A Marine's New Life: How Ukraine's Unbreakable Center Rebuilds After Limb Loss

Artem Kisielov's Journey to Recovery

According to Главком: Artem Kisielov, a 30-year-old marine from Mykolaiv, is undergoing rehabilitation at the Unbreakable Center in Lviv after losing both his arms in November 2025. He joined the military in August 2022, serving with the 503rd Independent Marine Battalion. His injuries were the result of a mine explosion during combat operations in the Donetsk region. The Unbreakable Center is a leading facility in Ukraine dedicated to the complex rehabilitation of wounded soldiers.

The Rehabilitation Process

During his recovery, Artem has learned to perform daily tasks using his feet and adapted tools. He can now read by holding books and turning pages with his feet. He also operates a smartphone by tapping the screen with his nose or his big toe. His mother-in-law gave him a specially designed pair of socks with individual toe compartments and a thumb hole, which has significantly improved his daily life.

A multidisciplinary team, including a psychotherapist and an occupational therapist, works with Artem. Occupational therapist Khrystyna Stetsko noted that during sessions, Artem learns new methods for completing everyday tasks using assistive devices and compensatory strategies. He demonstrates extraordinary motivation despite the immense challenges he faces.

'Right after the tourniquets were applied, I understood it would likely be an amputation because the evacuation route was difficult: long and on foot, under constant shelling.' Artem Kisielov

He also highlighted the aid he receives from assistive technology: 'I dictate messages, and it's really cool how it recognizes speech almost without errors. And what's great – it works in Ukrainian!'

The broader architecture of Ukraine's rehabilitation facilities requires modernization. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is already developing a corresponding program, which anticipates funding of approximately 8 billion hryvnias for upgrading rehabilitation centers across the country.

Artem plans to return to sports, ride a bicycle, and run a marathon. He emphasized: 'I fought for our country, for our honor, and the journey continues. The battlefield has just changed a bit, but it's no less difficult. And this is the challenge!'

Artem Kisielov's story underscores not only the personal courage and resilience of service members but also the critical importance of comprehensive rehabilitation programs for veterans who have sustained severe injuries. The adaptation of new technologies and an individualized treatment approach can substantially improve their quality of life. Modernizing the nation's rehabilitation infrastructure represents a vital next step in ensuring dignified conditions for military personnel transitioning back to civilian life.