Combat medic rescued injured comrade from encirclement: a year later.

According to ТСН: The combat medic of the 101st brigade with the call sign 'Golden' saved his comrade 'Dragon', who found himself trapped with a spinal injury after an explosion. A year later, they met again.

Hell in Toretsk: explosion and encirclement

'Dragon' (Serhii) and 'Golden' (Denys) met in Toretsk, a city that is now practically destroyed. A year ago, fierce battles were taking place there. Serhii was on the second floor of a multi-storey building when the Russians detonated the entrance. He fell along with concrete slabs into the basement and was buried under the rubble.

Injured comrades managed to extract him through a narrow hole to the company medic Denys Oliinyk.

Denys 'Golden': 'He was on adrenaline and didn’t initially understand what was happening. He stood for another 15-20 minutes, and then said: “I can't, my legs are giving out.” I already knew then that he had a broken spine and ribs.'

Escape from the trap

The situation was critical — the group found themselves encircled, and evacuation was not possible. The exit from the encirclement was set for the first hour of the night. Before the start, Serhii, convinced he wouldn’t survive, asked to call his wife Diana to say goodbye.

The group consisted of six people, but no one agreed to carry the seriously wounded Serhii due to their own injuries. But Denys decided not to leave his friend behind.

Serhii 'Dragon': 'My guys refused because one had a back injury, another had a back injury... And Denys said: Serhii, grab me by the neck, and we will go slowly.'

The first distance was about 6 km.

Denys 'Golden': 'In one hand, I had the automatic rifle, with the other, I secured him from behind. I could barely take two steps — he was dragging his legs on his toes.'

Serhii 'Dragon': 'I was holding onto him as best as I could — either by the strap or by the bulletproof vest.'

Through the reeds and tears

When their strength was exhausted, they hid in a shelter for two days. The second stage of the exit was even more challenging.

Denys 'Golden': 'We fell in those reeds. He begged: “Just don’t leave me.” We cried together, I said: “Where would I throw you?” He said: “Let’s go a bit more.”'

In total, Denys carried Serhii for about 10 km. When they finally reached the evacuation point, Serhii could not feel one leg and was screaming in pain. Doctors confirmed the worst predictions: the spine was broken in two places.

Meeting a year later: home in Kyiv region

Today, Serhii is holding on to a metal structure and learning to walk again. Denys came for a short vacation from the front, and he and his wife went to visit the rescued comrade.

Serhii recently bought an old house in the Kyiv region. He is originally from Donetsk and, upon leaving the encirclement, saw the ruins of his native home with his own eyes. Now he meets his savior while standing.

Serhii's wife Diana: 'Thank you for my husband. May God protect you, I am very grateful to you.'

This holiday season, Denys spent his first time at home in four years with his wife and two daughters. When his wife is asked about her wish for the New Year, the answer is always the same: “My husband at home.”

'Golden' and 'Dragon' say goodbye. Serhii promises that by the next meeting he will walk even better. And Denys will return in a few days to where it is almost impossible to get to.

This story is a vivid example of friendship and courage on the battlefield. Despite all the difficulties and dangers, medics and soldiers find the strength to save each other. The meeting of Serhii and Denys a year after they experienced shared trials reminds us of the value of human life and support in the most challenging times.