In a ramshackle clinic near the front lines of Russia’s war on Ukraine, Dr. Oleksii and his skeleton staff face the unpredictable challenges of their daily operations. Known as a “stabilization clinic,” their primary mission is to stabilize wounded soldiers and civilians caught in the midst of a vicious fight. Their efforts are crucial to ensure casualties survive long enough to be transferred to better-equipped hospitals away from the constant risk of Russian bombardment.
As CBS News visited the clinic, explosions could be heard in the distance. Suddenly, a much louder blast occurred nearby, prompting urgency among the medical team. Ukrainian soldiers, well-versed in the situation, understood the gravity of the situation. The injured started arriving, with medics efficiently attending to their needs. Civilians, some too wounded to speak, were also brought in for urgent care.
Within 20 minutes of the arrival, another explosion struck, causing a steady flow of wounded individuals entering the clinic. The overwhelmed facility transformed into a battlefield triage point. Dr. Oleksii and his colleagues faced life-and-death decisions, determining who had the best chances of survival. The injuries sustained, including shrapnel wounds to heads, chests, and limbs, were consistent with the devastation caused by cluster bombs. Dr. Oleksii affirmed the use of such weapons by the enemy and emphasized the vital role of emergency treatment at the clinic in saving lives.
Despite the chaos and carnage, Dr. Oleksii and his team persisted in their mission, aware that the casualties they treated might not have made it to a hospital otherwise. Around 30% of those seeking treatment at the clinic are civilians, victims of the shelling that occurs in settlements along the division lines. Driven by anger at the devastation inflicted on his country, the doctor remains motivated to continue his work, acknowledging that there may be even worse days ahead.
As Ukraine continues to endure the horrors of war, the dedicated medical professionals at the stabilization clinic strive to provide critical care to both military personnel and innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. However, the increasing frequency of attacks, particularly through the use of cluster bombs, poses a severe challenge to their efforts. The international community must not turn a blind eye to the suffering in Ukraine and should work towards a peaceful resolution to this devastating conflict.
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