Soldier Valerii Chyrka, call sign is VELES
I am a junior sergeant, a combat medic of the 110th Territorial Defense Brigade.
At the beginning of March 2022, I voluntarily went to the military enlistment office. At that time, everything was very simple and clear to me: a large-scale war had begun, and I could not stand aside. I went to defend my family and my country — so that my loved ones could sleep peacefully.
I served as a combat medic. My task was to save my brothers-in-arms where every minute could be the last.
On September 27, 2024, in the Donetsk direction, we were carrying out a combat mission. There were three of us at the position. It was already the fourth day. Suddenly, a mortar attack began. One of my brothers-in-arms was killed. I was seriously wounded. I immediately lost consciousness. When I regained consciousness some time later, the first thing I did was take the radio and call for help. I reported that I was “300”.
They could not evacuate me for a long time. Enemy drones were constantly flying above the position, and it was almost impossible to approach. I kept losing and regaining consciousness. Eventually, my brothers-in-arms, risking their own lives, managed to reach me. They carried me on a stretcher and evacuated me to a safe area. On the way, I kept losing consciousness again and again.
My injuries were very severe: blast injury, traumatic brain injury, concussion, two open fractures of the right tibia with displacement, and multiple shrapnel wounds. First, I was treated in a hospital, and then evacuated to Dnipro, where surgeries on my head and legs were performed.
I did not inform my family right away. I did not want to scare them. Only on the fourth day did I call my daughter.
On October 2, 2024, she came to see me at the hospital. At that time, I was in intensive care and felt very unwell. On the same day, I was sent by evacuation train to Vinnytsia, where my treatment continued. The consequences of the injury turned out to be very severe. I am missing part of my frontal bone, and some fragments will remain in my body forever.
About 13 centimeters of bone are missing in my right leg. At first, this gap was filled with a cement spacer and an Ilizarov apparatus was installed.
I stayed in hospitals until December 2024.
After that, my daughter took me to Zaporizhzhia, where we continued treatment. I was admitted twice to the septic surgery department of City Hospital No. 9 because the apparatus began to suppurate. At that time, I was moving in a wheelchair, and all hospital visits, paperwork, and travel were handled by my daughter. Physically, I could not do it on my own.
In the summer of 2025, she took me to the head of the traumatology department of City Hospital No. 5 in Zaporizhzhia. After examinations, it became clear: I needed a customized titanium implant, manufactured specifically for my case. Thanks to the charitable foundation “Territory of Life,” this implant was produced for me. In August 2025, I underwent surgery and it was installed. I am sincerely grateful to the doctors, especially Yatsun Yevhen Volodymyrovych, who took on my complex case.
The implant has integrated well. I can already put weight on my leg.
However, during the course of treatment, my muscles have significantly atrophied, and every step is very difficult and painful. Currently, I move with two crutches.
My biggest dream now is to learn to walk again. At least with one cane.
For this, I need intensive specialized rehabilitation at the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center of the National Sports Committee for the Disabled of Ukraine, where specialists help severely wounded soldiers return to life. I cannot afford this rehabilitation on my own. Therefore, I am forced to ask for help.
I went to war as a volunteer because I wanted to protect my family and my country. Now I truly want to regain the ability to walk and live without constant pain.
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Thanks to your support, Valerii completed a rehabilitation course at the “Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center” of the NCSPI and has already achieved great results.
During the rehabilitation, important progress was made: improving the weight-bearing function of the lower limbs, walking independence, endurance, strength, and neuromuscular control. At the beginning of the course, Valerii moved with two forearm crutches, and completed rehabilitation with just one.
Among the results:
- the 6-minute walk distance increased from 140 to 245 meters;
- the “Timed Up and Go” test improved from 26.5 sec to 13.5 sec;
- walking speed and knee joint mobility improved significantly.
For some, these may just be numbers. But for Valerii — this is every more confident step toward returning to a full life. Rehabilitation at his place of residence will continue ahead, but today the most important thing can already be said: “Veles” does not stop and continues to move forward with confidence.
We sincerely thank everyone who supported this fundraiser! It is thanks to you that these results became possible.
COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 90,000
