Soldier Serhii Rokytskyi

I am a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and I served in military unit A3283. I am 45 years old and live in the village of Vilne in Kirovohrad region. I am married and the father of five children (two biological and three adopted). Throughout my conscious life, I worked as a heavy‑truck driver. I loved my work and was used to being on the road, responsible for the cargo, the route, and safety.

When the full‑scale war began, I understood that defending the country is the duty of every person. I told myself, “Who, if not me?” My duty was to protect my family, my children, and my state. With this awareness, I joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I served in the tank forces, where I was needed most.

On March 26, 2025, while carrying out a combat mission near the village of Popovka in Belgorod region, our unit came under heavy artillery fire. Shrapnel struck me from several sides. The fact that I survived is truly a miracle. A gunshot wound destroyed the right side of my lower jaw. The fracture was complex, comminuted, and displaced. In addition, my left arm was severely injured — the bones were shattered, and the blood vessels and nerves were damaged. The doctors fought to save it until the end, but after 35 hours of tourniquet pressure, irreversible ischemia began. The arm had to be amputated above the site where the tourniquet had been applied.

The amputated left arm is only part of the trials I’ve faced. Due to the severe injury to my jaw, I cannot speak normally, eat, or smile. To recover, I need a complex reconstructive surgery and a customized patient‑specific mandibular metal osteosynthesis set, made precisely for my case. For my family, this is a large financial burden, so I am forced to ask for help. This is my chance to return to a more fulfilling life — to speak again, eat, and be a father to my children.

_____________________________________

The fundraiser for the customized patient‑specific mandibular metal osteosynthesis set for the severely wounded defender Serhii Rokytskyi has been successfully closed. The required amount has been collected, and the need has already been paid. We sincerely thank everyone who contributed, who did not stand aside, who supports our defenders and believes in them.

This is important. This is meaningful. This gives strength to live on. Together, we truly change lives.
 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 17,301