A Ukrainian soldier who lost his leg in a drone attack has described his ordeal as he receives treatment at a specialist centre supported by British medics. Vladislav, 31, was a lawyer before Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. On 21 August, a fibre optic drone struck the buggy he was riding in near Lyman, severing his left leg. He survived by applying a tourniquet, but only after checking he was not injured elsewhere. “I checked my crotch, if everything’s in the right place,” he said.
Dozens of seriously wounded Ukrainians come to the centre each month. A small team of British military doctors, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, part of the UK's defence medical services' Project Renovator, provide support and advice to their Ukrainian counterparts. The Guardian observed a session where British practitioners discussed temporary prosthetics with local staff. “The numbers here are truly humbling,” said Mike, a British rehabilitation consultant and army lieutenant colonel, who asked to be identified only by his first name for security reasons.
Mike, who served in Afghanistan, said the UK team could “help move their patients on to new legs quicker” through complex amputee rehabilitation. He also praised Ukrainian innovation: “They are managing to fix nerve injuries faster than I’ve previously seen” using surgery and electrical stimulation. Defence Secretary John Healey said he was proud the UK was “stepping up to ensure wounded Ukrainian soldiers get the best possible treatment”.
The centre offers classes and family visits, with “psychologically aware clinicians” to spot mental health problems. Volleyball and group activities help motivate recovery. Vladislav expects to receive his final prosthetic leg and be discharged early this year. He admitted crying when alone but now feels strong: “It was like a divorce until I eventually found myself.”
