21-year-old defender Yurii Kifor from Kherson, who lost both legs while on duty, is now undergoing rehabilitation at the UNBROKEN centre in Lviv and preparing for prosthetics. The soldier is determined to return to an active life.
As a teenager, Yurii chose the military path: he studied at the Ivan Bohun Kyiv Military Lyceum, and in 2022 he entered the National Army Academy in Lviv. During his studies he met a girl whom he married at the end of his fourth year.
After graduating, Kifor was assigned to the 38th Separate Marine Brigade, where he became a platoon commander of anti-tank missile systems. On 20 June he was deployed to Donetsk region, and on 31 July near Dobropillia he stepped on a mine and sustained severe leg injuries. His comrades gave him first aid, applied tourniquets and helped him hold out until the medics arrived.
The wounded soldier was first taken to Dnipro, where doctors performed a double amputation of his lower limbs. On 23 September Yurii was transferred to the UNBROKEN centre in Lviv, where he is undergoing intensive rehabilitation.
At the centre, the defender does physical therapy every day: he strengthens his muscles, restores his physical fitness and prepares his body for future prosthetics, which he is very much looking forward to. He actively takes part in various activities for patients and also attends a creative workshop, where he works with clay.
“Even if you think you have never worked with clay and this activity is not for you, I strongly recommend giving it a try. In fact, it really helps with emotional recovery. And of course, you need to share your experiences with your loved ones, your genuine emotions. You need to talk it all through and work on yourself,” says Yurii.
The soldier’s greatest support is his wife. He also draws additional inspiration from mentors at the UNBROKEN centre – veterans who have already gone through the recovery process after combat injuries and now help others. In the future, Yurii is also considering becoming a mentor for wounded soldiers.
According to the defender, his main goal is to work again, to grow and to stay active, despite the loss of his legs.
The UNBROKEN centre in Lviv provides adults and children affected by Russian aggression with comprehensive free care: reconstructive surgery, orthopaedics and prosthetics, physical, psychological and psychosocial rehabilitation, and recovery under the supervision of specialists.