Andrii Klymchuk is a military man with extensive combat experience and a passion for cooking. When talking with the defender, you have the impression that you are talking to a good friend, he is so sincere and kind. And watching the smile with which he talks about his wife is priceless.
The soldier with the call sign "Sheriff" was born in the Kirovohrad region but on the eve of the full-scale invasion his family lived in Kryvyi Rih.
Andrii began his service in 2014, first in reconnaissance, then took part in the battles for Debaltseve and near Ilovaisk. In 2017, he returned to his unit for contract service. He served near Avdiivka and Opytne in the Donetsk region.
Сould you please tell us how you were injured?
It was 24 September 2023. We were located between Bohdanivka and Bakhmut, only 800 meters from the first firing line. Our task was to observe the enemy. Three days before, our position had been shattered, so we made a new dugout. In the morning, I came out of it to make a coffee and suddenly I was hit on the right side! I didn't even hear a single sound. All I saw was that my right arm was badly injured and reddened. I jumped into the dugout and told the men: "Give me a tourniquet!". They gave me an injection to relieve the pain.
I immediately radioed in that I was a heavy 300th. I gave my call sign and surname, and the commander told me to evacuate. I had to walk 3 km, and then the infantry fighting vehicle picked me up. The evacuation group took me to Chasovyi Yar, cut my jacket, and rewound my bleeding eye. Then an ambulance took me to Chervone, to the hospital. I don't remember anything after that. I came to my senses when the amputation was already done in Druzhkivka. I still had a liver that was cut by shrapnel. It wasn't an option for surgery, the nurse made a fuss because of that. Later, the operation was carried out..
"My condition was as if I had already died. I woke up several times in the hospital in Dnipro and saw my wife. And I was so afraid that she would not come, that she would not want to live with me as a disabled person. Perhaps it was her arrival that saved me."
What motivates you in your recovery?
My child. I promised her that I would return and everything would be fine! In 3-4 weeks I was walking on my own. Of course, I was hunched over, limping, because the stitches hurt a lot after the operation. It was hard to walk and breathe, but my wife and I even went out for pizza! My family supported me a lot during treatment and now!
Tell us, what were your expectations from prosthetics?
When I was in the rehabilitation center, I saw different prostheses. Mostly ordinary iron ones that can lift to 15 kg. However, my wife tells me that I can lift 15 kg with my left leg, so I need a more state-of-the-art prosthesis to cook. I have been cooking professionally since 2021 when I joined the infantry, I cooked for 100 people. In Bakhmut, when we were sitting in the basement, we refilled the cylinder and adapted to cooking. In Soledar, I got up at 4 am to clean the stove. I love to eat well and I love to cook! Most of all the borsch and pasta, I would eat day and night. I also make good pilaf. My comrades even advised me to open the cafe after the war.
Our infinite gratitude to everyone who helps Ukrainian military personnel receive high-quality prosthetics abroad! We sincerely thank the team of the clinic and the patron of the foundation Vadym Stolar, who supports our initiative!
