When the Russians attacked Chernihiv in March 2022, blocking the motorway out of the city, Yurii Vietkin was trapped.
Previously a major in the army before returning to civilian life, Yurii decided to come out of military retirement to join the resistance.
As part of the 1st Tank Brigade, Yurii was on the frontline of Chernihiv’s defence.
“We held the enemy, defending our city of Chernihiv,” Yurii, 58, says.
“On 5 March, during the clearing of enemy forces, our group came under mortar fire.
“My leg was torn off. One person was killed, another was wounded. I was saved by the guys.”
Yurii’s left leg was amputated in a military hospital – but he needed to leave Chernihiv for further treatment abroad.
Russian forces had encircled the city – and as Sky News cameras filmed – were bombing civilian escape routes.
Sky’s Alex Crawford and her crew shield as an escape corridor is bombed
Recalling the chaos she saw as Russian troops encircled the city, Sky’s Alex Crawford says: “Tens of thousands of Ukrainians were fleeing, talking of the ‘hell’ inside, telling us of lost relatives, of abandoning their homes and everything they owned.
“Chernihiv and all its residents stood in the way of the Russian advance on the capital – and we witnessed, at that point, a ruthless Russian military machine slowly bulldozing its way through.”
The only option left for Yurii was to escape across a river by boat.
“We went to our friends in Munich, where I received a prosthetic leg,” he says.
“Then I returned to my home town.”
Yurii, who is qualified as a psychologist, says he tried to adapt to his new conditions.
Yurii escapes Chernihiv by boat
“I understood that nothing else would change, that it would only be like this.
“I tried to help guys like me who were depressed because they had lost a limb. And that is why we began to create some veteran spaces and involve them in sports competitions.
“I think that the first thing a person should do after a serious injury is to restore their physical strength,” Yurii says.
But the big moment came when he was invited to take part in a musical performance.
“This helped me understand that it is possible to reach people through the stage, because it works differently as a form of rehabilitation,” he says.
This kickstarted a journey that has seen Yurii establish a theatre in Chernihiv dedicated to helping veterans.
Yurii performs on his prosthetic leg, and is among veterans who have toured stage shows across Europe.
“Why should I be ashamed that I have no limb? Putin should be ashamed of it,” he says.
“Others should not turn away. They should see that war is brutal, but we are standing.”
Yurii with his wife
Yurii with his wife
