Oleksandr Mozghovyi: “Family is 50% of the treatment for every wounded serviceman”

"I went to my people"

Oleksandr Mozghovyi graduated from the Kyiv Military Institute of Management and Communications and became a platoon commander-instructor in Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk region. Later, he left the military to become an entrepreneur. Eventually, he was elected village head, and after decentralization, he became the headman of five villages. It was in this role that he faced Russia's full-scale invasion.

"I went to fight directly from the post of village headman, despite being reserved from mobilization. At that time, everyone probably went voluntarily. At first, I was a little held back by the queues that were at the military commissariat at that time, and a little held back by my position. Because civilians also have their own concerns," the veteran shares.

Mozghhovyi says that at that time the 756th regiment was based in his community. When the order of the Ministry of Defense appeared that each regiment should form an assault company, Mozghhovyi saw that many of his compatriots were mobilizing, but there were very few officers among them.

"That's why I went to my people, and went directly to the assault company. I was initially enrolled in the position of deputy commander of the weapons company," Mozghhovyi says.

"Unfortunately, one of the mines exploded two meters from me"

At first, Mozghovyi and his comrades were in the Kherson region. In November 2022, one of the platoon commanders was seriously wounded and Mozghovyi had to replace him in his post. Then there was a redeployment to the Donetsk direction — to Vuhledar and Pavlivka.

At the same time, a rapid response group was formed, headed by Mozghovyi. Somehow ten of them had to retake a position from the enemy. They managed to do it, but were unable to keep it.

"Since the position was held by Russian marines, considered elite, they launched intense fire on us during our retreat. We were shelled from every possible direction for about three hours. Unfortunately, one of the mines exploded just two meters from me," the veteran recounts.

Mozghovyi sustained a leg injury, and the ongoing fire made the situation even more dire. His comrades had to leave him temporarily but later returned with artillery support and managed to evacuate him after three or four hours.

The journey to the stabilization point was arduous. Initially, he was taken to Kurakhove, but the hospital there refused to admit him due to the severity of his wound. The amputation was ultimately performed in Pokrovsk. Afterward, he was transferred to Mechnikove, then to Dnipro, and finally to Kyiv.

"What really motivated me to keep going was my eldest daughter!"

"My wife was with me almost every day throughout this ordeal, but it was my eldest daughter who truly inspired me to recover. While my wife stayed with me, our children were with our parents. One evening, I received a call from Darynka, my daughter:

— Dad, I can't get past the last checkpoint.

— What checkpoint?

— They're not letting me through to the hospital.

"She had made her way to Dnipro from the Kyiv region, navigating using GPS to reach the hospital. I was in a tough condition at the time, but when I heard this, I found the strength to get up—perhaps out of fear, but also from the will to continue fighting and living. That's why I always say that family is 50% of the treatment for every wounded serviceman," Mozghovyi reflects.

"This prosthesis isn't just one of the best; it is the best"

Once the worst was behind him and he was back home, Mozghovyi became interested in prosthetics. A quick search led him to the prosthetics program run by the Estonian government in collaboration with the BGV Charitable Foundation. Through this program, he received an electronic leg prosthesis.

"I've been using this prosthesis since June 15, and it truly is the best. Almost everyone who has lost a limb faces some kind of challenge. For example, I have a lot of muscle tissue removed and a stump that isn't ideal in size. But despite these challenges, I can walk fully, drive a car, and manage the constant work around my private house. I handle everything with ease, and of course, I continue to work," Mozghovyi shares.

He notes that the physical therapists in Estonia did an outstanding job helping him adapt to the prosthesis. While there were moments of pain during the adjustment period, he views this as a necessary part of the process and believes the outcome was worth it. The result, he says, is not just personal improvement but also a demonstration of the possibility of a full life, which can inspire others.

"For all wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters, seeing a loved one injured is incredibly hard. When these women come to me seeking information about prosthetics and I stand up and walk without a cane in front of them, their mood changes entirely," Mozghovyi shares.

Now officially retired from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the veteran found that he couldn't stay idle for long. He has taken on a new role as the chief specialist in the social sector for veterans and their families. His role involves supporting other veterans and assisting them in finding various solutions.

Oleksandr Mozghovyi. Photo: BGV Charitable Fund