Ukraine’s war against Russia has entered its third year, with no sign of a resolution in sight. The conflict has taken a heavy toll on the country, leaving thousands dead, tens of thousands missing or in captivity, and hundreds of thousands wounded.
Among these Wounded Ukrainian Soldiers who, despite suffering life-altering injuries, have chosen to return to the battlefield. For them, the war is not just about territorial defense—it is about duty, resilience, and proving that even after losing limbs, they can still contribute to their nation’s fight for survival.
Andrii Rubliuk is one such soldier. A member of Ukraine’s intelligence forces, he lost both arms and his left leg when an explosive device detonated beneath him. He remembers the immediate aftermath of the blast—the cold, the darkness, and the overwhelming fear that consumed him as he lay there, close to death.
When he regained consciousness, he was met with unimaginable pain and terrifying hallucinations. His life had changed forever, but even in the midst of suffering, he made a promise to himself—he would return to the battlefield. Two years later, Rubliuk is back in uniform, his body supported by prosthetics, his spirit unbroken.
The drive to return to war
The decision to return to active duty is not an easy one. Many Ukrainian brigades now have soldiers who have suffered amputations but still choose to fight.
Their motivation stems from a deep sense of responsibility—both to their country and to the comrades they left behind on the battlefield. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine has over 380,000 war-wounded soldiers, and among them are many who refuse to see their injuries as the end of their service.
For these soldiers, hospital beds and rehabilitation centers are places of despair. The thought of being away from their comrades, of not contributing to the war effort, is unbearable. Lying in a hospital is not how they want to spend their days when their country is under attack.
They know that every moment spent in recovery is another moment that the enemy advances. Even if they can no longer fight on the front lines in the traditional sense, they find other ways to serve—training new recruits, operating drones, gathering intelligence, or strategizing missions.
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Maksym Vysotskyi, another wounded soldier, stepped on a landmine while maneuvering through a rain-soaked battlefield. He remembers the explosion vividly—one moment he was walking, the next, he was looking at his exposed bone, his left leg gone.
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There was no time for mourning; he accepted his fate immediately. “Crying and worrying won’t bring it back,” he said. By May, he was back in uniform, describing his return as a homecoming. His new role involves commanding a team that operates drones loaded with explosives. Though he rarely goes on combat missions, his leadership and strategic skills make him an invaluable asset.
Overcoming physical and psychological challenges
The path to returning to service is fraught with challenges. Rehabilitation is not just about healing the body—it is also about rebuilding confidence, adapting to prosthetics, and learning new ways to function in a warzone.
Soldiers who return after amputation must undergo rigorous training to ensure they can handle their duties effectively. Some have had to relearn how to hold a weapon, how to operate machinery, or how to navigate terrain with prosthetic limbs.
Capt. Oleksandr Puzikov was once a combat medic. After losing his left arm in an attack, he called his wife to inform her of his injury. She thought he was joking.
The reality hit hard when she saw him in the ICU, and his first words to her were, “You won’t leave me, right?” She stayed by his side throughout his recovery, knowing he would return to the military when he was ready. Instead of continuing as a medic, Puzikov retrained as a military psychologist, using his own experiences to help soldiers cope with the emotional and mental burdens of war.
Even though he has adapted to his new role, his struggles are far from over. He suffers from phantom limb pain, an excruciating condition where he feels as though his missing hand is clenched in a fist.
The pain is so sharp that it feels like a knife cutting through his nerves. He hopes that another surgery will finally bring him relief, but until then, he continues his work, helping others navigate the psychological toll of battle.
Prosthetics are another significant challenge. While many amputees receive artificial limbs, not all of them are well-fitted or functional for their specific needs. Bureaucratic delays and a lack of high-quality prosthetics make the process even harder. Some soldiers choose to forego prosthetic arms altogether, as they find them impractical for the tasks they need to perform.
Life after war
For many of these soldiers, returning to service is not a long-term commitment. They fight because they feel they must, but they also dream of a future beyond the battlefield.
Oleksandr Zhalinskyi lost his right arm in an artillery strike and initially struggled with his new reality. He was the sole survivor in his unit after the attack, and despite his severe injury, he managed to walk toward the evacuation point, forcing himself to stay conscious with every step. Dark thoughts crept in, but he reminded himself of his five godchildren—he had to survive for them.
When he recovered, he was determined to return to duty. Though he had once been an infantry soldier, he transitioned to a new role as a navigator-driver. At first, he resented the change, longing for the front lines. But over time, he accepted his new position and found purpose in ensuring safe routes for evacuations and supply deliveries.
However, Zhalinskyi has no plans to stay in the military once the war ends. Before the invasion, he dreamed of opening a pub in his hometown. That dream still stands, though the name has changed—he now plans to call it “Amputated Conscience,” a reminder of the sacrifices made and the resilience required to move forward.
For those who have lost limbs, the war has taken more than just their physical abilities. It has forced them to redefine their sense of self, their purpose, and their future. Yet, they do not let their injuries define them.
They fight because they believe in their country’s sovereignty. They return to the battlefield not because they have to, but because they want to. And when the war ends, they hope to put down their weapons and rebuild their lives in a free Ukraine.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