I lost my leg in Putin bomb blast & then filmed bloody aftermath – here’s reason I still watch vid, says Ukrainian woman

A UKRAINIAN woman who lost a leg on the front line hailed the surgeons who saved her — and inspired her to help others.

Rusya Danilkina, 21, filmed the aftermath of the blast that changed her life and, incredibly, is now empowered by it.

Portrait of a woman with a prosthetic leg wearing a black corset and long gloves.
Rusya Danilkina who lost a leg on the front line hailed the surgeons who saved her — and inspired her to help others
A female Ukrainian soldier with a prosthetic leg stands in front of a military vehicle.
Rusya filmed the aftermath of the blast that changed her life and, incredibly, is now empowered by it
Woman with prosthetic leg in black outfit.
She was hit by shrapnel from one of Vladimir Putin’s glide bombs in KhersonCredit: Chris Eades
Portrait of Rusya Danilkina, a Ukrainian soldier who lost her leg in combat, wearing a black corset and long gloves.
She said: ‘I had my phone in my right hand as I looked down and saw that my left leg was gone’
Black and white photo of a woman's legs in a hospital bed, one leg bandaged.
Rusya said in the weeks afterwards she would ‘lie in my hospital bed staring at the ceiling thinking I did not want to live any more’

She was a radio operator in the Ukrainian army in February 2023 when she was hit by shrapnel from one of Vladimir Putin’s glide bombs in Kherson.

Two years on, she has become a social media star, documenting her recovery to 125,000 Instagram followers.

That includes the nine seconds of horrific footage from Kherson.

She said: “I had my phone in my right hand as I looked down and saw that my left leg was gone.

“I could smell explosives and flesh, there was blood everywhere and parts of my body, it was terrible and I thought I was going to die.

“In an instant, I realized my life would never be the same. I recorded a video and sent it to my brother to inform him of the extent of my injuries.

“I still revisit the footage, and perhaps it sounds strange, but I appreciate the moment of my injury because it transformed my life and revealed my inner strength. Without that incident, I wouldn’t have the life I lead today.”

Rusya said in the weeks afterwards she would “lie in my hospital bed staring at the ceiling thinking I did not want to live any more”.

But she saw others with “worse injuries” before being taken to the Superhumans Centre in Lviv, recently visited by Prince Harry.

Since it opened in April 2023, it has fitted 1,100 patients with 1,500 prosthetic limbs.

One was Rusya, who said: “This is not just a hospital, it is a place of power. It gives people a future.”

Putin’s ‘no expenses spared’ parade lays bare frail Vlad’s delusion & what he’s really hiding

She now loves surfing and rock climbing and has been to Australia, France and the US.

She also works at Superhumans, helping other veterans adapt to civilian life.

Rusya shared: “Many wonder about the wellspring of my resilience. Witnessing individuals relearn to walk in the hospital or grasp a glass for the first time with a new hand is truly inspiring. It all starts in the mind — if you set your sights on success, you will achieve it.”

Most patients at Superhumans are soldiers but civilians such as Olena Levytska, 38, are also treated.

She fell under a train and lost a leg as crowds fled a shell attack in Kryvyi Rih.

Her children now call her Terminator thanks to her new limb with “Made in Ukraine” printed on it.

Olena, who ran a clothes business, said: “I have had 19 operations but I’m fine and can do things better than some with two legs. I feel my future looks bright.”

Royal Navy warship HMS Tyne shadowed Russian Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar as it travelled home from the eastern Med through the English Channel.

You May Also Like

“Indiana Mother Rescues 12-Year-Old Daughter by Shooting Attempted Rapist: Reports”

An Indianapolis mother reportedly shot a man she found on top of…

Romesh Ranganathan announces unexpected decision to take a break from his career, clarifies he is not quitting.

Romesh Ranganathan has revealed he’s hitting pause on his hectic showbiz schedule…

Rumors of Elon Musk’s Declining Mental State and Substance Use, Claims Freddy Gray

Alexander the Great, known for his military conquests, once expressed sadness at…

Trump shares marriage tips with Macron after talking about Brigitte slap incident with French leader

DONALD Trump has given Emmanuel Macron marriage advice following viral footage of…

Retailers openly disregard new ban on disposable vapes, claiming lack of communication about the law’s enforcement.

Shopkeepers flouted the new vapes crackdown today by selling single-use e-cigarettes on…

Conflict arises over trans athlete AB Hernandez in California with fan detained for damaging car with Pride flag

VIOLENT protests have erupted in California after a trans athlete served a…

Drones reportedly attack Russian airfields in Ukraine, damaging nuclear bombers in a significant operation, with video evidence showing planes on fire

TWO Russian airfields housing Putin’s nuke bombers have reportedly been blitzed in…

The evolution of the ideal female body in the past century

As women struggle to keep up with ever-changing beauty standards, more than…

“Hamas Ready to Release Hostages in Efforts to Bring Peace to Gaza Conflict”

HAMAS has said that it is ready to release hostages in a…

Trump spreads the belief that Joe Biden passed away in 2020 and was substituted with a clone.

On Saturday night, President Donald Trump took to social media to propagate a strange…

Father discovers therapist sexually abusing his 14-year-old autistic son in a closet – perpetrator attempts to escape through a window while the boy’s pants are lowered.

A THERAPIST was caught allegedly molesting a 14-year-old boy with autism during…

Archaeologists find ancient city lost for 3,000 years with remarkable pyramids and canals

AN ANCIENT Mayan city has been discovered by archaeologists in northern Guatemala,…