Artur Mylin: instead of going to Canada, he went to war

Artur Mylin comes from the Dnipropetrovsk region. He graduated from the Ukrainian State University of Chemistry and Technology in Dnipro, went to Kyiv for postgraduate studies, and eventually stayed in the capital.

He worked at the Academy of Sciences and obtained the Candidate of Chemical Sciences degree. In the group of young scientists, he twice received grants for the implementation of research works and became a presidential scholar among young scientists.

In addition to science, Mylin has been interested in powerlifting since his student days. He practiced himself, trained others, and even now gives tips to those who ask. "I can't show you how to squat, but I'm trying to explain. I continue to work out," says the 33-year-old soldier.

In 2023, Mylin was already planning to move to Canada. "I wanted to move not because I don't love my country but to see the world and gain some experience. I wanted to live life as interestingly as possible. That was the goal," he shared with Rubryka. "I improved my English and prepared documents."

When the war began, Mylin first went to his institute, turned off the lights, sealed the rooms, and then went with his friends to one of Kyiv's military commissariats. He received the weapon only on the second day because of a long queue.

He ended up in the 112th Independent Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces. For the first two months, he served in Kyiv in the Irpin area and then went to the east of Ukraine in a company of, as he says, young and lively. Together with the 24th brigade, they took part in brutal battles near Komyshuvakha. Later, with other brigades, they performed tasks in Kramatorsk, near Lyman, and then held defense in the village of Terny in the Donetsk region.

"The place was heavily shelled. Once, a Grad flew into our yard, but the shell exploded on the roof of the house, and if it had flown into it, 17 to 20 people would have died. In fact, it was more surprising not to die during those seven months than the other way around. There were such missions when we lost 20 people in a day," the fighter says calmly.

Mylin remembers the explosion. He says that he was lucky that there were no offensive actions and shelling at that time, so his comrades were able to bandage and evacuate him.

 "Actually, I managed to die there — it was a clinical death. Everyone did a really good job; thanks to that, I didn't die. "I was unlucky that I was shot but lucky to survive," says the soldier.

Next was the hospital in Dnipro, where Mylin's mother works as a nurse. "That's why I knew everything would be fine," the soldier smiles. The situation was complicated. Mylin spent some time in the intensive care unit and underwent multiple operations.

Then, the wounded soldier was transferred to a Lviv hospital, where he was also operated on, and then, he was sent to the comprehensive rehabilitation center, Halychyna. After that, he had another surgery in Lviv and returned to the rehabilitation center, where he was offered to go to Estonia — and Mylin willingly agreed.

When Mylin arrived at the clinic, he was placed in a separate room. He was happy because it helped him to calmly finish the training course on the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which he started back in the rehabilitation center, Halychyna. The soldier stayed in Estonia longer than other wounded because, for the first two weeks, he had to wait for the components of the prosthesis. "That's how I combined the useful with the useful, practiced intensively, and received a certificate," Mylin smiles.

He found new friends — got in touch with Ukrainian emigrants in Estonia and Ukrainian diplomats, thanks to which he was able to go for a walk in the city. Muylin met a psychologist there — she and her friends also took the soldier out for walks. His knowledge of English helped him a lot in communication.

"We still communicate — the psychologist tells me something, and I share a video of how I do something. Thanks to the Estonians, she shows it to doctors and rehabilitators; I keep in touch with them," says Myli.

A prosthesis was assembled for the soldier, which he mastered gradually. After being discharged from the clinic, he rented an apartment in Tallinn for some time because, at Mylin's request, he still had the so-called prosthesis cup reworked.

"I thank them very much. The cup serves me to this day," says the soldier.

Mylin shares his plans to visit Estonia later: "The country is very cool, and the support of Ukrainians there is simply crazy. Ukrainian flags fly on the highest buildings, observation wheels, and Estonians sing Ukrainian songs every holiday. They emptied all their warehouses of weapons to help us. I remember how we received NLAW from them, and it was some kind of "superwonderwaffle," and tanks were no longer scary to us."

In principle, he became friends with the prosthesis, says Mylin. "Thoughts that it will be super easy may have been superfluous," he says with a smile. "But in general, I begin to feel that the leg is functional. I walk both on the ground and the grass. If, for me, descents are simple, the leg itself holds you back, then on mechanical knees, it is all very difficult. And I can climb almost anywhere — I'm not afraid."

For moving over long distances, Artur takes a scooter. "I try to combine, get out of the situation. If the surface is normal, then everything works. I am very grateful for the leg. It is simply chic! They also gave a six-year guarantee, so I can be calm for this period," the Ukrainian soldier is satisfied.

After prosthetics in August 2023, Mylin participated in the Strong of Ukraine sports competition from the Strongman Federation of Ukraine. More than 100 athletes from different parts of Ukraine took part in the event — participants in hostilities, veterans, and members of their families.

Mylin competed in several disciplines: rowing on a simulator, bench press, and aerobike. Ultimately, the soldier took an honorable third place and received bronze in the aerobike discipline.