can walk normally, move faster, and live without constant suffering. But I cannot afford to buy it on my own.

That’s why I am forced to ask for help — to raise funds for the orthosis. This is not a luxury or a whim. This is the only chance to walk again, to live fully, to be with my loved ones, and to help others.

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The fundraiser for Andrii Diachyshyn, callsign MORYACHOK, has been successfully closed, and the need has been fully covered.

On behalf of the foundation, we sincerely thank everyone who supported this fundraiser with donations. Thanks to you, Andrii will receive the necessary orthosis and take steps toward a more active life.

We especially want to thank Bernd and Gabi Schulzendorf, who celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on August 16 in the city of Velbert, Germany, and made an incredibly touching gesture — they donated to the foundation all the money gifted to them for the occasion. Part of this sum helped fully close the fundraiser for Andrii. This is a tremendous example of humanity and kindness that knows no borders.

Thank you for your support and trust. Together we help our Defenders take steps forward — toward life, toward dreams, toward the future.

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: EUR 750

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After the need for an orthosis was successfully met, Andrii approached our foundation with a new request — support for a rehabilitation course at the “Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center” of the NCSIU. This is the same center where he had previously undergone treatment. The specialists there know his condition well and confirm: rehabilitation for Andrii is not a temporary phase — it is a lifelong necessity.

The center’s specialists provided insight into his condition.

Andrii suffers from serious consequences of upper motor neuron damage following a traumatic brain injury. His supramalleolar ankle-foot orthosis was recently upgraded to a newer, more reliable version, as the previous one had worn out. However, even with the new orthosis, progress will be limited without systematic rehabilitation.

In his case, rehabilitation must be ongoing and lifelong — to maintain walking ability, flexibility, coordination, and mobility. Andrii is highly social and open, but overly self-critical and doesn’t always accurately assess his own capabilities. That’s why the work with him involves not only physical but also adaptive and psychological tasks.

Despite this, he is extremely motivated. All exercises are designed to improve his performance, and clear progress is already visible:

  • significant improvement in the Four Square Step Test
  • better balance
  • more confident lateral and backward steps
  • improved reaction to external stimuli
  • progress in stair work and complex coordination tasks

The center’s specialists continue to work on all of this — to help Andrii become more mobile, flexible, socially adapted, and self-assured.

But in order to continue this rehabilitation and preserve what’s already been achieved, Andrii needs financial support. The cost of the course is 90,000 UAH. Andrii does not have these funds. That’s why, as a foundation, we are launching a new fundraiser and asking everyone who cares to contribute.

Every hryvnia is a direct investment in his ability to walk, recover, and live as fully as possible.

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The rehabilitation fundraiser for severely wounded defender Andrii Dyachyshyn, call sign MORIACHOK, has been successfully closed. The need has been covered. The rehabilitation course has been completed.

We sincerely thank everyone who contributed through donations, sharing the message, kind words, or support. For Andrii, it was a reminder that he is not alone on this journey.

A special and heartfelt thank-you goes to our friends and reliable partners at British-Ukrainian Aid. It was thanks to your support that this fundraiser was fully covered, giving Andrii the opportunity to complete the essential recovery course.

We also thank the team of rehabilitation specialists for their professional, attentive, and systematic work. According to the center’s head physical therapist, Andrii has become noticeably more confident in his movements: he now has better control of his supporting limb in the orthosis and performs steps forward, backward, sideways, turns, and movements in both limited and open spaces more safely.

The results of the course are tangible and measurable:

  • improved walking speed and endurance;
  • increased stability and coordination.

Significant improvements in functional test scores:

  • Four Square Step Test: initially unable to perform → now 27.9 sec
  • 6-Minute Walk Test: 316 m → 370 m
  • 10-Meter Walk Test: 11.8 sec → 9.5 sec
  • Timed Up and Go Test: 9.1 sec → 7 sec
  • Dynamic Gait Index: 16 → 20 points

At the same time, specialists emphasize that the risk of falling remains, meaning that rehabilitation and support are still critically important. What lies ahead is daily work and a continued journey toward a fuller, more active life.

We believe in Andrii. And we thank everyone involved for helping turn that belief into real, measurable progress.

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 90,000