VIKTOR DYKYI has felt like a soldier since childhood, claiming that he is a warrior at heart. Originally from the Kharkiv region, he lived in Donetsk for twenty years. He currently works for the railway.
About myself. I won’t impose myself; I prefer to observe people at first, but ultimately, I’m not closed off to communication. What attracts me to people is their sense of humor. It’s also important that a person can laugh not only about others but also about themselves, especially in our environment of veterans with injuries.
I’m lively and have a vibrant character. This is evident even in the types of sports I’ve tried. I tried archery but realized it’s not my sport since it requires calmness and concentration. I enjoy wheelchair basketball because I can really get into it. Before my injury, I played football and hockey. Team sports are a great way to release adrenaline and shout out frustrations. In everyday life, I’m calm, but I’m fierce in games. It’s also very important to me that the team functions as a wholesome team.
I can get angry, but I’m not aggressive. What really irritates me is injustice. Once, when we were stationed, Russian tanks were approaching us, and we were promised support, but it never came. I was very upset during that time. Fortunately, we all managed to retreat safely from those positions.
Overall, my experience in the war has made me more confident in myself. Now I not only have my own opinions but am also willing to defend them. My wife also says I’ve become more decisive.
About the war. In 2014, I was eager to defend Donetsk region right away. Back then, I said I didn’t care which unit I fought in, as long as I had a weapon. I ended up in the volunteer battalion “Artemivsk.”
At that time, I thought we would finish the war by the end of September and return home. But after Ilovaisk and Debaltseve, we realized that negotiating with Putin was impossible. When we met as a battalion, we talked about a major war ahead. I even told my acquaintances who were pro-Russian that what happened in Debaltseve would happen in Lyman as well—just wait for the “Russian world” to arrive.
I told my guys that winning the war wasn’t enough; we also had to survive to rebuild the country. It didn’t matter if we were without arms or legs; we had to make it through.
About injuries and motivation. In 2015, I received my first injury near Debaltseve. After that, I first tried out for the Invictus Games. I immediately knew I would participate and make it to the national team. At that time, athletics—running and jumping—were my top priorities, but I didn’t make it onto the team.
In 2014, I was very afraid of losing an arm or a leg in the war; that was my biggest fear. But when I saw guys and girls at the Invictus Games in 2018 running and swimming on prosthetics, that fear disappeared.
By 2022, I no longer feared losing my limbs. When I lost my legs, I only asked my comrades to take me to the hospital. But I knew I had to dance at my daughter’s wedding.
Once, I went to support a young guy with a serious injury who had lost his spirit. I understand how important it is to feel you’re not alone with your trauma. However, aside from my family, I didn’t have any outside support.
This time, I didn’t even think about registering for the Invictus Games—I had no legs and couldn’t decide on a sport. I was waiting for my prosthetics and had postponed participating in national competitions until the following year. Then I received a call from my job at Ukrzaliznytsia, asking me, “Why are you refusing? Try another sport.” I thought, “I’ve been to the Invictus Games three times, and I still haven’t tried archery…”
About support, goals, and happiness. I knew that now there is proper prosthetics, and what mattered most to me was that I remained alive. I accepted my injury calmly; I didn’t feel despair. Only when I dream about running, I wake up with a sense of disappointment. But I have a goal—to run a marathon on prosthetics.
My wife and children keep me motivated. The most important thing is that they don’t pity me; on the contrary, my wife says, “Do it yourself.”
Society reacts in different ways. Once, my wife, daughter, and I went to the zoo, and a boy shouted, “Mom, look, that man has no legs.” His mother took his hand and pulled him away. But some kids are curious and their moms say, “Go ask the man,” and they ask if I lost my legs in the war.
When adults refer to me as “poor thing,” it annoys me. More people are asking if I need help now, but there have been instances people tried to take the wheelchair from my wife’s hands. Some people might shake my hand.
I’d be satisfied with people placing hand on their hearts. I don’t want any special gratitude expression. Much deeper appreciation could be expressed through making cities inclusive.
What makes me happy is that I am alive, doing my work and sports. And that my children understand and support me.
Translated by Green Forest English School