“For the first time I was afraid of death,” — National Guardsman Roman about the battles near Volnovakha, wounds and the desire to return to his brothers
The guard already gets out of bed on his own, can even take a few steps, though — on crutches. Master Sergeant Roman with the nickname Python recalls how a few months ago, he was threatened with amputation of his leg and doctors managed to save the limb. Now the fighter is in hospital and has undergone nine operations.
“After the injury, when he removed the berets, I saw that bones were sticking out of his right leg. Necrosis began on the leg - tissue death. At first, the doctors said to leave without a leg. After several operations, it became easier. The foot and heel were badly affected. Doctors collected the foot, and the heel was made of multi-bone fragments. I now have hospital cement on my leg, bone fragments are kept on it,” Roman says.
The guard received his injuries during the fighting for the village of Solodke in the Donetsk region. While performing a combat mission, Roman and his brothers came under enemy artillery fire. The shell fell five meters from the fighter. He received a severe shrapnel wound.
“The enemy helicopter hit our positions with two missiles. Then there was silence and enemy artillery began to work. A splinter immediately flew into my leg. I looked at myself and did not believe my eyes — only one leg was wounded, and the shell lay 5 meters away from me. I saw where this funnel was and started laughing until there was shock I didn't feel pain. He put on a tourniquet, fell on his chest and crawled to our trench. A medic ran there, threw me on his shoulder, an evacuation car just pulled up. Then out of my dozen there were 3 wounded,” Peyton recalls.
It was a 20 guard rotation. An experienced fighter in the Donbas has been fighting since the age of 14. He visited most of the combat zones, but until recently returned home without any injuries.
“For the first time I was afraid of death. Everything flew towards our positions: rockets, mortars, howitzers, hail, tanks. He knew that sooner or later our positions would be shattered. I stayed alive because the battle started on Palm Sunday. God saved us...” - ponders the fighter.
In the right leg of the guard there are still needles stuck. The limb is not fully functional and must be fixed by the device for at least one to two months, doctors say. Several more operations are planned ahead. However, Roman hopes that he can safely stand on both feet. After all, after recovery, he is going to return to his brothers in order to free his native land from the invaders.
For his bravery and bravery, Roman was awarded the badge “For Valorous Service”.
National Guard of Ukraine
