“Between Minutes and Eternity”: How a Stabilization Point Functions in War

Published: July 9, 2026

Our team visited a stabilization point near the front line — less than 20 kilometers from active combat zones. This is where wounded soldiers are brought after evacuation, and where medics work in a reality where only minutes often stand between life and death. We spoke with a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and the medical team working there every day about what a stabilization point really looks like from the inside, why time remains the greatest challenge of this war, how telemedicine is saving lives under fire, and what the phrase “the golden hour” truly means on the modern battlefield.

Time That Does Not Exist: Evacuation and the Limits of Medicine

A stabilization point in war is not a hospital in the usual sense, nor simply an intermediate link between the battlefield and a hospital. It is a place where medicine functions under conditions in which time has already been lost — or nearly lost — and decisions must be made faster than normal human psychology allows. It is here that a wounded soldier who has been evacuated from the battlefield first reaches a team capable not only of stopping critical bleeding or relieving pain, but of stabilizing the patient enough to survive the next stage — transport, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation.

Anesthesiologist Dmytro, who works at a stabilization point, speaks about his work without romanticizing it. There is no pathos in his words, although the reality he describes is stronger than any pathos. What troubles him most is not the complexity of injuries or the exhaustion of the team, but the fact that sometimes wounded soldiers cannot be evacuated from the battlefield in time. “The thing that upsets me the most is the inability to evacuate a wounded person from the battlefield in time,” he explains. “We know the person is wounded, we are ready, we have the conditions necessary to provide care, but sometimes evacuation from the battlefield either takes a very long time or does not happen at all.”

Military medicine often speaks about the “golden hour” — the critical period after injury during which the chance of survival is highest. But in this war, especially on certain sections of the front line, that formula does not always work. The doctor describes it almost bitterly: “As they say — the golden hour. For us, it’s a golden week.” There were cases when wounded soldiers remained in positions for too long, while medics could support them only remotely: dropping antibiotics by drone, consulting on what medications to administer, how to dilute them, what to do until evacuation became possible.

This is where one of the key realities of modern frontline medicine becomes visible: the problem is not always the absence of specialists, medications, or skills. Very often, the problem is that between the wounded soldier and the doctor lies the battlefield itself — drones, artillery, destroyed roads, weather, the absence of safe evacuation routes, and constant danger for evacuation teams. That is why a stabilization point works not only with the wounded body, but also with the consequences of delays that medicine itself cannot control.

Under these conditions, telemedicine stops being a modern buzzword from presentations and becomes a practical survival tool. Doctors consult combat medics and soldiers remotely, sometimes effectively directing care in real time. “We called and explained what to do: how to bandage, where to apply pressure, where to pack the wound,” recalls surgeon Yevhen. In one case, according to him, remote guidance made it possible to remove tourniquets, control bleeding, and save a limb. This does not replace evacuation and does not eliminate the need for surgery, but sometimes such remote support gives a person a chance to survive until help arrives.

Working at the Edge: Stabilization, Decisions, and Responsibility

When the wounded finally arrive at the stabilization point, the team must act quickly, but not mechanically. Stabilization is not a chaotic set of actions, nor an automatic process of “stitching someone up and sending them onward.” It is a complex process in which every step depends on the patient’s condition: whether the person is in shock, hypothermic, suffering from massive blood loss, whether blood pressure is stable, whether the body can tolerate intervention. “A soldier arrives soaked, cold, without pain management. He has to be undressed, laid down, dried off, warmed up, provided with anesthesiology support, stabilized in terms of blood pressure and other indicators. Only then can the surgical team work safely,” explains surgeon Yevhen.

That is why the amount of time spent at a stabilization point cannot fit into a single chart. If the patient is relatively stable, treatment may take 15–20 minutes. If the condition is severe, doctors may work for two or three hours. To civilians, that may sound like a long time, but for frontline medicine it is sometimes the only opportunity not to lose the patient before reaching the hospital. “Medicine is not always two plus two,” says the surgeon. “Everything depends on the patient’s condition, the extent of the injury, the amount of care required, and the stabilization measures needed.”

A particularly difficult topic is amputations and severe limb injuries. According to the doctor, stabilization points are not places for “planned” amputations in the hospital sense. If a limb is nonviable, the team does not attempt to make a final decision in conditions where not all capabilities are available. Their task is to stabilize the patient, avoid worsening the condition, preserve whatever may matter for future surgical work and prosthetics, and transfer the patient to the next level of care. “The hospital shapes the residual limb in a way that is more adapted for prosthetics,” explains Yevhen. “If we see that the limb is nonviable, we do not remove the tourniquet, we perform surgical debridement, stabilize the patient, and prepare them for transport.”

This is important to understand: a stabilization point is not a place of “final treatment.” It is a place where a wounded person must be moved from a state of catastrophe into a condition in which transport becomes possible. The patient’s story is not completed there — they are given a chance for it to continue. In this sense, the anesthesiologist’s role is one of the central ones: not simply “administering anesthesia,” but guiding the patient through the most dangerous interval — between uncontrolled post-traumatic condition and the possibility of surgical intervention.

