Hero Ukrainian soldiers wounded defending against Russia ’s brutal invasion desperately want to get back to the frontline and fight again, they declared yesterday.
At a secret hospital treating Ukraine ’s courageous troops we were told many of those shot and blown up in fighting to protect Ukraine’s main cities are keen to return to the bloody war.
In one firefight lasting over 12 hours one soldier revealed just 35
Ukrainian troops drove back a 300-strong Russian attack that came in three waves trying to reach Kyiv.
Machine gunner Artem, 29, wounded in his left shoulder blade during the brutal firefight against Russian soldiers said: “They came in three waves - it was really stupid of them.
“Each time they must have thought we were all dead but we were still fighting. So many Russian soldiers got shot that day and we drove them all back, wounded or killed them.
“I want to get better as soon as possible. I am a military man, this is my vocation and I want to get back to help defend my country.
“The war is being fought in Ukraine, on our land. They came to our place and did terrible things so of course I want to get to the frontline.”
Artem, from Dnipro, was wounded in week two of the invasion while carrying another stricken comrade out of the battle and he and his comrades fixed bayonets - preparing for hand-to-hand fighting.
They were patrolling from embattled town Bucha, north west of Kyiv to a town called Vorzel when they came across a large Russian force.
Artem said: “We were in a reconnaissance group of about 35 soldiers and we laid a trap, getting ready to attack them and then opened fire.
“They hadn’t even seen us and were in shock, they were obviously scared and stupid.
“They were not ready and they were not aware of where they were. I shot at least three of them, maybe many more.”
Artem explained that the initial Russian attack of 100 was followed up by two reserve forces of 100 each, which apparently believed the Ukrainians were all dead.
He was wounded by shrapnel when Russian commanders called tanks into the battle and a shell exploded into a wall nearby, killing a comrade and blasting a hole in his left shoulder and lung.
Out of his platoon of 35 men 25 were injured and four were killed in this one battle which ended in hand-to hand-fighting.
Artem says: "I was already wounded when the hand-to-hand fighting happened but we drove them back, for sure.”
Asked about Ukrainian claims 18,000 Russians have been killed in fighting he shrugged and said: “For sure, I believe it. They are not well-trained and we are. And I have seen them in battle.
"There is also another difference. We are not scared and our morale is high. We are going to win this.”
After life-saving surgery he was transported to the small hospital where we met Artem other soldiers wounded in the war, all keen to talk about their experience.
Artem proudly shows The Mirror video and pictures of his wedding two weeks ago to his long-term girlfriend Zoya, also 29.
He says: ”We decided to marry because of the war. We brought forward the wedding but it was a small one.
“I had already proposed to her and she had agreed but we brought it forward.”
It took days of negotiation to persuade Ukrainian hospital authorities to give The Mirror permission to talk to these courageous soldiers who have fought all over Ukraine.
Only after several meetings were we allowed to visit the hospital after agreeing not to locate it, for fear Russia would target it with an air-strike.
Another soldier, Vlad, 25, had a miracle escape in Mariupol three days after war broke out.
He was shot in the leg by Russian troops and left with a fist-sized hole in his thigh, while driving towards his own positions.
Now left with his right leg pinned into a brace he recalls: “I cannot believe I am alive to be honest.
“We were sent forward to blow up a bridge to stop the Russians crossing the river but they were already coming over the bridge.
“We hit two of their armoured vehicles but more came and it became dark.
“There were more vehicles and we were not sure if they were our until my commander saw the “Z” on the sides.
"We attacked these vehicles, hitting two but some broke through and they made an attempt to ambush.
“I was alone in a vehicle desperately trying to get back to Ukrainian lines when I heard gunshots and the feeling in my leg was like boiling water.
“The air bags exploded in the car and pushed me to the side, driving the car into a ditch.
“When I saw how big the wound in my leg was I thought I could bleed out in minutes.
“Plus I was shot in my hand and could only use three fingers to grab a tourniquet and get it on my leg.
“I was in such agony. I was lying on the steering wheel and texting my commander for help but he said they could not reach me as Russian spies were close to me.
“I could hear them.
“I lay there in that ditch for six hours and finally our troops rescued me, bundling me into an armoured car like a piece of meat.
“They had no time to be delicate as it was a very dangerous area.
“But I want to get better, for sure.
“It will take a long time for me to be able to walk again but I want to get back to the frontline with my brothers, of course.”
Vlad then reveals his wife Arina, 19, who is from stricken Mariupol and is still sheltering in a basement there.
He says: “I just hope she is alive. There are no phone connections there and I have not spoken to her in a week- she told me then she had food and water.”
Asked how many friends he has lost he said quietly: “A lot.”
Another soldier Bohdan, 30, was shot in the right leg in his calf and his left foot lies in bed in a room of several recovering military men.
He fought in Mariupol and was shot on March 10 but will walk again with therapy.
Although in pain he beamed a smile when asked if he will fight again.
“Yes I want that very much.
“This is my ground, my territory. It belongs to every Ukrainian it’s our life.
“Also I want to be back fighting alongside my comrades.
“I lost so many of them. So many friends.”
