Soldier Serhii Kulinets

I am a major of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a combat veteran. From childhood I dreamed of becoming a serviceman. My father and grandfather were officers. It was their example that instilled in me a respect for military service, responsibility, and dedication to my country.

In 2019 I enrolled at the Petro Sahaidachnyi National Army Academy for officer leadership courses. In 2020 I received the initial officer rank of junior lieutenant and was assigned to a military unit as a mechanized platoon commander.

I connected my entire future with military service. But in 2021 my life changed.

Returning from an official business trip from Kyiv, I was involved in a road accident. The injuries sustained were so severe that doctors were forced to amputate both of my lower limbs: the right shin at the upper third level and the left thigh at the lower third level.

After this, a lengthy path of treatment and recovery began. I underwent treatment at a military hospital in Kyiv, rehabilitation in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and subsequently continued my recovery at a hospital in the city of Irpin.

I had to relearn how to move, use prostheses, and live under new circumstances. But even after the loss of both legs I did not leave the service.

In 2022 I returned to carrying out military duties at the Rivne Combined Arms Training Ground. In 2024 I was transferred to the Rivne OGTC and SP, and in July of that same year was sent on an official business trip to Donetsk Oblast to participate in measures to ensure the defense of Ukraine, the protection of the population, and the interests of the state against Russian aggression.

I served for as long as my health allowed. On June 1, 2026, I was discharged from the Armed Forces of Ukraine on health grounds in the military rank of major. I was awarded by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine the honorary badge “Silver Cross.”

Today I am beginning a new stage of life. But in order to remain independent, move around, study, and work, I need proper prosthetics.

I sustained the injury in 2021 as a result of a road accident. Although I was on an official business trip, the Military Medical Commission did not connect my injuries to the defense of the Homeland. Therefore, I cannot count on the threefold state funding.

According to the assessment of specialists, I have a mobility level of degree II. The prosthetics center agreed with me on the manufacture of prostheses in minimum configuration — without a foot, knee joint, and adapters. However, even with such a configuration, the amount provided by the state program is insufficient.

For the prosthetics of the right shin I need a prosthesis with a silicone liner. Its actual cost is 69,948.49 UAH, while the state covers only 39,446 UAH. The required additional payment is 30,502.49 UAH.

In addition, the prosthetists determined the need for two special liners: a liner with gel composition for the shin SPDT HD — its cost is 6,867 UAH, the state covers 5,697 UAH, the required additional payment is 1,170 UAH; a liner with silicone composition for the thigh I-763232 — its cost is 27,694.18 UAH, the state covers 10,522 UAH, the required additional payment is 17,172.18 UAH.

The total shortfall is 48,844.67 UAH.

These liners are not an additional comfort or a luxury. They are an important part of the prosthetic system. The liner is located between the stump and the prosthetic socket, protects the skin and soft tissues, reduces pressure and friction, helps to evenly distribute the load, and ensures reliable fixation of the prosthesis.

My first education is in law. In the future I plan to become a lawyer. I want to use my knowledge, military and life experience to help people who need legal protection. I strive to continue serving people and Ukraine — now in a different profession.

For this I need to be able to move confidently, work, and live independently.

 

COLLECTING: UAH 48,844