War constantly destroys any sterile image of medicine. Patients may arrive on ATVs, improvised stretchers, covered in mud, soaked, freezing, after prolonged periods in frontline positions. The doctor recalls cases when a wounded soldier essentially “flew into” the stabilization point in a condition where only the eyes were visible, while everything else — mud, clothing, blood, exhaustion — blended together. The team cuts away clothing, pulls the person out, evaluates the condition, and starts working. This is the daily reality in which stabilization points exist: not under ideal protocols, but under the conditions of war, where every case brings a different scenario.

Impact and Systemic Change: From Experience to Standards

Despite this, medics speak not only about survival, but also about development. One of the recurring requests in these conversations is for more opportunities for training, professional exchange, conferences, workshops, and courses. This is not a “bonus” or abstract self-education. For people who work every day with the harshest consequences of war, development means better decisions, fewer mistakes, faster responses, and a greater chance of survival for patients. The conversation directly mentions the need for funding conferences, courses, visiting workshops, and exchanges with specialists.

Already in Ukraine, several educational initiatives are being launched or discussed: the ASET course, the future implementation of ATLS, work related to infection control, and educational initiatives connected to Razom Health. It is separately emphasized that infections in hospitals have become such a serious problem that they require an entire direction of work on their own. This is another indication that frontline medicine does not end at stabilization. A wounded person moves through a long chain, and the quality of every stage affects the outcome: from first aid at the position to evacuation, stabilization points, hospitals, infection control, rehabilitation, and return to life.

In this context, the Razom Heroes program plays a key role, working not with isolated cases but with the system as a whole. This includes the training of combat medics and instructors, equipping units, developing educational programs, and creating conditions in which frontline experience does not remain at the level of isolated stories, but is transformed into standards. It is through programs like these that a connection is formed between the reality of stabilization points and long-term systemic change: implementation of training courses, development of telemedicine, support for instructor programs, systematization of knowledge, and transfer of that knowledge to other units.

A stabilization point is a place where medicine looks least like a beautiful story and most like a struggle against time. Not everyone can always be saved there. It is not always possible to do what the doctor knows and is capable of doing, because sometimes the patient simply cannot arrive in time. Here, the “golden hour” can turn into days of waiting, while telemedicine becomes a temporary bridge between the battlefield and the physician. But it is here that the most important thing becomes visible: Ukrainian military medicine is not simply reacting to war — it is learning, adapting, creating new practices, and trying to turn the experience of every injury into knowledge that will help save the next patient.

And perhaps the most accurate way to describe the work of a stabilization point is not through heroic language, but in very practical terms: it is a place where people are given a chance to reach the next opportunity. To the hospital. To surgery. To a prosthetic. To rehabilitation. To life after injury.

That is why the main question for this system is not only how many medics work at stabilization points or what equipment they have. The main question is how to ensure that wounded soldiers reach them sooner, how to give doctors more time, how to make telemedicine systematic, how to make training continuous, and how to ensure that frontline experience is not lost in isolated stories, but transformed into standards.

Because in war, medicine often begins not when the patient reaches the operating table. It begins much earlier — at the moment when someone manages to bring them out alive.

Razom and partners launch the first-of-its-kind initiative in Ukraine to address drug-resistant infections in trauma care

Published: July 8, 2026

Razom for Ukraine, a leading U.S.-based nonprofit organization focusing on Ukraine, has officially launched Infection Prevention project TDAC (Trauma Decontamination and Antimicrobial Resistance Containment) — a first-of-its-kind initiative in Ukraine focused on reducing the spread of drug-resistant bacteria that can no longer be treated with standard antibiotics (multidrug-resistant organisms, or MDROs). The goal is to improve outcomes for wounded patients and reduce severe, life-threatening infection complications.

The project is implemented in partnership with the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, with advocacy from frontline clinicians involved in pre-hospital care. It targets a critical gap in the route from the frontline to the hospital — preventing bacteria from spreading during handoffs between care teams before a patient ever reaches a hospital ward.

Why this matters for Ukraine and beyond

Wounded patients rarely go directly to a hospital. Along the way, they pass through multiple points of care — and each transfer can increase exposure to drug-resistant bacteria. These infections can severely complicate recovery and become life-threatening.

The scale of this risk is compounded by the length of Ukraine’s evacuation chains. Infection risk rises significantly at the end of a prolonged trauma evacuation pathway, with considerable regional variation, according to research by Hailie Uren published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2025). The longer a wounded patient remains in transit, the greater the opportunity for infection to take hold.

This is no longer solely a Ukrainian health challenge. As wounded patients are evacuated to hospitals across Europe for specialized care, drug-resistant bacteria travel with them — placing pressure on health systems far beyond the frontline. European hospitals are already encountering these infections among war-wounded patients, making early intervention an urgent international priority.

“Antimicrobial resistance could cost as many lives as cancer by 2050, according to the UK Government’s Review. Resistant bacteria do not stop at the Ukrainian border. It is an early warning for every health system worldwide. That is why launching the Infection Prevention Project is so important,” said Dan Solchanyk, Razom Health Program Director .

How it works

Ukrainian scientists and clinicians, led by Hailie Uren, are working alongside clinical partners to investigate where and how drug-resistant bacteria enter the evacuation chain. Based on this work, Ukraine will introduce standardized practices focused on early decontamination and stopping bacteria from spreading between handoffs.

