During the occupation, the russian military mined the bank of the Inhulets River in the village of Bobrovyi Kut in Kherson region because they feared a counteroffensive by Ukrainian troops. Vitalii Kotliar, who was under occupation for some time, recalls how cattle or wild animals would blow up on the minefield and tripwires. The russians immediately opened fire in the area of the explosion.

The occupiers were later driven out, but the minefield remained. Residents of Bobrovyi Kut found a supposedly safe way to the river. Yes, it was risky! But it was used by many residents.

After the de-occupation, Vitalii returned. He found a job to restore the village. The tragedy happened on a weekend when he was returning from fishing.  While climbing to the shore, Vitalii stepped on a mine and part of his leg was blown off! His cries for help were heard, but his fellow villagers were afraid to follow him to the mined shore! So Vitalii crawled 30 meters, and another 50 meters to the nearest street, literally hopping on one leg! From there, the fisherman was taken to the hospital.

Vitalii Kotliar told his story while undergoing rehabilitation provided by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation. While Vitalii was in the sanatorium, Hennadii’s wife was seriously wounded in Kherson. A shell completely destroyed the family’s apartment.