British medic loses arm and leg in strike in Ukraine

A British medic, who lost a leg and an arm in a suspected drone attack while volunteering in Ukraine, told the BBC that despite his severe injuries, he still feels "lucky." The volunteer, named Eddie, was evacuating people from the front-line town of Pokrovsk when his vehicle—clearly marked with evacuation signs—was attacked while driving.

The 28-year-old said he "remembered" "everything" about the January 30th attack, including the three flashes of light around the vehicle and realizing his leg had been "torn apart." He told the BBC, "My first thought was, I need to keep driving, we’ve been hit." Eddie also recalled pressing the accelerator, but the car didn't move; he tried to shift gears, but his left leg didn't respond; he tried to turn the steering wheel and felt his shoulder move, but couldn't see his arm move, at which point he realized the situation was very bad.

Eddie expressed gratitude for the support he has received from friends, family, and colleagues since the attack, and that despite losing two limbs, he has not become bitter or pessimistic. He added, "I'm honestly positive. I have an amazing support network around me. It’s my left arm and left leg that I’ve lost—I’m right-handed." When asked if he had any regrets, Eddie replied, "No." He continued, "I have family here, I have a goddaughter. I have a life here, and if it means losing an arm and a leg to have that life, then so be it."

Eddie's family has struggled to understand why he chose to volunteer in Ukraine, but he said his father will be visiting him in Ukraine next week. Eddie, who is from Dorset, has been in Ukraine for two and a half years, having previously worked as a sailor on superyachts. He initially planned to deploy with others from overseas supporting Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s full-scale invasion. However, as the brutality of the war became apparent, Eddie reconsidered his options and drove to Ukraine in October 2022, joining the volunteer effort to support Kyiv as a combat medic.

At the time he was injured, Eddie was working with the aid organization Base UA, and he credits the group’s on-site coordinator with saving his life. The charity posted on Instagram accusing Russia of daily shelling of humanitarian and civilian organizations in Pokrovsk. Over the past year, Russian forces have gradually expanded the territory they control in eastern Ukraine. Although Ukraine launched a surprise counteroffensive into Russian-held territory last summer, its forces have struggled to stem the advance in the east. Russian troops continue to close in on Pokrovsk, a mining town about 60 kilometers (37 miles) northwest of the regional capital Donetsk, targeting main roads and supply routes in their advance. The settlement is considered a strategically important location for both sides' forces. The pre-war population of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad combined was around 100,000, but most have now fled.