A group of Ukrainian military veterans wounded in the war with Russia visited St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Spring Valley, San Diego County. The meeting took place as part of a tour across the United States, during which veterans share their frontline experiences, the impact of the war, and the need for continued support for Ukraine with the American public.
This was reported by NBC 7 San Diego.
Among the participants were Ukrainian soldiers Mykola Melnyk, Oleh Bonchynskyi, and Denys Haida, all of whom were wounded following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. They spoke with parishioners before the Sunday service, recounting the events they experienced during combat operations.
Mykola Melnyk sustained severe injuries in June 2023 during a battle near the Russian border, where he was commanding a unit. He lost his right leg due to machine-gun fire; subsequently, while in a state of shock, he stepped on a Russian mine, resulting in the loss of his left leg.
Following his treatment, Melnyk continued to help children who had lost parents to the war and founded the charitable organization "Brave Children of Ukraine." Over the past few weeks, he and other veterans have been traveling across the United States, meeting with American veterans who served in Ukraine, sharing insights from the Ukrainian war experience, and raising funds for children left orphaned by the conflict.
Melnyk also emphasized the importance of military personnel from other countries studying the Ukrainian army's experience. He noted that Ukrainian soldiers paid for their mistakes with the lives of comrades who never returned home.
Bonchynskyi urged Americans to grasp the scale of the war, describing it as "real terrorism." Haida stressed the importance of continued U.S. support, noting that it is difficult for Ukraine to wage this fight without international assistance.
The group was also joined by Ukrainian soldier Volodymyr Balbekin, who was visiting the U.S. for the first time. His trip was organized by the Protez Foundation, a charity that provides free prosthetics to Ukrainian soldiers and civilians who lost limbs due to the Russian invasion.
Balbekin uses a wheelchair after being wounded by Russian mortar fire last June and is currently in the U.S. for medical treatment.
During the meeting, Mykola Melnyk also spoke about the broader international dimension of the war.
He stated: "If we lose, the U.S. will be next. We cannot separate the war, Ukraine, or Iran. It is a single war for freedom against dictators."
The visit by Ukrainian veterans to San Diego was part of a trip aimed at raising awareness about the experiences of Ukrainian military personnel, supporting Ukraine, and helping children affected by the war.
Photo: Shield Of Freedom
Author: Inna Mikhno