Yaroslav Berezhnyi's Road to Recovery
Yaroslav Berezhnyi, a soldier who joined Ukraine's defense at the start of the full-scale invasion, sustained severe injuries in March 2024 near Klishchiivka in the Donetsk region. The trauma, caused by a mine explosion, affected approximately 30% of his body. Following the injury, he was treated in the burn unit of a Kyiv hospital before beginning a course of treatment in Norway around mid-April 2024. His case highlights the complex, international medical pathways now required for many severely wounded Ukrainian defenders.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
In Norway, Yaroslav underwent two skin grafts and an eye surgery. The procedures involved transplanting skin onto his hands, legs, and back. After completing his treatment in Norway, he returned to Ukraine to continue his rehabilitation. He is now working with various specialists and is actively engaged in his recovery process.
Yaroslav notes:
“I have resumed the rehabilitation that I need to undergo continuously. Different specialists are working with me and various procedures are being performed. This is yielding results—functionality is gradually improving. It will not be one hundred percent, but there is progress. My skin is also getting better, but it requires constant care.”
During his rehabilitation, the patient is experiencing:
- impaired sensitivity;
- rapid fatigue;
- problems with his index finger.
Alina, an occupational therapist at Hospital No. 2 in Bila Tserkva, stated that
“first and foremost, we are working on restoring fine motor skills. This is not easy: the patient has impaired sensitivity, he tires very quickly, and performing precise movements requires significant effort.”She emphasized that Yaroslav is actively adapting to new conditions, independently finding ways to perform everyday tasks despite his limitations.
Yaroslav now prepares his own meals and works with tools, including an angle grinder. He understands that the path to recovery is long but believes a positive outcome is worth the effort:
“I continue my recovery and understand that this path is long, but the result is worth it.”
Yaroslav Berezhnyi's rehabilitation is part of the 'Development of the Rehabilitation Assistance System' project, a flagship initiative of Ukraine's Ministry of Health. This project is a component of the National Strategy for creating a barrier-free space in Ukraine by 2030. The project is funded by Norway and Sweden under the initiative 'A Strong Civil Society of Ukraine - Driver of Reforms and Democracy'. This publication was prepared within the framework of the 'Civil Platform to Support a Barrier-Free Society in Ukraine' project with the support of the 'Askold and Dir' Foundation, administered by ISAR Ednannia.
This case is a vivid example of how Ukraine's rehabilitation system is striving to adapt to the needs of military personnel injured in the conflict. The project supporting Yaroslav's treatment promotes not only the restoration of physical functions but also the social reintegration of patients, a crucial step toward building a barrier-free environment in Ukraine. The support of international partners like Norway and Sweden further underscores the importance of cooperation in healthcare and social rehabilitation during wartime.