The project unfolds in three stages. The team is currently screening war-wounded patients across the evacuation chain — from casualty collection points through forward surgical units (Role 2) and hospitals (Role 3) — mapping where bacterial contamination occurs. Later in 2026, those findings will guide the creation of dedicated decontamination units to stop bacteria from entering clinical environments. By 2027, the full programme will be rolled out based on the evidence gathered.

“With a high proportion of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) not responsive to last-line antibiotics among war-wounded patients, early intervention through this project is critical to preventing infection before patients reach a hospital,” said Hailie Uren, Project Lead and Principal Investigator from Razom and UPHC.

The approach is grounded in U.S. military medicine and informed by expert consultation, adapted to prolonged evacuation chains and wartime conditions in Ukraine.

Stopping infections early reduces the need to prescribe antibiotics without knowing which bacteria are present (broad-spectrum empirical use) — helping slow the development of antimicrobial resistance and protecting the wider health system.

For more information, please contact anna.hryniv@razomforukraine.org

From World Wars to Wartime Today: How Ukrainian Scouting Is Protecting the Spirit of Youth in Odesa

Published: June 25, 2026

On a warm, sunny May afternoon, a scenic lakeside in Odesa dotted with tents hummed with the sound of children’s laughter and play. Standing on the banks downstream from their campsite, a row of young Vikings saluted their group oath in unwavering solidarity, “Brothers, the time has come for us to rise, to take up and carry the ideals of Plast. Glory to Ukraine!”

The bright patches of their uniforms, each hard-won through successfully completing a meticulous task or test, caught in the sunlight as the children held their imaginary Viking shields by their side.

Yes, today they would be Vikings.

Not orphans or children without a home. Not refugees forced to flee their city. Not children of frontline parents, not children of war. Just Vikings in a beautiful, carefree world of make-believe. And underneath that, just children.

This return to the innocent and creating a space for free development is exactly what Plast, Ukraine’s international scout organization, strives to create. For over a century, Plast has helped young people build character, hone leadership skills and establish a strong community through outdoor adventures, service and teamwork. In today’s Ukraine, where many children have grown up under the shadow of war, these lessons take on new meaning, creating a new reality with more possibilities.

Plast, like all of Ukraine, was built through repression, difficulty and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Founded in 1912 in western Ukraine, the organization survived two world wars as well as occupation by Poland, Germany and Russia, all of whom forbade or restricted the existence of Plast.

1. Plast camp in the village of Solochyn (Zakarpattia Oblast), 1934. Archive of the “Local History” project. 2. Plast group in the village of Bryukhovychi, Lviv District, Lviv Province, 1920s. Personal archive of Daria Korchak. 3. Plast girls, 1930s. “Local History” Project Archive. 4. A Plast camp for boys in Staryava near Khyrov, held from June 28 to July 24, 1939. Personal archive of Lukia Lukomska

In theory, Plast, like all of Ukraine, wasn’t supposed to make it. War after war, regime after regime, everything that plagued the land that Plast was built on, tried to snuff out the flame of Ukrainian culture and progress which it strived to illuminate. All of it worked to make Plast and Ukraine a faint memory.

And now, the full-scale invasion of Russia brings past horrific history into full swing again as war forces Plast into another round of defense and struggle for its own existence and name. But Plast has shown throughout its history that, like Ukraine, it cannot be thrown down that easily.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, over 25,000 internally displaced children have moved to Odesa. Combined with a shortage of youth programs and stable community spaces, many children in the area have limited opportunities for personal development, leadership training and social connection, a problem that Razom joined Plast this year to help address.

However, the challenges facing children in Odesa extend beyond displacement. Air raid sirens remain a regular part of life, and youth activities can still be interrupted by security threats. Plast youth leader Polina described a recent case when a Shahed drone flew over the camp, forcing everyone to flee into bomb shelters.

“It was so scary… But afterward, we had to get back and just continue- in a country without war, you don’t have to think about this,” said Polina.

Many such thoughts and anxieties surround Ukrainian youth in their day-to-day lives. Their unique situation makes things like Plast all the more important for their continued development.

“There is nothing ‘ordinary’ about being a young person in Ukraine today,” said Nastia Rab, chief advancement officer for Razom. “Even a summer camp takes place against the backdrop of a full-scale war. Yet that makes these experiences even more important. They give young people community, purpose, leadership skills and a sense of hope for the future.”

Despite these obstacles, this spring, Plast’s Odesa branch hosted its fifth major youth event of the year, Spring Festival, bringing together children from across the region, and across Ukraine, for a weekend of camping, games, challenges and friendships. Razom’s team joined in to experience the festival firsthand and to speak with participants and leaders about what Plast meant to them- and why they believe it’s important in shaping Ukraine’s future.

Razom partnered with Plast Odesa last year to provide a full year of support for such youth advancement activities. By providing materials such as tents, ropes, crafts and training resources, Razom helped manifest the goals and ideas that Plast had for the kids in their community.

Students participated in a rotation of workshops, stations and games where they learned different scouting and nature skills, such as knot tying, proper travel packing, setting up tents and map reading, materials for which were directly provided by Razom.

Their achievements are reflected in the patches they earn, and every patch tells a story. Most children have already gained multiple patches in several Plast programs throughout the year, including one for providing emergency first aid.

