Severely Wounded Near Bakhmut, This Police Officer Is Still Saving His Comrades

After a Serious Wound, ‘Kavun’ Stayed in the Fight: The Story of a Defender Who Refused to Quit

According to МВС: Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, Valentyn Arbuz - known by his callsign “Kavun” - worked as a police officer in the Mykolaiv region. In 2022 he chose to join the Tavr battalion and carried out combat missions near Bakhmut. During one operation, Arbuz was badly wounded. Even so, he did not leave the service, showing the same grit that defines his battlefield reputation.

Still Serving After Injury

Today, Valentyn Arbuz serves in the Shield of Life medical unit within the Liut assault brigade of Ukraine’s National Police, where he coordinates specialized evacuation operations. He explains his guiding principle simply: “I set a goal and go after it. My personal slogan is: ‘Kavun never gives up.’” That phrase has become a symbol of his refusal to break, even under the harshest conditions.

His story underscores not only individual bravery and endurance, but also how critical support and rehabilitation are for service members recovering from serious wounds. It offers a powerful example to other soldiers dealing with the hardships of war. Stories like this show that having a goal and believing in yourself can carry you through even the darkest moments - a valuable reminder for anyone following Ukraine’s fight.