Medics Brave Rocket Attacks to Treat Soldiers Amid Ukraine War

In an operating room near the Zaporizhzhia frontline in Ukraine, the sound of an artillery shell disrupted the silence as a doctor prepared to administer an injection.

Despite the danger, the staff at this emergency medical treatment point for soldiers remain undeterred.

Denys, a 35-year-old surgeon, expressed their dedication, saying, “We don’t have time to think or doubt, we don’t have time to worry because this is our job, and we have to do it.” Denys had just finished suturing a soldier’s head wound while the blasts continued.

The medical facility, known as a stabilization point, has experienced close calls. In March, a Russian rocket landed a mere 10 meters from the entrance, shattering glass and brick onto makeshift operating tables. Just recently, another rocket damaged a section of a nearby school building.

Denys, who, like most staff, goes by a first name only, oversees the center. Similar stations are strategically located within reach of all Ukrainian frontlines.

The primary objective of the medics at this facility is to provide emergency first aid to casualties, ensuring their survival during transport to hospitals farther from the conflict zone. This task is expected to become even more crucial when Ukraine launches its anticipated counteroffensive.

Ukraine has kept wartime casualty figures under wraps, and the doctors declined to disclose the number of patients they treat or any changes over time.

The greatest threat to Ukrainian soldiers, like the serviceman with a freshly stitched head wound and blood specks on his forehead, is the artillery fire from Russia.

The soldier, thrown to the ground by the blast wave, would now be sent to a hospital for evaluation of possible brain injury.

Ihor, a doctor with 15 years of experience as an army medic, revealed that around 90 percent of the injuries he has treated since the full-scale invasion began in early 2022 were caused by artillery.

Despite his weariness, Ihor expressed readiness for the long haul, stating, “Most of those who were mobilized thought this would end quickly… but those of us who were in the army for a long time understood that this won’t just last a month or two but a long time.”

Handling multiple casualties simultaneously proves to be the toughest challenge, as it is impossible to treat everyone immediately, noted another doctor named Ihor.

“Understanding who needs immediate aid, who unfortunately cannot be helped anymore, and who can wait for aid—it’s hard to get used to these things.”

The stabilization point has received much of its equipment through private and NGO donations from both Ukraine and abroad.

The doctors take pride in a state-of-the-art Canadian machine valued at over $160,000. This machine can provide oxygen, offer artificial lung ventilation, and monitor patients.

Vitaliy, a 30-year-old anaesthesiologist, demonstrated the advanced equipment and mentioned that frontline doctors regularly provide feedback to the Canadian manufacturer, contributing to an assessment of its effectiveness in combat situations.