In addition to learning practical skills, participants and leaders emphasized the importance of Plast providing a unique environment for a thriving Ukrainian culture and community. Plast is Ukrainian-speaking, meaning all the events and activities are hosted in Ukrainian. For some students who don’t speak Ukrainian at home or encounter Russian in their everyday contexts, this provides a space where Ukrainian language and culture are the norm rather than the exception.

“A child should be immersed in Ukrainian-language culture and experiences, without Russian constantly entering that space,” said Korotaeva.

For some participants, Plast is an experience of re-immersion into Ukrainian culture and a unique space where they can share that with others.

“They want a community. They want more friends who share their values, more Ukrainian values, people who speak Ukrainian. Maybe at school or near home they don’t have that,” said Polina.

Plast not only invests in children participants, but also in training up group leaders and student counselors. As a training ground for young adults, Plast prepares older youth to step into adulthood with a leadership mindset and skillset.

“This also gives me some benefits, I gain experience being a leader, -something I don’t often get the chance to do,” said another Plast leader.

Most importantly, Plast provides participants with relationships and friendships that they can keep with them for the rest of their lives. It’s not just a camp where kids are dropped off and then picked up at the end of the day, it’s a forever-community, said Korotaeva.

“For me, Plast has become an inseparable part of life,” said a young participant.

Plast is all about investing in this resilient future. However, Razom’s connection to Plast is actually much deeper rooted in the past. Many from Razom’s staff were once Plast scouts or counselors as youth, and owe much of their love and work for Ukraine to their experience in the organization.

Dora Chomiak, third from left at a Plast history and public speaking competition

Dora Chomiak, shaking the left hand of a Plast counselor

Dora Chomiak, Razom’s CEO, started her journey with Plast as a child, attending camps in the Washington D.C. branch. Later, she became a Plast leader herself where she learned how to plan and run a camp for over a dozen students only a few years younger than her.

“I rely on all those experiences throughout my career,” said Chomiak. “Collaborate. Roll with it. Walk on the sunny side of the street when you can. Respect nature.”

Rab immigrated from Ukraine to the U.S. as a child and found an invaluable Ukrainian community in Plast that allowed her to stay connected to her roots.

“Plast helped shape who I became. Knowing that today’s scouts are finding the same friendships, values and sense of responsibility that I found years ago makes me especially proud of this partnership,” said Rab.

Uliana Bilash, Razom’s director of people and culture is a generational Plast attendee in her family. Her parents met at a Plast camp and passed on the experience to her, which eventually brought her to Plast camps across the U.S., Canada, Spain, Belgium, Germany and Ukraine both as a camper and counselor.

In 2022, when Plast summer camps in Ukraine had to close due to the invasion, Bilash volunteered at a Plast camp in Spain where many Ukrainian children refugees fled. It was another chance for her to pour into the next generation. Now that Plast is back in Ukraine, she works to ensure that kids still have the same experiences she had as a Plast scout.

“Now, we are lucky that Plast camps continue in Ukraine, but we often lack the resources needed to run them,” said Bilash. “By supporting Plast camps, we can help Ukraine’s children learn skills that can grow them into leaders of a prosperous and democratic Ukraine.”

Ukrainian Plast participants recreate their version of the Mariupol Theater at a Plast camp in Spain 2022.

Razom’s public engagement coordinator for its advocacy branch, Daryna Lesniak, also a Plast alumnus, started her own Plast group in Shanghai as a way to express her own Ukrainian story wherever she went.

“With Plast you always carry a piece of Ukraine with you,” said Lesniak.

Plast’s rich history and work has brought much of Razom’s team to their place right now. However, Plast’s reach also goes beyond the regular parts of Ukrainian society. Not only have Plast members taken great part in fighting in the world wars, were strong participants in Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity in 2014, but many now serve on the front lines, in defense against Russia’s aggression.

Having members of Plast serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine creates a conflicting reality. Enormous amounts of time, energy and resources are poured into supporting current and former Plast members in the army, which hold paramount importance. However, that also creates challenges in funding and sustaining the core youth programs that keep Plast active for the next generation, said Rab.

The future of Plast in Odesa is one of prospective growth. The current program is at full capacity with over 100 children on the waiting list. There are only so many resources available to cover so many students; there is not enough capacity for demand, said Korotaeva.

“We receive inquiries from parents almost every day,” said Korotaeva. “I keep writing and saying everywhere that our dream is for anyone who wants to join to be able to do so. Any child, especially here in Odesa.”

Looking ahead, Plast in Odesa hopes to expand their equipment inventory, train more leaders and eventually open up their own office to reach more communities in the area, and Plast’s organizers emphasized the important role of donors and outside support to make this a reality.

“Through these grants, over the last seven months, we’ve grown tremendously and made our events bigger and better. Without that support, we wouldn’t have been able to do it,” said Korotaeva.

“One of the things that makes me very happy on bad days is knowing that people in other countries are supporting us.”

Every year, Plast functions as a community of knowledge, skill-building, close relationships and Ukrainian values.

Whether a refugee in Spain, an immigrant in the U.S., or a young Viking on the banks of an Odesa lake, every Plast member inherently becomes part of its vast history, part of an experience they will never forget.

“For many people, Plast is one big adventure,” said participant, Ihor.

“It’s something you’re meant to enjoy.”

