It is a cloudless night in the Ukrainian capital and the stars in the sky shine on him as he lies on his back. The vision of the stars is disturbed only by flashes of light that drift above his head. He closes his eyes and thinks that now death is coming. The thought that he might want to die isn’t scary. It’s the thought of what will happen to him if he doesn’t die that scares him.
The morning before, on February 24, Russia invades neighboring Ukraine. In the capital, Kiev, residents are awakened at six by heavy drones and explosions. 20-year-old Andrji was planning to go to a lecture at the university this Thursday. He studied history and wanted to become a history teacher. This day he would change his life forever.
Volunteering
The first thing Andrji does when he wakes up is to call his parents, who live a couple of hours’ drive outside Kiev. He tells the unreal night:
– We had seen on the news that Russia had threatened to invade Ukraine, but people thought it was not going to happen. They can’t be stupid enough to attack Ukraine, in the middle of Europe, in the 21st century.
After talking to his parents, the 20-year-old decides to volunteer for military service. He doesn’t tell anyone. Only later in the day were the uniform and weapon delivered to him. Andrji has never held a weapon, but receives a quick introduction. After that, he calls his father and tells him that he is about to join the army.
– Many young people that day decided it was time to do more in life than to celebrate, study and work. We wanted to be free.
– But why Andrji, were you just a student?
– Many young people grew up in a free country. Not in the Soviet Union, but in a free country. That’s why I made the choice. To continue living freely.
Sharpshooter
The following night, Andrji and a couple of companions are deployed to take care of important infrastructure. They don’t have night vision, so they don’t see anything. All they hear are gunshots howling in the air in all directions. They try to get down, but one of the blows hits Andrji and he falls to the ground. The 20-year-old was shot in the neck, probably by a Russian sniper.
– Like a movie
Andrji lies motionless on the ground. He sees the stars in the sky and thinks death is coming. He closes his eyes.
– I closed my eyes, but after a while I opened them again and tried to move. Then I thought maybe this wasn’t the end after all. It was like in a movie.
He smiles sweetly when he says it. The little body lies snugly under the duvet in the Haukeland University Hospital hospital bed. Only the head and some chest protrude. In the center of the neck and on one side of the neck there are noticeable marks.
– They shot me in the neck and the doctors couldn’t get the whole bullet out, so it’s still there.
Try to show us which way the shot went with the eyes hidden behind the glasses. His head is the only thing she can move. Andrji was paralyzed from the neck down from the shot in February. He now he lies helpless in a hospital bed in Norway.
In Norway
After receiving first aid in his home country, Andrji and several other wounded soldiers from Ukraine were flown to Norway this spring. His mother came with him and eventually they also took their 12-year-old sister to Bergen. He goes to school and has already learned some Norwegian.
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The clear voice of the 12-year-old produces perfect Norwegian and smiles when we brag about her. She is sitting in her brother’s room in the hospital. She and her mother stay with Andrji every single day.
So far, Norway has welcomed 105 patients from Ukraine, 27 of whom are wounded soldiers. Andrji is very grateful.
– At first it was a bit difficult to come to a new country, with new people and a new language. But I am very grateful to everyone who helped me. I remember they wanted me to taste Norwegian milk chocolate. When they brought it, it tasted like Ukrainian chocolate. Amazing, but it tasted the same.
You want to be in Bergen
The young student smiles. He kept his humor and positivity despite what happened. Yet something bothers him.
– Sometimes it’s a big deal because I don’t know what’s going on. They say I have to move indoors, but for me, my mom and my little sister it’s better that I stay here. The doctors here will operate on me three more times and then it will be hard to drive eight hours each time. Also, my little sister has already made friends here in Bergen. I hope they can leave us here.
New goals
Andrji says he had to set new goals and wishes after that fateful February day.
– I want to become a history teacher and then I must first finish my studies at the University of Bergen.
– Do you regret joining the army?
– I think I made the right decision. In that situation, you don’t think about the lack of experience. You just want to do something for your country and for your family.
Andrji smiles at us when we finish the conversation. She hopes we have a nice evening. He himself lies motionless in the hospital bed and looks out the window as we walk out the door.
