Soldier Serhii Kolomiiets, callsign VOVK

My name is Liudmyla Ohorodnia, and I am the wife of serviceman Serhii Kolomiiets, callsign VOVK. Today, I am reaching out to all kind-hearted people, asking for help — to give my husband a chance to live a full life again.

When the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022, Serhii was working as a mechanic-driver at a dairy factory. But, just like our son — who has been defending Ukraine since 2014 — Serhii couldn’t stay aside. By April 2022, he had volunteered to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Although Serhii had never served before, he completed training in Lviv and was assigned to the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade “Kholodnyi Yar.” His combat path began in the Kharkiv region — from May to August 2022. Then came fierce battles near Bakhmut. It was there that Serhii sustained his first injuries — shrapnel wounds to his arm, a concussion, and partial vision loss.

After treatment, he returned to service. He served in Chasiv Yar, then in Kostiantynivka, and later in Druzhkivka. The effects of the concussion lingered, but he never complained. Even after receiving the third disability group, he told me, “I can’t stay home while the guys are out there.” And he went back to his unit again.

But June 19, 2025, became the day that changed our lives forever.

That evening, after his shift, Serhii was returning to rest when he suddenly felt dizzy and fell down the stairs. The next morning, I couldn’t reach him. Only at 2 p.m. did I learn from his comrade’s wife that Serhii was in the hospital. When he regained consciousness, he asked the medical staff to call me. He said only one thing:

“Liuda, I’m in Dnipro, at Mechnikov Hospital. Everything will be fine…”

At that moment, I didn’t yet know how serious his injuries were. After his condition stabilized in Dnipro, he was transferred first to Vinnytsia, and later to Lviv.
The diagnosis is terrifying: a cervical spine injury, tetraparesis. My Serhii cannot feel his legs or arms. He cannot move on his own.

From the first day, I have been by his side. Together we fight for every movement, every glimmer of hope, for his life. Doctors say there is a chance — but it requires long-term specialized rehabilitation at the Agape Center (Lutsk), where some of the best specialists work with spinal injury patients.

However, the cost of rehabilitation is unbearable for our family. That’s why I am asking for help — to give Serhii a chance to start his recovery at this specialized center. Serhii is a true warrior. He gave his health for Ukraine, for our safety. Now I ask for help so that he can win this hardest battle.

Every hryvnia is faith in a second chance for our defender.
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The fundraiser for the severely wounded defender Serhii Kolomiiets is now CLOSED.

Friends, we thank each of you who contributed to the fundraiser — the rehabilitation course at the “AGAPE” center has been fully paid for, and Serhii is already undergoing intensive recovery.

Your support — donations, shares, kind words — made this possible.
We also express our deep gratitude to the rehabilitation team at “AGAPE” for their professionalism, daily work, and attentive care for Serhii.

The specialists shared an update on his rehabilitation progress.

Occupational Therapy:

• The therapist is working on gradually increasing passive range of motion in his shoulders and elbows. Pain in the shoulder has already decreased — from 8/10 down to 5/10.
• There is observable contraction of certain muscles and the onset of minimal active movements in his arms. Range of motion is slowly increasing (before rehabilitation, shoulder flexion and abduction were limited to 90°).
• Rhythmic mobilization of shoulder joints and shoulder blades is ongoing. There are no dramatic rapid changes yet — which is natural given the severity of the injury — but the trend remains steadily positive.

Physical Therapy:

• Work continues to increase passive range of motion in the lower limbs to prevent contractures. Relatives have been taught how to perform these exercises correctly at home.
• His tolerance for vertical positioning is improving; manifestations of orthostatic hypotension are decreasing. There is a small but noticeable positive trend in movement and sensitivity of the left lower limb.
• Serhii practices sitting with support on his arms — this helps restore body control and improves stability.

A long path of recovery lies ahead, but the process has already started. We believe in Serhii, we support him at every step, and we thank you for standing by his side.

 

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 147,000