Plast in Odesa is just one of the vital projects we’ve been able to support this year thanks to the generosity of our community.

But our work doesn’t stop here.

War is trying to steal their childhood, but you can help us give it back.

By becoming a part of this crucial mission, your gift to our Kids Campaign helps Ukrainian children reclaim their joy, resilience, and hope—giving them safe spaces to learn, grow, and just be kids.

Razom for Ukraine Joined Ukraine’s Premier Annual Emergency Medicine Championship

Published: June 11, 2026

The Razom Health team participated in the 12th Ukrainian Emergency Medical Care Championship, Vinnytsia Medical Rally 2026 — the largest competition for emergency medical professionals.

This year, 29 teams from across Ukraine, along with international participants from Poland and Lithuania, took part in the championship. Over the course of two days, medics worked through more than 50 simulation scenarios in highly realistic conditions, ranging from mass casualty incidents to cardiopulmonary resuscitation in smoke-filled environments.

For the Razom Health team, the championship provided an opportunity to engage directly with emergency medical leaders and practitioners from seven frontline regions of Ukraine. A key focus of these conversations was the urgent need for alternative communication systems for emergency medical teams operating under the constant threat of losing connectivity. The next step will be the signing of cooperation memorandums to support these efforts.

The team also had the opportunity to assess the impact of Razom’s POCUS initiative, which trains healthcare providers to use portable ultrasound devices in pre-hospital settings. Razom representatives spoke with medics, instructors, and service leadership about how the program is being implemented in practice.

“We sincerely thank Razom for providing equipment that enables ultrasound examinations in ambulances. Our teams use it regularly, and it greatly helps us determine the most effective treatment strategy for patients. These tools save lives. The training organized by Razom has been incredibly valuable, and we continue to pass this knowledge on to our colleagues,” said Eduard Kika, Medical Director of the Odesa Regional Center for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine.

During the opening ceremony, representatives of Razom for Ukraine welcomed participants and recognized the critical role of emergency medical professionals across the country.

“It is incredibly important for Razom for Ukraine to stand alongside you — the people who make life-saving decisions every day. We are here not only as partners, but also to better understand the realities you face and the support you need. We wish every team success, but above all, we hope this championship strengthens collaboration, creates opportunities for learning, and reinforces the pride we all share in Ukraine’s emergency medical service,” said Olena Teryaieva, Program Manager at Razom Health.

Event participation helped us better understand how emergency medical service teams operate in wartime conditions. We had our first conversation with the medical director of the relocated Emergency Medical Care Center of Luhansk region and learned from his experience in evacuating injured civilians. We also discussed the issue of retaining medical staff with the head of the HR department at the Zaporizhzhia Emergency Medical Care Center.

The championship winners were the Emergency Medical Care Centers of Odesa Oblast, Kirovohrad Oblast, and Vinnytsia Oblast. The national team of the Republic of Poland was recognized as the best international team. The total prize fund exceeded €350,000, and the winners received certificates granting them participation in the international Rallye Rejviz championship in the Czech Republic in 2027.

Razom Brings Ukraine’s Top Frontline Medics to SOMA 2026, Leading Tactical Medicine Conference

Published: May 26, 2026

Razom for Ukraine brought 10 leading frontline medics from Ukraine, including military medics from 3rd Army Corps and Khartia, to SOMA 2026. The event took place in Raleigh, North Carolina, from April 27 to May 1. SOMA is one of the world’s largest conferences in tactical and operational medicine.

The programme featured more than 20 Ukraine-related presentations and research sessions highlighting Ukrainian experience in modern tactical medicine. Among them was Mykola Khudolii, a senior sergeant and head of the tactical medicine group of the 3rd Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who presented the research “Extremity Combat Trauma in Modern Drone Warfare” — awarded Best Medic Research Presentation at SOMA 2026.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to represent Ukraine at SOMA and present our experience from the field. It is important for us to share lessons learned from modern drone warfare, including the impact of training at Combat Lifesaver (CLS) level on survival and limb preservation, but also to learn from others and bring that knowledge back to Ukraine,” said Mykola.

During the conference, Razom also hosted a post-event networking session on April 30, which focused on connecting Ukrainian frontline medics and surgeons with international peers and organisations supporting Ukraine.

“We are creating a space where medics and partners from different countries and organisations can openly share experience and learn from each other. In the end, this is about one thing — improving care in the field and saving lives,” said Dan Solchanyk, Razom Health Program Director

“It is a great honor to be at a conference of this scale — not only to gain new knowledge from American colleagues, but to present unique Ukrainian expertise built through collaboration between the 3rd Army Corps, Khartia, and Razom for Ukraine,” said Matvii Suslov, Razom Heroes Program Manager.

For the second year, Razom for Ukraine brought Ukrainian speakers to SOMA. For the second year, Razom for Ukraine brought Ukrainian speakers to SOMA — an initiative first launched by Yuliia Shama, Project Manager at Razom Health, who continues to lead it. Alex Domaradsky, Project Manager at Razom Health, coordinated the trip. This year included more than 20 Ukrainian presentations.

