Ukrainian soldiers with prosthetic limbs conquer Kilimanjaro in Africa

Four Ukrainian soldiers with prosthetic lower limbs, along with a soldier who survived combat injuries, successfully reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 meters. They participated in the Second Wind project, which involved producing a film documenting their journey up the mountain.

The organizers of the project reported this.

"Despite the exhaustion, pain, and illness of part of the team, the soldiers were able to raise the six-meter flag of Ukraine on the summit of Kilimanjaro as a symbol of the indomitability of the Ukrainian people," the message noted.

At the summit of Africa, climbers worldwide joined in unfurling the Flag of Ukraine.

^{Photo: video screenshot / Instagram / secondwindua}

"To express their support, climbers from different countries of the world, who were also at the peak at that moment, helped the soldiers unfurl the flag as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine's struggle for justice, thereby demonstrating their support from the world community," Second Wind wrote.

As emphasized in the post, this climb became historic. After all, among the Ukrainian soldiers, no one with a lower limb prosthesis had ever climbed to the top of Africa.

"Moreover, there are no cases in the world when four soldiers on prostheses at once, as well as a soldier after injuries, made such a group climb," the message emphasized.

Earlier, Rubryka reported that five Ukrainian service members—four with lower limb prostheses and one who has survived two combat injuries— were climbing Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak.

The following joined the expedition:

• Olha Yehorova (unit "Birds of the Madiar");
• Vladislav Shatilov (State Border Guard Service of Ukraine);
• Mykhailo Matviiv (Separate Special Forces Unit "Omega");
• Roman Kolesnyk (Third Separate Assault Brigade);
• Oleksandr Mikhov (Separate Special Forces Unit "Omega").

Following the climb, the film crew will produce a feature-length documentary titled "Second Wind." Directed by Masha Kondakova, the film will be hosted and co-produced by Oleksandr Pedan, with Serhii Mykhalchuk, renowned for his work on the film "Dovbush," serving as the chief cameraman. The documentary will be showcased both in Ukraine and internationally.

The documentary will be released in the fall of 2025. The Second Wind project account on Instagram will provide updates on the expedition.

For reference:

"Second Wind" is a Ukrainian documentary media project that includes a film about five servicemen climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The project is funded by the charitable foundation "If Not Now, Then When."

Together with veteran Stepan Korobkin, who survived an amputation and 32 surgeries, Tetiana Yalovchak climbed Kilimanjaro. She is the first Ukrainian record holder to conquer Everest and the seven highest peaks on all continents, and now she has implemented a project that combines adaptation and motivation through conquering mountains.