Wounded Soldier from Yakutia Amputates His Own Leg and Waits for Evacuation for 17 Days in a Trench

A harrowing tale of survival and resilience

In a remarkable display of courage and determination, a wounded soldier from the Yakutia region of Russia amputated his own leg and endured 17 days of agony while waiting for evacuation in a trench.

A desperate decision

The soldier, whose identity has not been released, was severely injured during a battle in eastern Ukraine. With no medical assistance available and intense pain overwhelming him, he made the difficult decision to amputate his own leg below the knee.

A grueling wait

After the self-amputation, the soldier fashioned a makeshift tourniquet to stop the bleeding and crawled to a nearby trench. For 17 grueling days, he remained in the trench, enduring unimaginable pain and infection as he waited for help to arrive.

Finally, salvation

On the 18th day, Ukrainian forces launched a counter-offensive and liberated the area where the soldier was hiding. He was finally evacuated to a hospital, where he received urgent medical attention and underwent further surgery.

A testament to human resilience

The soldier's story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Despite facing unimaginable pain and adversity, he remained determined to survive and ultimately triumphed against the odds.

Echoes of history

The soldier's self-amputation recalls similar stories of desperation and survival from throughout history. In World War II, for example, American soldier Audie Murphy amputated his own leg after being severely injured in battle.

A call for support

The soldier's story also sheds light on the urgent need for medical support and evacuation in war zones. Many soldiers are forced to endure severe injuries without access to proper care, leading to unnecessary suffering and even death.