Ukrainian Tactical Med Research Named Best at SOMA 2026 Conference

Published: May 15, 2026

Razom for Ukraine brought 10 frontline medics from the 3rd Army Corps and Khartia to SOMA 2026, one of the world’s largest conferences in tactical and operational medicine. Among the delegation was Mykola Khudolii, Master Sergeant and Head of the Tactical Medicine Group of the 3rd Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The research of the 3rd Corps Tactical Medicine Group, led by Mykola Khudolii, received the Best Medic Research Presentation award at SOMA 2026. The study examines extremity injuries in modern drone warfare, tourniquet effectiveness, and the challenges of casualty evacuation in prolonged field conditions.

“We showed that training every service member to the Combat Lifesaver (CLS) level significantly improves survival and limb preservation. After implementing this training, successful tourniquet conversion rates increased to nearly 99%,” said Mykola Khudolii.

The research also highlights that in modern warfare, casualty evacuation can take anywhere from several hours to several weeks, while around 90% of evacuations within the unit are conducted using ground robotic systems.

“What surprises our American colleagues most is the duration of evacuation. In their system, it is usually within an hour, while in our reality, it can take days or even weeks,” he added.

Ukrainian medics emphasize that the key priority is stabilizing the wounded before evacuation, adapted to the realities of drone warfare.

Last year, Razom organized the TQ Forum with the 3rd Corps, bringing together medical professionals of different levels to analyze the scope of care across the system, identify gaps, and develop ways to improve care with the goal of reducing the amputation rate within the corps. The forum resulted in a new training standard for personnel, which became the foundation for the positive changes presented during the 3rd Corps presentation at SOMA, explained Yuliia Shama

“We are proud to see Ukrainian work recognized at a conference of this scale. Through Razom, we are able to bring Ukraine’s unique frontline medical experience to SOMA, and engage in a true two-way exchange with some of the strongest training systems in the world,” said Dan Solchanyk, Razom Health Program Director

First initiated by Yuliia Shama, Head of the Razom Health Co-Pilot Project, and logistically supported by Alex Domaradsky, Razom Health Co-Pilot Project Manager, this project united the efforts of two Razom programs: Health and Heroes. Both teams are dedicated to strengthening Ukraine’s healthcare system for civilians and defenders, while also presenting leading Ukrainian practices in pre-hospital and hospital care to the global professional community.

We Work Together. And It Saves Lives.

Published: May 1, 2026

Ukrainian medicine under full-scale war is not only adapting. It is advancing how complex trauma care is delivered in active combat conditions.

Dnipro is a major city in eastern Ukraine, located along the Dnipro River and serving as a key medical hub for patients evacuated from front-line regions. Its hospitals receive a continuous flow of severely wounded patients from active combat zones.

Razom supports Mechnikov Hospital and the development of Co-Pilot to ensure Ukrainian medical professionals have access to modern tools, knowledge, and technologies needed to work under wartime conditions. This is support for a healthcare system that continues to save lives while strengthening the future of Ukrainian medicine.

In this system, the line between battlefield and hospital no longer exists. It runs through emergency departments, operating rooms, and daily clinical decisions. At Mechnikov Hospital, one of Ukraine’s leading referral centers for complex trauma, doctors are not only treating patients. They are building a model of care shaped by constant pressure, limited time, and high-risk injuries.

“We are now in Dnipro. This is my fourth trip here,” says American neurosurgeon Rocco Armonda. “We operate alongside Ukrainian doctors, manage intensive care, consult on complex cases, and work on scientific publications.”

This is not a typical professional exchange. It is sustained collaboration built around real-time needs. Razom supports this work by connecting specialists, helping with the logistics, delivering critical equipment, and enabling continuous knowledge exchange between Ukrainian and international doctors.

“Rocco was the first neurosurgeon who came to Dnipro in 2023,” says Andrii Sirko, head of neurosurgery at Mechnikov Hospital. “Since then, we have worked together every year, including on the most complex cases.”

This partnership reflects a broader shift. Wartime medical practice in Ukraine is contributing to new clinical standards that are now being observed internationally.

The First Trip: Suitcases, a Train, and the Unknown

Rocco’s first trip to Ukraine was defined by logistics and uncertainty.
“We flew to Kraków with four large containers of medical equipment,” Armonda recalls. “The vehicle we received was too small. We had to repack everything by hand.”
From there, the route continued to Lviv, across the border, and onward by overnight train to Dnipro. In Dnipro, the arrival was direct and personal.
“I was surprised. Senior doctors were waiting for us at the platform. That does not happen in the United States,” he says. Sirko remembers the same moment differently. “We first saw the suitcases. Only then we saw Rocco.”
This reflects the nature of the work. Action comes first.

The Operation That Changes the Understanding of War

The first day in the hospital required immediate engagement.
“It was a penetrating brain injury after a drone strike,” says Armonda. The injury involved both brain tissue and major vessels. Cases like this require rapid, multi-stage intervention. At Mechnikov Hospital, the team completed diagnosis and surgery without delay.
“I have not seen this done in one stage so close to an active combat zone,” Armonda notes. “In Iraq and Afghanistan, we focused on stabilization only.”
Ukrainian teams operate differently. They manage full clinical complexity under pressure. In another case, a patient presented with a gunshot wound to the base of the skull and intracerebral hematoma.
“I asked if observation was the plan,” Armonda recalls. Sirko’s response was direct. “No. We intervene.”
This approach prioritizes outcome and responsibility for survival. During the same period, the team introduced a pupillometer, a device used to assess neurological response and intracranial pressure. The equipment was delivered through international support and immediately integrated into clinical practice. The patient survived. This outcome reflects a consistent system, not an isolated case.

