Dmytro Tereshchenko, a veteran of the 119th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade from Chernihiv, returned to Ukraine after his fourth prosthetic refitting in the United States, organized by the charitable organization Revived Soldiers Ukraine. During the trip, he not only received a new prosthesis but also became the hero of an international photo project and took part in charity events in support of wounded Ukrainian servicemen.
This was reported Revived Soldiers Ukraine.
After completing treatment and rehabilitation in the United States, Dmytro returned home, where he was met by his family. The organization notes that this was already the veteran’s fourth prosthetic refitting. After suffering a severe injury, he continues to actively engage in sports, take part in international competitions, and support other Ukrainian defenders.
This time, the trip to the United States had not only a medical purpose. Dmytro Tereshchenko became the hero of a special photo shoot for ICON magazine, conducted by world-renowned American photographer Bruce Weber.
Ukrainian actor Oleh Zahorodnii helped organize the Ukrainian veteran’s participation in the project. He accompanied Dmytro during his stay in the United States and helped ensure that the story of the Ukrainian defender reached an international audience.
Dmytro Tereshchenko volunteered in the first days of russia’s full-scale invasion, when he was only 19 years old. After the shelling of his native Chernihiv began, he joined the ranks of the 119th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. In 2023, during fighting near Kreminna in Luhansk Oblast, the serviceman suffered a severe injury that resulted in the loss of his leg.
That same year, thanks to Revived Soldiers Ukraine, he received a modern bionic prosthesis at Prosthetic & Orthotic Associates (POA) in Orlando, Florida. The cost of the first prosthetic fitting exceeded $30,000.
The organization explains that because of intense physical activity and constant training, Dmytro regularly undergoes prosthetic refitting, replacement of components, and technical adjustment of the prosthesis.
This year’s refitting, already his fourth, together with transportation, organizational, and everyday expenses, cost $10,900.
During his stay in the United States, Dmytro continued to represent Revived Soldiers Ukraine as the organization’s ambassador. He took part in a charity fundraiser for wounded Ukrainian servicemen at St. Joseph the Betrothed Parish in Chicago, and also served as a host of the charity graduation fashion show of the Ukrainian modeling school StarKids.
In recent years, Dmytro Tereshchenko has become one of the most prominent veterans of Revived Soldiers Ukraine thanks to his athletic achievements.
In 2024, at the international United States Air Force Trials in Las Vegas, he won seven gold medals, becoming a seven-time champion of the tournament. The athlete earned five medals in swimming and two more in rowing.
No less significant was his performance at OCEANMAN Ukraine, where Dmytro completed a two-kilometer distance across the Dnipro River in 38 minutes, becoming the first swimmer with an amputation to successfully finish that distance. In doing so, he improved his own result from the previous year by more than 10 minutes.
In addition to his athletic career, the veteran actively participates in civic and cultural initiatives. Together with other severely wounded servicemen supported by Revived Soldiers Ukraine, he opened shows by the Andreas Moskin brand during Ukrainian Fashion Week and also became one of the heroes of the social project “The Will to Move Forward,” implemented by NextStep Ukraine together with the Morshynska brand.
Revived Soldiers Ukraine emphasizes that all these achievements were made possible thanks to the support of the organization’s donors and partners.
Photo: Revived Soldiers Ukraine
Author: Inna Mikhno