A look at the hospitals treating brain injuries in Ukraine

Mykhaylo Bielov, 31, a Ukrainian National Guard soldier, was defending the eastern city of Bakhmut on December 31, 2022, when a Russian grenade exploded over his head.

“I remember a white light and how it went out,” he said. “I remember putting out the fire on my uniform and spitting out my tooth.”

Emergency surgery at Mechnikov Hospital saved his life. He was in a coma for a month. His recovery will take years.