Philosophy of Survival and Work

War compresses time and changes decision-making.
“In the United States, we may observe for several days,” says Armonda. “Here, decisions must be immediate. The patient flow does not stop.”
Evacuation delays also affect treatment.
“Patients often arrive later than expected. This changes surgical planning, especially in the presence of infection. ”Adaptability defines the system. Ukrainian doctors adjust protocols in real time based on conditions on the ground. What stands out is not only clinical capability, but professional mindset. “People focus on what needs to be done today,” Armonda says.
“They go to work, treat patients, take care of their families.” Recognition is secondary. “When you call them heroes, they say they are doing their job. They point to those at the front.”
This reflects a clear professional ethic grounded in responsibility.

Why Advocacy Is a Continuation of Medicine

The discussion then moves beyond clinical work.
“People often ask me how they can help,” says Armonda.
“They contribute equipment, research, and funding. This supports patient care in a direct way.”
Every contribution is applied in practice, whether through equipment, medical missions, or research. In operational terms, this acts as a force multiplier. Support increases the capacity to treat more patients and manage more complex cases.

This is not only financial support. It is presence. People understand that they are not working in isolation. Razom maintains active operations in Ukraine, ensuring that support reaches hospitals where it is needed. This support is visible. It directly contributes to patient survival.
“We provide a platform so that the world can see what is happening here,” Armonda says. “People want to help.”
“We do not just work together. We begin to think in the same way,” adds Sirko.
“This matters beyond medicine. We share principles and apply them in daily work.” This includes not only treatment, but also sharing experience and making it visible to others. Without this exchange, the connection between teams would not exist. This work includes doctors, partners, and supporters across countries. It is coordinated and sustained.

From Practice to Advocacy

In this context, advocacy is not based on statements. It is based on demonstrated capability. It does not begin in political offices. It is formed in hospitals, through clinical decisions and responsibility for patient outcomes. Doctors do not describe this work as advocacy. They operate, train, and share clinical experience. By doing so, they provide direct evidence of what is possible in wartime medicine. In modern war, outcomes matter. The ability to make decisions, manage complexity, and save lives under pressure builds trust and informs international understanding. Ukraine’s experience is not only about survival. It contributes to the development of medical practice. As this experience becomes visible through research, collaboration, and exchange, it becomes part of the global medical conversation. Advocacy ensures that this work is understood. Because their experience is not a position. It is evidence.

“Everyone can do something”: restoring faces — and lives — during war in Ukraine

Published: April 20, 2026

This spring, Lviv hosted the sixth Face to Face mission — a surgical program of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), implemented by Razom as part of the Co-Pilot project.

Over the course of seven days, a team of seven surgeons — Parag Gandhi, Grigoriy Mashkevich, Augustine Moscatello, John Frodel, Ryan Daniel Winters, Ivanna Nebor, Boris Chernobilsky — alongside ten nurses, including Susan Ketigian, Viktoriya Ygreen, Yurij Tsuvanyk, Jamie Harold Orange, Emmett Joseph Harty Jr, Maribel Caraballo, Andrew Kostyaniuk and Tashina Morgenstern, worked at the Military Medical Clinical Center of the Western Region together with their Ukrainian colleagues. They operated on patients with some of the most complex facial injuries caused by the war.

The work began with consultations: in just one day, doctors examined 55 patients and selected 40 for surgery. Starting the next morning, operating rooms ran at full capacity from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For four consecutive days, the team carried out reconstructive procedures across three specialties — ophthalmology, otolaryngology, and maxillofacial surgery. These injuries affect not only physical function but also how patients see themselves — their identity, confidence, and place in the world.

Among the patients were both military personnel and civilians affected by the war. For many, this was not the first stage of treatment, but part of a long recovery process that can last months or even years.

One of the defining features of this mission was the integration of surgical care with on-site prosthetics. Two anaplastologists — Eduardo Arias and Benjamin Rosenberg, specialists in ocular and facial prosthetics — joined the team. Together, they set up a temporary laboratory to create custom ocular prostheses for patients undergoing surgery.

This approach fundamentally changed the care pathway: patients were able to receive their prosthesis immediately after surgery, without waiting for a separate stage of treatment. In cases of eye loss, this has not only medical but also profound psychological significance — allowing individuals to return more quickly to a familiar appearance and to social life.

Alongside surgical care, the team also addressed other dimensions of recovery. Pain management specialist Timothy Canty, who works with PTSD, joined the mission. He delivered lectures at the Superhumans Center, Lviv Psychiatric Hospital, and St. Panteleimon Hospital, as well as practical trainings for anesthesiologists, psychologists, and pain management specialists at the Lviv Military Hospital. This work is aimed not only at supporting patients but also at strengthening the capacity of Ukrainian medical teams to address the long-term consequences of trauma.

Knowledge transfer was another key component of the mission. Ukrainian doctors who had previously participated in missions, surgical trainings, conferences, and observerships in U.S. hospitals organized by Razom — as well as specialists from other Lviv hospitals — joined the procedures. They worked side by side with the international team in operating rooms, observing, assisting, and gaining experience they will continue to apply in their practice.

