Volodymyr Dominikin is a mobilized forester from the Rafalivske Forestry Management Unit, branch “Poliskyi Forest Office”. He first defended the country back in 2014, spending more than a year protecting key cities in Donbas. On the first day of the full-scale invasion, he voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine without hesitation.

He now serves in the 104th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade as a company commander of infantry. The brigade carries out combat missions in the Sumy region.

“My task is to organize the work of the infantrymen, stabilize the front line, and prevent the enemy from advancing deeper into our territory. We are the ones who go into battle first, who first look the enemy in the eye,” says Volodymyr.

But just over a week ago, the vehicle Volodymyr was driving with his comrades to the front line hit an enemy mine. As a result of the explosion, he lost part of his leg and suffered multiple shrapnel wounds. He is now in one of Kyiv’s military hospitals. Doctors are preparing him for prosthetics and performing surgeries to save his other leg. The state covers his medical treatment.

Volodymyr now needs human attention, care, and support more than ever. His sister and wife are constantly by his side. Recently, representatives of the Union of Soldier-Foresters of Ukraine visited him. The enterprise has already provided financial support, and the staff of the Polissya Forest Office, together with Latvian partners, are preparing to deliver a vehicle to his company to replace the one that was lost.

Despite his severe injuries, Volodymyr wants to continue serving in the Armed Forces. But if he is demobilized for health reasons, he says he will definitely return to work in the forest. We will keep in touch with him.

The state forest enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” is creating all conditions for wounded soldiers to return to work and feel comfortable in their jobs. Recently, a forest master from the Koriukivkske forestry district, Oleksii Ruban, who lost an eye and sustained a serious leg injury at the front, returned to work. https://tinyurl.com/25ytqjy6

For those who, due to severe injuries, cannot perform their previous duties, other positions are offered. For example, Andrii Sotnychenko from the Korostyske Forestry Management Unit was reassigned to the role of a fire watcher after demobilization. https://is.gd/Ni2Dr0

There are many such examples. After all, demobilized soldiers return not just to work, but to a family where they are awaited, valued, and supported.