**DONETSK REGION, Ukraine** — A Ukrainian soldier, Andrii Rubliuk, recalls the moment when an explosion changed his life forever, leaving him in a state of clinical death and resulting in the loss of both arms and his left leg. Struck by overwhelming coldness and darkness, he fought a battle not just against physical injuries but against the haunting fear that consumed him. Today, at 38, Rubliuk stands resilient, outfitted with prosthetics and attributing his will to return to combat to a sense of unyielding duty.
“I vowed to return to the battlefield,” Rubliuk emphasizes. “Fighting with arms and legs is something everyone can do, but tackling the challenge without them is what distinguishes the truly alive.” Despite the grim realities, many Ukrainian soldiers, like Rubliuk, who have lost limbs, continue to serve on active duty, embodying the fighting spirit of their country.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that around 380,000 individuals have been injured in the ongoing conflict, with nearly 46,000 military personnel confirmed dead after three years of war. As Russia relentlessly pursues small territorial gains, Ukraine grapples with not only a dire military situation but also significant diplomatic challenges, particularly as its vital ally, the U.S., engages in discussions with Russia, triggering fears of being overshadowed on the international stage.
Wounded soldiers have made the choice to return to the front lines while grappling with the emotional toll of leaving civilian life behind. In their eyes, remaining idle in a hospital pales compared to the sense of duty found in defending their nation alongside comrades. They share a common agreement that once the war concludes, they do not intend to remain in military uniform, as joining the army was not their primary ambition.
After undergoing extensive rehabilitation, Rubliuk rejoined the Artan intelligence unit last spring, bringing his expertise and experience back to the battlefield. “Every day contributes to my recovery,” he reflects, noting that his journey towards self-acceptance and healing is continuous.
One soldier who witnessed Rubliuk’s explosion vividly recalls believing he had perished when he was found. Following life-saving measures and extensive rehabilitation, including treatment in Philadelphia and Florida, Rubliuk has positioned himself back near the front lines, further emphasizing the value of experience in the ongoing conflict.
Similarly, Maksym Vysotskyi experienced his own transformation after stepping on a landmine in November 2023. Accepting his injury almost instantaneously, he returned to his unit by May, embracing the notion that he emerged stronger from the challenges faced. Vysotskyi now commands a team responsible for nighttime drone operations and emerges as a resilient figure amidst a difficult situation.
Capt. Oleksandr Puzikov, who faced the unimaginable when he severed his arm, was met with disbelief from his wife upon informing her of his injury. However, her unwavering support enabled him to adapt and provide assistance to fellow soldiers as a war psychologist after retraining. Despite battling phantom limb pain, Puzikov remains committed to aiding his comrades throughout their adversities.
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zhalinskyi opted not to use a prosthetic after he lost his arm during an artillery strike. In his current role as a navigator-driver, he focuses on ensuring the safety of evacuation missions. He recalls the horror of sustaining his injuries while attempting to stay conscious in his darkest moments, driven by thoughts of his five godchildren.
Zhalinskyi is determined to return to the fight and has aspirations for life beyond the military, dreaming of opening a pub in his hometown, which he humorously plans to name “Amputated Conscience,” reflecting his journey and the resilience he has displayed through hardship.
Amidst the devastation of war, these narratives reveal the unwavering spirit of wounded soldiers who refuse to let their experiences define them, emphasizing the importance of camaraderie, resilience, and hope for life after conflict.