Dr. Parag Gandhi, an oculofacial plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience and a third-time participant in the mission, emphasized the importance of this collaboration:

“It is a great honor for me to work alongside Ukrainian colleagues, helping injured soldiers and civilians who have sacrificed so much for their families and their country. I truly believe that while one person cannot do everything, everyone can do something. And it is through knowledge exchange and collaboration that we make that contribution.”

The mission was made possible through the partnership between Razom for Ukraine and the AAFPRS Face to Face program, as well as collaboration with the Military Medical Clinical Center of the Western Region, the INgenius platform, and Healing the Children North East.

These missions are gradually reshaping the approach to treating complex facial injuries in Ukraine. It is not only about individual surgeries, but about building a comprehensive model in which surgery, prosthetics, pain management, and physician training are integrated into a single, continuous process of recovery.

The mission was made possible by the support of Razom for Ukraine’s donors, whose contributions enable the deployment of international medical teams, procurement of critical equipment, and on-the-ground coordination. This support makes it possible not only to carry out complex surgeries, but also to facilitate the exchange of expertise between Ukrainian and international physicians and expand access to advanced approaches in treating war-related injuries.

Razom Volunteers Targeted in Airstrikes While Delivering Aid in Sumy Region

Published: September 13, 2024

On the morning of September 13, Razom’s volunteers came under heavy airstrikes while delivering humanitarian aid to Yampil Hospital in the Sumy region. As they were unloading supplies, two air-dropped bombs (KABs) exploded just 100 meters from the hospital. Thankfully, the volunteers and hospital staff escaped serious injury. However, the hospital’s windows were shattered, and vehicles, along with the much-needed aid, were damaged by shrapnel.

Immediately after the attack, the hospital began receiving injured civilians, mainly women, children, and the elderly. Under extremely difficult conditions, the medical staff provided urgent care, even relocating to the hospital’s basement for safety.

Yampil, located just 7 miles from the Russian border, has been enduring nearly daily airstrikes, according to local residents.

In response to the worsening situation in Sumy and nearby regions, Razom for Ukraine launched an emergency program to supply hospitals in Sumy with essential medications, orthopedic equipment, and other critical materials. With today’s delivery to Yampil and previous deliveries to Sumy, Khotin, Shostka, and Hlukhiv, Razom has now provided nearly 10 tons of humanitarian aid, valued at $200,000.

Razom needs your help!

Innocent Ukrainians and volunteers are being targeted while delivering humanitarian aid. Let’s also remember the recent Red Cross tragedy on September 12, where three workers lost their lives in a similar attack.

Support Razom for Ukraine to replace the damaged vehicle and continue delivering life-saving aid across Ukraine. Every contribution saves lives!

Razom Participated in the First International Congress on Military Medicine and Mental Health

Published: July 31, 2024

The First International Congress on Military Medicine and Mental Health, titled “Warrior: Life. Health. Combat Readiness,” was a pivotal moment for Ukraine. Held in Kyiv on July 27, 2024, the event brought together a distinguished assembly of Ukrainian and international experts in healthcare, rehabilitation, mental health, and military medicine.

Among the attendees were key government figures, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, First Lady Olena Zelenska, Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, Minister of Health Viktor Liashko, Ukrainian parliamentarians, diplomats, military personnel, representatives of specialized medical centers, public organizations, and charitable foundations.

Razom for Ukraine was honored to participate in this critical congress. Our team, led by CEO Dora Chomiak, CFO Oksana Falenchuk, and Executive Director Evelina Kurilets, actively participated in the event.

The congress delved deeply into the pressing issues facing Ukraine’s military and its personnel: physical and psychological health, rehabilitation, field medicine, and innovative solutions. Participants shared their experiences and expertise, fostering a collaborative environment to address these challenges.

Since the outset of the full-scale Russian invasion, Razom has been steadfast in its commitment to saving lives. “Razom has already purchased and delivered over 150,000 tactical first aid kits and over 3,500 medic backpacks to frontline areas. We have also created our own teams of instructors who conduct medical training for service-members and first responders. All of this is done with one goal in mind – to save lives, which is the most valuable thing,” shared Taras Hatalyak, Head of Razom Heroes program.

To further support first responders and civilians, Razom organized a hands-on workshop at the congress, teaching participants essential life-saving skills like applying tourniquets and packing wounds. Our experienced instructors shared their knowledge, empowering attendees with practical skills to make a difference.

Beyond addressing immediate medical needs, Razom is committed to supporting long-term recovery efforts. At the congress, during a meeting of the Interagency Working Group on the implementation of a pilot project aimed at reforming rehabilitation in the healthcare sector for military personnel, Oleksii Zakharchenko, Razom’s Communications Director in Ukraine, introduced the “Ukraine Rehabilitation Platform” project. This initiative is being carried out by Razom with support from SAP Ukraine. The online platform, accessible at rehabukraine.com, offers comprehensive information on over 415 rehabilitation centers throughout Ukraine. By mapping these centers, we strive to simplify the process of finding appropriate care and ensuring access to essential rehabilitation services.

The First International Congress on Military Medicine and Mental Health was a significant step forward in improving the lives of Ukrainian service-members and veterans. Razom for Ukraine remains committed to supporting their physical and mental well-being, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure they have the resources and support they need.