Oleksii Gushchyn
Grenadier, National Guard of Ukraine
A determined father and defender of Ukraine's freedom, overcoming adversity with the strength to protect his family and homeland
Oleksii's Journey and Military Service
From Heroic Service to Courageous Recovery
BACKGROUND & MOTIVATION
Oleksii Hushchyn was born in Mykolaiv and worked as a professional sailor before returning to Ukraine just one day before the full-scale invasion in 2022. At that time, his wife was nine months pregnant with their son, who was born at the end of March, named Oleksa after his father. Feeling the weight of responsibility to protect his family and homeland, Oleksii made the difficult decision to enlist in the National Guard. Despite having no military experience, his determination and love for his country drove him to step forward and serve.
CHALLENGES & TRIALS
Oleksii joined the National Guard as a grenadier and quickly found himself in the heart of combat, fiercely defending Ukraine’s freedom. In March 2023, while stationed near Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia, he was severely wounded during an enemy drone attack, suffering a major leg injury. Despite the severity of his wounds, Oleksii’s dedication to his mission never faltered. His resilience and unwavering determination to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty remained strong, even in the face of significant personal sacrifice, danger, and the immense challenges of recovery.
What is your main motivation?
"My main motivation was my young child. I had to protect my home, my land and my family."
Oleksii Hushchyn
Walk Towards the Future: Oleksii's Recovery Process
After the injury, Oleksii underwent a harrowing six-hour evacuation, which ultimately led to the amputation of his right leg due to tourniquet syndrome. He was then sent to Lviv’s UNBROKEN Center for rehabilitation and prosthetics, where he began his recovery. Despite the significant challenges, Oleksii remained determined to regain his strength and walk again. His progress has been remarkable—just a week after receiving his prosthesis, he was able to walk 400 meters with crutches. His specialists have been impressed by the speed of his recovery, and his determination continues to drive him forward.
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