When an explosion severed Andrii Rubliuk's arms and leg in 2022, the Ukrainian intelligence officer faced a choice: retreat or redefine military resilience. Fighting without limbs isn't a limitation – it's proof we cannot be broken, says the 38-year-old, now operating drones near frontlines with prosthetic limbs. His story mirrors a growing force within Ukraine's military – amputee warriors returning to duty despite catastrophic injuries.
Over 380,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been wounded since Russia's invasion began, with President Zelenskyy confirming 46,000 combat deaths. As frontlines stagnate under Russia's artillery dominance, veterans like Rubliuk deploy hard-won expertise:
- Maksym Vysotskyi (42) commands explosive drone units after losing a leg to a landmine
- Oleksandr Puzikov (40) retrained as a battlefield psychologist following arm amputation
- Oleksandr Zhalinskyi (34) navigates evacuation routes with one arm
You need to come back as someone they tried to break but couldn't,Vysotskyi told AP. We step away only when we decide.
Medical teams report unprecedented rehab demands. Dr. Anton Yakovenko, who treated Rubliuk's clinical death injuries, notes: These soldiers fight through phantom pain, prosthetic limitations, and bureaucracy delaying artificial limbs. Yet frontline brigades increasingly rely on their strategic value – Rubliuk's Artan unit credits amputees with 63% successful drone interceptions last month.
The human cost manifests brutally. Zhalinskyi describes post-amputation duties: Evaluating evacuation routes reminds me daily – I'm the only survivor from my unit. Wives like Iryna Puzikova voice quiet resilience: When Sasha said he'd return, I knew arguing was pointless. Ukraine needs every fighter.
As U.S.-Russia negotiations spark abandonment fears, these soldiers personify Ukraine's defiant calculus: Every recovered veteran offsets dwindling Western ammunition supplies. Their post-war dreams – pubs named Amputated Conscience,fishing trips with hook prosthetics – wait indefinitely. For now, metal limbs grip weapons, not fishing rods.
