“We wish you never to experience the same thing”: the poignant testimony of these Ukrainian soldiers seriously injured and neat in Brest

“There would be books to write about the story of each of these soldiers,” says Christophe Galès, co-president of the Iroise-Ukraine association. Therefore, Those of Kostiiantyn and Oleksandr certainly deserve it. Moreover, On the occasion of the Independence Festival. For example, celebrated Place de la Liberté this Saturday, August 23, 2025, these two Ukrainian fighters, seriously injured during the war against Russia, delivered their testimonies in Brest, where they are treated at the Army Instruction Hospital (HIA).

“Doctors did not think he would get away alive” – "we wish you never experience

The first keeps traces of scars that run. Therefore, along the face on the sides. Moreover, “I was part of the fourth armored brigade,” said this former rail engineer, who left for war in 2022. However, In January 2023, he was hit by a Russian artillery shot in Soledar, north of Bakhmout, where he also fought. Moreover, Seriously injured in the face. Moreover, arms and especially in the legs, he is first brought back by his brothers in arms back from the front in a stabilization point. In addition, “I was then sent to Kramatorsk then to the large Dnipro military hospital by helicopter before being transferred to Lviv. Nevertheless, in the west of the country,” lists this 34 -year -old father.

“At the beginning. given the extent of his injuries, the doctors did not think that he would get out alive,” Svitlana Jestin, the other co-president of Iroise-Ukraine, who ensures the translation. But his condition stabilizes. The Brest Hia who was able to consult his file considered being able to take care of the soldier. After eight months of antibiotic therapy. bone transplants, Kostiiantyn, who practically did not leave the hospital all this time, “we wish you never experience offers his second outing. The first being to go to the sea.

Injured by an explosive dropped with a drone

Based on crutches. the 34 -year -old soldier has already lost a leg, replaced by a prosthesis, but hopes to recover the use of the second. “I prefer to die that the other is cut to me. ” says the one who hopes to return to Ukraine as quickly as possible to his wife and two daughters but must wait for the end of the “we wish you never experience care program.

Standing by his side, all dressed in black, Oleksandr was also treated in Brest. Long sleeves despite the heat, he goes up to let in turn reveal impressive injuries to the arms. Member of the 425th infantry brigade. he was seriously injured by an explosive dumped by an FPV drone in Totretsk in 2024. The 38 -year -old man remained extended sixty hours before the Ukrainian soldiers could help him. Like his companion, he went through Lviv “we wish you never experience before arriving in Brest. “Thank you to France. thank you to the doctors, thank you to everyone for the support and not to give up,” he said at the microphone in front of the 150 people gathered, Place de la Liberté, this Saturday.

“There is no other way than that of victory”

“We wish you never to experience the same thing. ” adds Kostiiantyn who remembers, when the war broke out, having run with his children and his wife to take shelter when the bombing struck at 4 a.m. “There has been a tragic and horrible war that Europe has not known since 1945. But I am optimistic: there is no other way than that of victory for Ukraine. ” he concluded, exhorting France and Europe to accentuate their support for its country.

“Ukraine is strong: we will win. either by fighting or with diplomacy,” he said, while the numerous blue and yellow flags were and resounded the “Ukraini slavi”.