04/02/2026
A tale of love and perseverance during wartime. His wife was informed that her husband had died, but deep down, she felt he was still alive.
Serhiy had been defending his homeland since the beginning of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO), and after his contract ended in 2021, he returned to civilian life. However, the war would not let him go. On the morning of February 24, he once again stood at the threshold of his military recruitment office alongside his comrades. As part of the 28th Mechanized Brigade, they defended Odesa and later the Kherson region. On August 29, 2022, during an offensive, Serhiy's unit came under heavy fire. While traveling with his comrades in a BMP-1, their vehicle was struck by enemy fire. Tragically, his comrades were killed, and the only survivor was the driver, who managed to transport Serhiy, who had sustained a severe head injury.
Viktoria was informed that her husband had died; they had tried to save him, but a miracle had not occurred. However, her beloved Serhiy felt differently. She called everywhere she could, desperately searching for him, and refused to lose hope. Three days later, a message arrived indicating that a seriously wounded man with a similar last name was in intensive care at one of Odesa's hospitals. It was indeed Serhiy, but he was in a coma and unresponsive. He had been brought in without any clothes or identification, and the medical team had operated on him immediately.
Victoria recalled, "When I approached him and began to speak, I touched his hand. He opened his eyes, tears started to flow, and the medical monitor showed brain activity that had not been present before. He recognized me."
The doctors did not believe that Serhiy would survive or understand anything, given the severe injury—part of his skull was missing, and shrapnel fragments remained in his head—but later Serhiy began to move his right hand, then started breathing and eating on his own. A month later, he gestured that he could hear, and with every word, his ability to speak returned. Due to his injuries, he had no feeling in his legs or his left arm. It was even difficult for him to sit.
Support Serhiy in the "Step Forward" fundraiser for six severely wounded veterans! Join by reposting, donating, or setting up a donation jar; to do so, message the "After Service" Foundation directly to the "After Service" Veterans Fund.
Link to donation details here: send.monobank.ua/jar/9FZnfGhUyq
