Soldier Yaroslav Semchyshyn, call sign DOVHYI

I am a junior sergeant in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Military service has always been part of my life: I completed my compulsory service, and I knew — if my country needed me, I would go without hesitation.

When the full‑scale invasion began, I went to the enlistment office on my own with my summons. It was not coercion — it was my conscious choice. I completed training in the Lviv and Poltava regions, passed the selection for the Air Assault Forces, and joined the ranks of the 82nd Brigade.

We were being prepared for an operation that at the time was not spoken about aloud. Later, the whole world learned about it. Kursk. I served as the chief sergeant of the 3rd Air Assault Battalion. My responsibility was the people — my brothers‑in‑arms, the personnel. I took care of them as best I could: in battle, on the move, in the hardest conditions. Because in war the main thing is not to leave your own behind.

On August 6, 2024, the offensive began. Our task was to enter enemy territory and secure positions. The Russians quickly regrouped: massed equipment and drones advanced, and street fighting began. Near the village of Novoivanivka, in a wooded area, I engaged in combat. I personally shot down two enemy drones. The third dropped a grenade. It exploded right on my head, piercing my kevlar helmet.

We found ourselves surrounded.

I was changing positions, and a severely wounded comrade was beside me. Evacuation under an offensive was almost impossible, but I called for it. The medics of our brigade did the impossible — they broke through to us.

At that moment, over the radio it was already reported: “DOVHYI — 200.”
But I survived.

At the stabilization point they confirmed: I was alive but had a severe penetrating traumatic brain injury. My family didn’t know for more than a week where I was or whether I was alive at all. On August 14, 2024, I was transferred to Sumy and operated on. I miraculously remembered my family’s phone number — a nurse called them and said I was alive. Then came Kyiv and Lviv, and another surgery. The skull defect was covered with a titanium plate.

The consequences of the injury are serious. I have left‑sided and partial right‑sided hemiparesis. I cannot control my left arm or leg, I cannot sit up independently, and I cannot take care of myself in daily life without external help. A long rehabilitation began in various cities of Ukraine. Throughout this journey, my mom has been by my side. There is positive progress, there are prospects, strength is returning to my limbs — but the path to independence is still very long.

For courage and for the fact that I led my platoon out of encirclement without losses, I was personally awarded the Order “For Courage” III class by the President of Ukraine. For me, this is a great honor and at the same time a reminder of responsibility — to live on and keep fighting.

After a year of state rehabilitation, my family and I had to turn to a private rehabilitation center in Modrychi. I underwent six months of recovery there at my own expense. The rehabilitation specialists note my perseverance and my will to work.

I am 42 years old. I have a son, parents, and a family. I very much want to return to the most independent life possible. The next and extremely important stage is the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center, which has extensive experience working with such severe injuries. I sincerely believe that it is there that I will be able to take another real step toward independence from external help. But the truth is this: my family’s financial resources have been exhausted. We have done everything we could on our own, and now we are forced to ask for help.

I dream of being useful again. I know: military service is my element. Even if I am no longer on the front line, I will find a way to serve Ukraine. But right now I need support.

My war hasn’t ended.
It continues every day in the rehabilitation hall, in the pain, in the fatigue, and in the small victories over my own body.
 

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The fundraiser for a 30-day rehabilitation course for Yaroslav has been successfully closed. The required amount has been raised, and the need has already been covered.

We sincerely thank everyone who supported this fundraiser with donations, sharing the information, and kind words. Every contribution is real help and a step toward recovery. Special thanks to our partners from Canada for their support and trust.

Yaroslav’s rehabilitation is ongoing. His mother is constantly by his side, accompanying and supporting him on this difficult journey. At the moment, Yaroslav still needs assistance in everyday life, but every day he works to regain as much independence as possible.

We believe that new results, new victories, and important steps forward lie ahead. We will be sure to share them after the rehabilitation course is completed.

The rehabilitation course for Yaroslav were covered by your donations and with the support of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC).

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 120,000