In November 2022, Valentyn Bondar from Poltava joined the army voluntarily. However, six months later, an enemy anti-tank missile and a serious injury interrupted the warrior's service.
This was told in the National Rehabilitation Center UNBROKEN Ukraine.
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It is noted that after mobilization Valentyn was appointed the main company driver of the 77th Separate Aeromobile Brigade. From November 2022 to May 2023 the man performed combat tasks. Until the day when his vehicle was hit by a Russian ATGM during one of the evacuations.
"That day Valentyn was transporting infantrymen from positions that were being actively attacked by the enemy. There were several evacuation light armored vehicles in the convoy, following the so-called "road of life". Valentyn drove first. The occupant hit his car with an anti-tank guided missile. The car caught on fire," said in the center.
The soldier managed to escape the burning vehicle on his own. After that he had fallen to the ground and rolled further away from the flames.
"I was blinded and deafened. Everything was orange in my eyes and red-hot metal was crackling in my ears. I could feel my body burning," Valentin recollects.
When he opened his eyes, he saw that his legs were crushed. Valentyn had to apply tourniquets on his own. Several surgeons tried to save the man's lower limbs, but they failed. The legs had to be amputated.
Six months after the amputation the defender was in rehabilitation. His burns were healing and he was preparing for prosthetics. Now Valentyn is on the final straight and will soon be discharged from the rehab center.
"I've been through hell. And got out for the sake of my girls. I have three of them: my wife Valentyna and two daughters - Milana and Anastasiia. So now I just want to be with my family," - said the warrior.
