Circumstances of the Injury:

On the night of August 17–18, 2025, my comrades and I set out on a mission to rotate with soldiers on the front lines. During our movement, our vehicle was targeted by an enemy kamikaze drone (FPV), which struck our transport.

The impact was sudden: first came a massive explosion, everything turned bright white as the cumulative charge detonated. The driver tried to maneuver the vehicle, pressing the accelerator, but the main strike hit him directly. He was killed instantly, and the vehicle became uncontrollable.

We had to act immediately. To save our lives, we had no choice but to abandon the vehicle at high speed. Later, the surviving crew regrouped and began moving toward the nearest friendly position. All of us were concussed, injured, and disoriented. Our comrades, realizing what had happened, came to meet us, led us to shelter, notified the commander, and organized our evacuation.

We first received care at a stabilization point and were then transported to the hospital. That is how I sustained my injury.

The fear of losing a limb did not come immediately. At that moment, the priority was to get out of the danger zone as quickly as possible. All thoughts were focused on survival and reaching a safe area. Only while waiting for evacuation, when there was a chance to process what had happened, did I realize the extent of my injuries.

This war has taught me to value everything I have: my family, my comrades, and even ordinary things that no longer seem ordinary. Most importantly, it gave me a deep understanding of what it truly means to appreciate life.

Diagnosis:

Explosion-related trauma from August 21, 2025, including a closed comminuted fracture of the middle third of the left clavicle with displacement (AO 15.3B), pain syndrome, and impaired function of the left upper limb; gunshot-fragment injury to the frontal region with a linear fracture of the anterior wall of the frontal sinus; traumatic brain injury (TBI). Post-operative status: primary surgical treatment of the frontal wound on August 21, 2025. Acoustic trauma. Post-traumatic perforation of the left eardrum. Post-traumatic left-sided combined hearing loss.

Details of the injuries:

Explosion trauma (August 21, 2025):

• Comminuted fracture of the left clavicle (middle portion broken into multiple fragments with displacement), causing severe pain and limited movement of the left arm.

• Gunshot-fragment injury to the forehead, with a fragment lodged inside and damaging the bone forming the anterior wall of the frontal sinus (thin bone above the eyebrows).

• Traumatic brain injury (concussion and contusion).

Post-operative status (August 21, 2025):

• Surgical treatment of the frontal wound: cleaning and closure of the damaged tissue.

Additional injuries:

• Acoustic trauma – damage caused by the force of the explosion’s shockwave.

• Post-traumatic perforation of the left eardrum, causing hearing impairment.

• Left-sided combined hearing loss – reduced hearing in the left ear due to both mechanical and acoustic damage.

Clinical Decision:

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with a plate and screws.

ORIF with a plate and screws is a surgical procedure in which a broken bone is realigned and stabilized using a metal plate and screws.

Purpose of the procedure:

• To ensure the bone fragments heal in the correct position.

• To restore the bone’s natural shape.

• To help the limb regain normal function more quickly.

The bone was secured with a metal plate and screws so that it could heal properly and regain full functionality.