Five Ukrainians Medically Evacuated from Temporarily Occupied Areas, Including Injured Couple

Medical Evacuation from Temporarily Occupied Ukrainian Territories

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Five Ukrainian citizens were urgently evacuated from temporarily occupied regions due to critical health conditions. Among them was a couple severely injured on September 11 when their vehicle struck a landmine, resulting in multiple wounds and shrapnel injuries. They were unable to access medical care for 12 days and were finally evacuated on September 23.

Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, explained that this evacuation was conducted as a separate operation from the humanitarian mission based in Oleshky. The husband lost his eyesight and suffered extensive shrapnel wounds, while his wife required an urgent skin graft surgery complicated by diabetes. Their son requested help after they remained trapped at home without medical assistance amid ongoing occupation and constant danger.

“Today, five Ukrainian citizens were successfully transferred to government-controlled territory from temporarily occupied areas. Due to their severe health conditions and limited mobility, they required external assistance during the relocation process.”

Dmytro Lubinets

Lubinets highlighted that an ambulance team they summoned could not reach them due to the volatile security situation. "There was practically no support from neighbors since the village had been largely abandoned." The route to the nearby city of Hola Prystan passed dangerously close to active combat zones. He emphasized that the couple endured 12 days without proper medical treatment while injured and living under occupation and constant threat, until their evacuation on September 23.

He further noted that evacuating individuals with serious injuries and limited mobility is an extremely challenging task requiring careful planning and close coordination. "Each transfer must account for the person’s health status, the need for medical escort, and ongoing treatment," Lubinets added.

Challenges of Evacuation and Access to Medical Care

This case sheds light on the hardships faced by residents of temporarily occupied territories as well as the obstacles encountered by medical personnel and humanitarian organizations trying to provide aid. Successfully evacuating wounded individuals in such conditions demands not only medical expertise but also precise coordination with military and humanitarian agencies to ensure a safe and efficient process. It also underscores the critical issue of medical access for civilians trapped in conflict zones.

In light of the ongoing challenges faced by those in occupied territories, it's important to note that additional evacuations have recently taken place. Eleven more Ukrainians were successfully relocated via the Mokrani–Domanove crossing, receiving essential support upon their arrival. This highlights the critical need for continued humanitarian efforts in these regions, especially for individuals in dire health conditions.