In Drohobych, a lift has been installed for serviceman Oleksandr Riabushenko, who lost both legs after being wounded, to provide access to his private house on Ivana Mykolaichuka Street. This has allowed him to leave his home independently again, as the steps at the entrance had previously been an insurmountable obstacle for him.
Oleksandr was wounded in 2023 while carrying out a combat mission in the Zaporizhzhia sector. After that, everyday activities became significantly more difficult, and he needed other people’s help every time he left the house.
This year, the serviceman applied to Drohobych City Council, asking to be provided with safe access to his home. As explained by the head of the Department for Social, Psychological and Legal Support and Interaction with Defenders, Mar’iana Bechkalo, the situation was complicated by the fact that it concerned a private house rather than a municipally owned property. Specialists had to find a lawful mechanism, carry out an inspection, determine a technical solution and prepare a full set of documents.
“It was necessary to find a legal mechanism, carry out an inspection, determine a technical solution, prepare the required documents and go through all the prescribed procedures. But it was important for us not to stop at the fact that it was difficult, but to find a lawful way to help. And today we can see the result — Oleksandr can leave his home safely and independently,” notes Mar’iana Bechkalo.
The technical side of the project’s implementation was coordinated by the Department of Municipal Services. Its director, Andrii Pautynka, stressed that it was crucial for the team to ensure that the equipment complied with safety standards and was convenient for everyday use. Several services were involved in the work and went through all the necessary procedures so that the lift could be operated safely.
In June 2026, Drohobych City Council decided to transfer the functions of the client, after which the municipal enterprise “Upravlinnia kapital’noho budivnytstva” (Capital Construction Directorate) carried out the installation work. The lift is now in operation, and Oleksandr is actively using it.
The serviceman thanked Mayor Taras Kuchma and everyone involved in implementing this decision, emphasising that the ability to leave his home independently restores his sense of normal life. For the Drohobych community, this project has become another practical step towards creating a barrier-free and inclusive environment for defenders and people with disabilities.