This patient provided consent for the use of their image, name, and personal story.
When darkness prevails, those selfless few who shine brightly are easier to spot. These days, this brightness often enters our lives in the form of self-sacrifice–be it time, money, effort, emotional attachment, or even that which is most precious: one’s life.
One such hero is a 30-year-old from Vinnytsia, Illia Pylypenko, who voluntarily left his comfortable real estate job to enter the Ukrainian military in March of 2022 immediately following the full-scale invasion. Having served as a conscript in 2011-2012, Illia already had some experience with operating tanks–and while this knowledge had faded somewhat over the years, he refused to let this hold him back. So, after ensuring his family’s safety by sending them abroad, he knew he could no longer stand on the sidelines.
On September 2, 2022, while deployed in the Kherson region [oblast], Illia and his unit were ordered to carry out a combat mission. Though such tasks were routine, this particular one involved traversing a road known to be heavily mined. That day, on that treacherous road, the tank Illia was driving struck at least one of the mines. In an instant, the vehicle was engulfed in flames, both inside and out.
At the time, Illia’s fellow soldiers were positioned in the upper part of the tank. This made it easier for them to escape, as they typically covered the hatch without locking it. Illia, however, was in the lower section, being responsible for the mechanics, and had to close the hatch to ensure the upper turret could function properly. As a result, he was left inside, isolated from the outside world.
After the blast, Illia lost consciousness and was unable to respond to critical radio signals. His comrades were deeply concerned by his silence. When he regained consciousness, he found himself engulfed in flames. He knew he had to act quickly. “The biggest fear for tankers is burning alive. I had often imagined such a situation, and perhaps that is what saved me,” he later recalled.
Everything around him was ablaze, and he was aware that something was seriously wrong with his leg. In that moment, he operated purely on instinct; there was no time to think. Somehow, he managed to extricate himself from the burning wreckage and crawl to the roadside, where his fellow soldiers rushed to evacuate him.
After the injury, Illia’s long journey of recovery began. Thankfully, he sought help from Neopalymi. And since Illia met all the criteria for our clinical services, he began scar treatment with the Ukrainian Volunteer Center and the other Neopalymi heroes, first in Odesa and now continuing in Lviv.
Recovery involves not only physical healing but also emotional resilience. For Illia and many other wounded defenders, the prospect of returning to normalcy is a daunting task–a process that unfolds gradually. In the first days after his injury, he couldn't think about much; there was only immense gratitude for life. “Then came the feeling that I was born under a lucky star, but as I like to say—one with short sleeves,” Illia reflects, acknowledging that while he was fortunate, it wasn’t without limitations.
The first stage of recovery involved simply going outside, even though he had no desire to at first. He would often encounter lingering, sympathetic looks from strangers. In such moments, Illia would respond in a way that proved surprising to many: he would smile. The worst reactions, he explained later, are when people approach with phrases like, “Oh, you fought, what happened? Oh God, I feel so sorry for you!” He advises against approaching veterans in this manner, going on to say, “I don’t feel sorry for myself, so why should you feel sorry for me?”.
So, how should one react? The best response, he suggests, is to smile if you find yourself staring. “I think people who venture into public simply want to be part of [Ukrainian] society. They want to be accepted as they are, and there is nothing scary about that. We are all living people—there are just some nuances. I think the best reaction would be either a smile or a nod of the head.”
Is it okay to ask about their experience? Can the person even answer a stranger? It is important, he went on to emphasize, to ask for consent before satisfying one’s curiosity. First, consider whether it’s appropriate. If you approach and ask, “Can I talk to you? What happened to you?,” Illia believes that 80-90% of people will say, “Yes, I’d love to tell you.” After all, this approach might just lead to one of the most candid and illuminating conversations you will ever have.
Injured people remain just that—people—with their own intentions, plans, and dreams. After all, life does not end with such injuries; it only gives a deeper understanding of the meaning of existence.
Illia dreams of restoring his face, hands, and anything else that medical advancements can repair. He is currently undergoing physical rehabilitation and external treatments to reduce scar deformities.
Sports have always been an integral part of Illia’s life, from participating in marathons to playing football matches with friends. Although his non-functional leg was amputated, he is already preparing to receive a prosthetic limb and dreams of reaching new heights in his athleticism.
As a former tanker, Illia firmly believes in victory:
“Many of our best guys have already fallen…there’s no way back. No one will raise the white flag. We will only move forward!”
Indeed, we Ukrainians will never surrender. This war has shown time and again that every question has an answer, every problem has a solution, and every wound can and will heal with the proper care and support. It is true what they say: "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”
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