Yasny veteran recounts wounding and return to civilian life

Before the war, Vitaly Savchenko from Yasny worked as an electrician and loved his profession. But in autumn 2023 he decided to sign a contract and go to the combat zone. There Vitaly was wounded, after which he was discharged from service on health grounds. In an interview, the veteran spoke about the front line and life after it.

— I decided to repay my debt to the motherland, since I had never served in the army. So I went as a volunteer and became a private assault trooper.

— Three months. Until I was wounded.

— I can, of course — you don«t forget something like that. We were driving to storm a factory, carrying out a diversion, going first in the column. And we were hit by an anti-tank guided missile. Almost everyone was wounded, the serious cases being me and the gunner. From seven in the morning until six in the evening we fought off mortars and drones, and I was practically immobile. Then everything went quiet. I understand other groups got through and drew the attention onto themselves. The lads came running for us and evacuated us on stretchers. That is how I ended up in hospital — first in Donetsk, then in Moscow. After that I was sent for rehabilitation to Ulan-Ude. My whole right side was damaged by shrapnel and bullet wounds, and I was concussed. But everything is still in place.

— There is one more operation ahead, so I plan to keep restoring my health.

— Not yet, but they are waiting for me at the local factory as an electrician. All my documents were damaged then, I have no military ID, and I was discharged remotely. I am waiting for everything to be restored so I can start working officially.

— I go for walks, talk with friends, family and those close to me. I have a daughter, Kira, she is 16 and studying. I applied to the Defenders of the Fatherland fund to establish my status as a combat veteran and receive payments, and I was also sent for a medical check-up.

— I wouldn«t say it was very difficult. I wasn»t there for long — three months in all. It seems I saw the front line, and yet it seems I didn«t. And on the whole I am a morally strong person.

— The feeling of home. I came back, everything is fine, quiet and calm.

— Of course I am. The main thing is to get the good job I have found for myself. In my own profession. And then, perhaps, I will manage to start a family. I am just single for now.

— No, you know, nothing much has changed. I am what I was. Perhaps some irritability has appeared. Nerves are not made of iron after the front line, after all. But I have also become less afraid of things, and I take life more seriously.