Soldier Anatolii, call sign VNUCHOK

I am Anatolii, call sign VNUCHOK. At the time of the full-scale invasion, I could not stand aside when the russian horde invaded our country. I realised that no one but us could stop this insidious enemy, therefore, on 26th February 2022, I voluntarily went to the military enlistment office and was mobilised into the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

 

On 9th June 2023, in the Luhansk region, on the outskirts of the village of Dibrova, during a combat mission, we came under mortar fire. The shelling started. I remember how everything turned upside down in my head. At first, I did not even understand what had happened. It took me 15 seconds to come to my senses. Even though I was conscious, my mind was foggy during that time. My fellow soldier Mykola rescued me and administered first aid, for which I am immensely grateful.

Later, it turned out that I sustained a severe concussion, and in addition, a shell fragment from a mine hit the plate of my body armour and damaged my spine. Despite being seriously injured, I didn’t panic, we were calm and level-headed.

My comrades evacuated me to the stabilisation centre in Lyman settlement, where I was examined, received professional medical care and was transferred to a hospital in Kramatorsk. Then surgeries in Dnipro and treatment in Kyiv followed.

Now I need a wheelchair to move around. I believe I will be able to walk again, and I am making every effort to get back on my feet. 

The doctors do not give clear prognoses yet, they say there is a 50/50 chance. They explain that there are no perfect methods of treating spinal cord injuries. It all depends on the severity of the injury and how well the body recovers.
I hope that everything will be fine. Recovery takes time. It's been a short time since my injury, less than 4 months. I feel significant improvements. But it is too early to talk about a full recovery.

 

TRANSFERRED for the Panthera s2 wheelchair: UAH 16,000

 


 

The process of recovery is ongoing, I continue to work out, and I am already seeing some progress. 

Now the rehabilitation period provided by the state is about to expire. However, I do not want to stop, I feel that I can achieve even greater results, consolidate my achievements and improve my health. To do this, I need another month of rehabilitation, during which I will undergo health procedures under the supervision of specialists and work out actively in the gym.

A month of rehabilitation at the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Centre of the National Committee for Sports for the Disabled of Ukraine costs UAH 90,000. This amount can be paid at the expense of charitable funds, so I am asking for help from the Citizen Charitable Foundation.

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 90,000 for rehabilitation

 

TOTAL COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 106 000

 

THE RECOVERY PROCESS IS ONGOING.

Anatolii already shows remarkable sports achievements and motivation. He was invited to join the Ukrainian National Paralympic Skiing and Biathlon Team, which is already preparing for the 2026 Paralympics.

To do this, Anatolii needs another 5 months of rehabilitation, during which he will undergo health procedures under the supervision of specialists and actively work out in the gym.

The cost of 5 months of rehabilitation at the Zakhidnyi Rehabilitation and Sports Centre of the National Committee for Sports for the disabled people of Ukraine makes UAH 435,000.00.

 

Anatolii Zhumik, call sign VNUCHOK, after a severe spinal injury, completed a 5-month rehabilitation course at the Zakhidnyi Rehabilitation and Sports Centre of the NKSIU.

At this centre, he went all the way from the onset of his injury to full awareness of himself and his future life as an active wheelchair user with the appropriate mastery of all the necessary skills to ensure a full and functional independent life and self-care.

In addition, Anatolii has fully transitioned from the rehabilitation process and integrated into professional cross-country skiing and biathlon in a sitting class in the Ukrainian Paralympic team.

 

We would like to thank the London Marathon 2024 team and our partner charity British-Ukrainian Aid organization for raising funds.

 

You can support other fundraisers for the wounded on the website of the Citizen Foundation - https://ctzn24.com/en/heroes 

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 435,000

 

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“I don’t stop, because I believe that even after the most severe injury, you can not only live — but reach athletic heights and represent Ukraine on the world stage,” — Anatolii Zhumik, callsign VNUCHOK.

Anatolii went through the hell of war. On June 10, 2023, near the village of Dibrova in Luhansk region, his unit came under heavy mortar fire. One of the fragments pierced the armor and damaged his spine. A long journey followed — through a stabilization center, hospitals, surgeries, and a grueling rehabilitation. He remained in a wheelchair — but never lost strength or purpose.

Today, he is an athlete of the Ukrainian national Paralympic team in cross-country skiing and biathlon. With the support of the Citizen Charity Foundation, he completed a 6-month rehabilitation course at the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center, and is now training professionally, preparing for the 2025 World Championship and the 2026 Paralympic Games.

But there is a problem: the racing sled (sit-ski) he currently uses is not suitable for international-level competition. It is unstable, too tall, heavy, and uncomfortable.

“I built this sled myself, but back then I didn’t realize how crucial it is to have properly fitted equipment. Now I’ve been offered a different one — lightweight, maneuverable, partially made of carbon and aluminum. It’s exactly the kind of sled I need to achieve top results and make it to the Paralympics,” says Anatolii.

What’s wrong with the current sled?

Due to design flaws, Tolik loses about 5 minutes per race — and at the level where a 10-second loss can knock you out of the top 10, every detail matters:

  • Falls — up to 2 minutes lost. The sled's instability often causes loss of balance on descents or turns.
  • Poor maneuverability — minus 30 seconds on winding sections of the course.
  • Entering turns — another 40–50 seconds lost, as he must reduce speed to avoid falling.
  • Downhill segments — up to 20 seconds lost due to the sled’s heaviness and difficult control.
  • Getting out of the track — 20 seconds. The sled’s design does not allow for quick exit at the shooting range.
  • Preparing for shooting (lying down) — 5 seconds lost.
  • Rising after shooting — another 10 seconds.

Such a sled cannot be obtained through government programs. The only option is to fund it independently or through charitable support.

Fundraising goal — 120,000 UAH to manufacture a custom professional sit-ski for Anatolii, a member of Ukraine’s national Paralympic team.

Anatolii is not just an athlete. He’s a warrior who gave everything to defend our country. And now, despite his injury, he’s fighting again — this time for the flag of Ukraine on the international stage.

Every donation is more than support.
It’s a chance for Ukraine to have its representative at the Paralympics.
It’s an opportunity to remind the world about the war in Ukraine — and its consequences.
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Thanks to Andrii Matsola, founder of the company Persha Pryvatna Brovarnia (First Private Brewery), we have fully covered the cost of producing a unique sled for veteran and Paralympian Anatolii Zhumik.

The bobsled is already ready and Tolik is actively training with it. Preparing for competitions. Without unnecessary words simply moving forward, every single day.

Thank you for this faith and support. For giving our defender the opportunity to race toward new sporting victories. And we sincerely believe: they will surely come.

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 101,180

TOTAL COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 642,180