Ukrainian soldier Yevhen received a bionic prosthetic arm

Ukrainian soldier Yevhen received a bionic prosthetic arm.

For Yevhen, a physical education teacher from Zaporizhzhia, February 24, 2022, marked the beginning of a new life. Hearing explosions, he realized it was time to act. Just two days later, on February 26, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

At first, Yevhen served as a rifleman, later as a grenadier, and eventually became an FPV drone pilot. During one of the combat missions, an enemy drone exploded nearby. The blast tore off his hand and severely injured his leg.

“I lost my left hand, my right arm was in question, and my left leg was badly damaged. But I survived. I’m grateful to the doctors who saved my life,” recalls Yevhen.

Despite the severe injury, he didn’t give up. After numerous surgeries and a long rehabilitation, he remained positive and focused on recovery.

“The most important thing is not to give up. I’ve seen guys who did, but you can’t. You must fight, listen to doctors, rehab specialists, prosthetists — and step by step, everything becomes possible,” he says.

Yevhen calls his recovery “a collaboration between muscles and the mind.” Now he continues rehabilitation at the Brave Step center, where he has learned to control his bionic prosthesis.

“It’s not easy, but when your brain and body start working together, every movement feels like a small victory,” he explains.

Thanks to the support of the Techiia Foundation, Yevhen received a modern bionic arm that allows him to perform daily tasks, train, and regain confidence.

Despite his injury, Yevhen dreams of returning to teaching — this time, to inspire children who have also experienced amputations or trauma.

“I want to work with kids who’ve lost limbs, to show them that everything is possible. Life doesn’t end after loss. My dream is to stay in education,” he shares.

Today, hundreds of Ukrainians face amputations due to the war — not only soldiers but also civilians injured in attacks on peaceful cities. The loss of a limb is not only a physical trauma but also a challenge for one’s mind and spirit.

That’s why it’s so important that organizations like ours do everything possible to help people return to life. This is more than assistance — it’s a chance to feel whole again. Some of those wounded return to service; others find new meaning, change professions, or make their dreams come true.

The story of Yevhen is another reminder that support, technology, and humanity have the power to restore not only the body but also the soul.