“RG” has already written about this truly unique person. Santa Claus was blown up twice by Ukrainian antipersonnel mines. He the first time he lost his leg, but returned to service with a prosthesis. The explosion then tore off his prosthesis and injured his other leg. However, Santa is back on the front line. Also, at a critical moment, he led an assault unit on a prosthetic. As a result, he took the village of Svetlichnoye. Santa has other serious injuries that couldn’t stop him. He is now often on the front line, but at the same time he solves an equally important task – the rehabilitation of fighters.
– Many of our guys have been fighting for nine years. In addition, since 2014, residents of Donbass and volunteers from different regions of Russia have participated in hostilities solely for ideological reasons, without high salaries, benefits, or compensation. Over the years, it has become clear that a combatant who experiences death on the front lines may find it difficult to return to civilian life later. Faced with some kind of injustice in civilian life, a person can react sharply, in a military manner. And with the beginning of the SVO, there are more and more such people. Of course, the state is dealing with this problem, rehabilitation programs are being developed, but we also want to help. Therefore, we decided to create a voluntary association of participants in the NWO and veterans of hostilities in the Donbass. After all, it is these people, fresh out of the trenches, who know better than anyone the difficulties faced by yesterday’s soldiers and how to help them return to civilian life, Santa explains.
According to him, a civilian who participated in the battles does not always know about existing rehabilitation programs. At the same time, peaceful life is very different from life at the front, and there are no commanders here who could be consulted in a difficult period. And a fighter who has seen blood in “free swimming” already thinks a little differently. The adrenaline is still boiling, I want to respond with action to any irritating factor.
“The most important thing here is not to be alone, but to have the opportunity to discuss what is happening with the same veteran, who is trusted, who will listen, understand, warn of reckless acts, help to figure it out, says Santa Claus.
In addition to stabilization and psychological support, joining veterans also intend to help soldiers who have returned from the front lines to successfully integrate into civilian life, establish their own business, and receive education. It is especially important that help is provided to those who have already traveled a certain path, recovered from injuries and managed to achieve something in civilian life.
– Talented guys are at war with us. For example, I remember a wrestler, an opera singer. He sang so much on the bench that we cried. There are guys who write wonderful poems, and in general there are many smart young people who would like to find an application for their strength in a peaceful life. And we would help them, after returning from the front, to realize themselves and, if necessary, get a promising profession, the opportunity to earn money and support a family. Give what is called a fishing rod. For example, there is already an agreement on the organization of training in the field of IT, says Santa.
Another direction is assistance to veterans with disabilities.
In addition to psychological support, soldiers who have returned from the front will receive help to successfully integrate into civilian life, establish a business and obtain an education.
– When I lost my leg, I didn’t know where to go, what to do, where to look for a prosthesis, what type, how much it costs. I got out myself, thanks to the indifference of ordinary people. For example, I received support from the volunteer Anna Dolgareva and the Russians, who collected a considerable amount – about 800 thousand rubles – for a good prosthesis. The late commander of the “Ghost” battalion, Alexei Markov, call sign Dobry, helped a lot. I remember, I am lying after an amputation in the hospital and I see two silhouettes through the veil. From the voices I hear that this is the head of the trauma department and the battalion commander. The battalion commander says to the doctor: make a list of medicines, we will find, deliver, call at any time, we will bring everything that is needed for Santa from Moscow. I was lucky that there were such people around, and someone at a critical moment would not have them. And we want to assume the role of those people. If, for example, a disabled person is admitted to the hospital, we will go to him and help him to recover. She will then help the other boys in the same way. Both volunteers and patrons are welcome to join us. In fact, they are already adding up. A Moscow lawyer, born in Donetsk, bought prostheses and put 15 people on their feet. Recently, a businessman came up who is ready to pay for a prosthesis for 400 thousand rubles.
