What helps a veteran return to life after a serious injury? Society often sees only the defender himself. Meanwhile, the enormous work of the family remains in the shadows. Ivan Voinov and his wife Solomiia Smachylo openly share their story, a life that they had to rebuild step by step. 

After being hit by half-ton guided aerial bombs near Vovchansk, Ivan suffered severe injuries, then came the amputation. After that came exhausting rehabilitation: the loss of 18 kilograms of muscle mass, training in a wheelchair, severe phantom pain, and the first victories, when after a month of daily exercises, the immobile side of his face responded by at least a millimetre. 

Today, Ivan performs at the Theatre of Veterans, takes part in Spartan races, and is preparing for wakeboarding competitions. They have not only kept their old passions but also discovered new ones. For years, Solomiia dreamed of dancing together as a couple, but Ivan always refused. And it was only after the injury that he finally said “yes”. Now dancing has become a special kind of therapy for them, a space of closeness. 

This interview for the Museum of Civilian Voices is about unconditional love and how a family becomes a source of support during rehabilitation. Ivan himself puts it simply: “I came back alive. Great. We keep moving forward.”