Russian threat: Medics in Ukraine face grave battlefield risks
A medic at war in Ukraine is a primary target for the Russians, according to paramedic Sylwester Winiarski. The average lifespan of a medic is merely three months.
During the conflict in Ukraine, medics are especially vulnerable to attacks from the Russians. Sylwester Winiarski, an experienced paramedic, highlights in an interview with the Polish Press Agency that a medic is a "juicy target" for the Russians.
Differences between Afghanistan and Ukraine
Winiarski compares the situation in Ukraine to the conflict in Afghanistan, where they faced guerrilla forces. In Afghanistan, there was no front line, and attacks could come from any direction. Currently, hundreds of injuries are reported daily in Ukraine, making this conflict incomparable to others.
In Afghanistan, transporting the wounded to the hospital took 2-4 hours, while in Ukraine, this time extends to 10 hours. Russian artillery makes rapid air transport impossible, forcing reliance on wheeled vehicles exposed to mines and shelling.
- The war in Ukraine resembles World War II more than other armed conflicts that erupted after its conclusion - the medic emphasises.
Winiarski points out the new challenges posed by the war in Ukraine. Medics must operate in extreme conditions, often without the possibility of quickly transporting the injured. Tactical blood transfusions on the battlefield are being introduced, a new development in emergency medical services.
- In Ukraine, the rule is that a medic cannot reveal themselves; they are a juicy target for the Russians, one of the most significant targets on the battlefield. Killing a paramedic, a person trained to save lives and teach others to do so, is like hitting the bullseye for the enemy - he explains, emphasising that the average lifespan of a paramedic on the front line is just three months.
Winiarski emphasises that despite the difficult conditions, medics and soldiers are trained in basic medical procedures, which increases their chances of survival.
- Advanced medicine is moving closer to the front line. For example, Ukrainians are already conducting tactical blood transfusions on the battlefield - says Winiarski.
