In need of troops, Ukraine recruits soldiers from all walks of life
at a secret pickup point in Ukraine’s nepro region a medical evacuation for soldiers who were injured just hours ago some can walk others are on stretchers like this 39-year-old his call sign is WiFi before he was conscripted 2 months ago he worked in it how long had you been on the front line for he smiles and says 2 and a half days shrapnel tore through his legs how difficult was it for you to leave the trench very difficult he said once the tourniquets were on his legs wouldn’t move he had to be carried this former accountant was on the front line a little longer about a month his tank was hit earlier in the day trapping him inside all of these men are being taken to the hospital by a team of volunteer Medics with the group Hospital ERS they never quite know when they’re going to run these evacuation buses it depends how many injured soldiers there are and sometimes there’s not even enough space to get them all on board among the group this Soldier stands out he’s 60 and tells us his vehicle was hit by a drone drone drone drone drone he volunteered at the start of the invasion there are all these excuses that younger men are he said adding that he has medical problems and he’s still serving Ukraine is trying to recruit more soldiers because after nearly 2 and a half years of war there are mounting casualties they always ask if their limbs will be amputated says volunteer Tana romanc they worry what they will do next Once the bus is full it departs for the hospital an hour and a half later when they arrive a soldier is headed into emergency surgery because there’s shrapnel in his spine for others the injuries are not as visible it’s very difficult both mentally and physically says WiFi it’s hard for an ordinary Soldier let alone for someone who only had basic training but like the others his time on the front might not be over after they’ve healed a medical commission will determine if are still fit for Duty Brier Stewart CBC News in the nepro region
After more than two years of relentless fighting against Russia, Ukraine is desperate to replenish its military and is drawing recruits from all walks of life. CBC News was granted access to a medical evacuation bus transporting some of the newest soldiers wounded on the frontlines.
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