Ukrainian soldier who lost his legs in war proposes to his beloved at foot of Ukraine's highest mountain – photo, video
Ihor Zobkiv, a serviceman of the 80th Separate Galician Air Assault Brigade, who lost both legs in the Russo-Ukrainian war, proposed to his girlfriend at the foot of Mount Hoverla, the highest mountain in Ukraine, standing at 2,061 metres in the Carpathian Mountains. Ihor's beloved Mariia said "yes".
Source: Department of Sport, Youth and Tourism of the Lviv Oblast State Administration on Facebook
Details: "Ihor Zobkiv lost both legs after a severe injury. But that did not stop him – he reached the foot of Hoverla on prosthetic legs to propose to his beloved. His act is a reminder to us all: true love and strength of spirit know no barriers," Lviv Oblast State Administration noted.
This year, 200 participants, including soldiers from the 80th Air Assault Brigade and the 2nd Galician Brigade of the National Guard, climbed Ukraine's highest mountain.
Ihor proposing to Mariia.
Photo: Lviv Oblast State Administration
Photo: Lviv Oblast State Administration
"The weather favoured us this year. It was sunny, and there was no fog in the mountains, unlike in previous years. Some participants climbed Mount Kukul, where crocuses are now blooming, while more experienced hikers ascended the highest peak in Ukraine," said Roman Khimiak, head of the Department of Sport, Youth and Tourism of Lviv Oblast State Administration.
Both groups that reached the mountain summits traditionally sang Ukraine's national anthem. The climb was organised as part of the League of the Unbreakable and Therapy Through Travel initiatives.
Besides serving as rehabilitation for soldiers, the mountain ascent had a charitable goal – participants raised over UAH 300,000 (about US$7,200) for purchasing DJI Mavic 3 Thermal drones for the two brigades.
Earlier, media reported that Ihor Zobkiv, a 24-year-old serviceman, joined the defence forces in 2018.
On 6 March 2022, as a squad commander, he was wounded after stepping on a mine. He was fitted with prosthetics six months after the injury but could not regain vision in one eye.
Despite his disability caused by severe injuries, he returned to his brigade to take up a position in the rear.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Air Canada adds new flights to popular European destinations
Air Canada's inaugural flight from Montreal to Porto, Portugal, on June 4 has added to the air carrier's growing list of new and existing European destinations. 'We are delighted to be returning to Porto, marking our newest Europe route this summer and second destination in Portugal,' said Mark Galardo, executive vice–president and chief commercial officer and president, cargo. 'We design routes like this one to appeal to our customers throughout our North American network, with convenient travel options at our Montreal hub. A world heritage city and gateway to Portugal's northern region, Porto offers an array of history, culture, outdoor adventures and gastronomic experiences.' Air Canada's return to Porto complements its existing flights from Montreal and Toronto to Lisbon. Other new European routes announced for this summer include the launch of its Naples route in May and the return of the Ottawa to London LHR route in April. In addition, Air Canada recently launched its Toronto to Prague route, while the carrier's Montreal to Edinburgh route is set to launch at the end of the month. The Porto flights will be operated on Air Canada's Airbus 330-300. Customers can choose from three classes of service: economy, premium economy and Air Canada signature class, offering customers superior comfort and convenience in an exclusive cabin, with spacious lie-flat seating, personalized service, fine cuisine, extra baggage allowance and access to priority airport services.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Mexico's Sheinbaum accepts invitation to G7 summit in Canada
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday confirmed her participation in the G7 summit in the Canadian mountain resort of Kananaskis later this month. Other countries whose leaders have confirmed they will join the gathering of economically powerful democracies include India, South Korea, South Africa and Indonesia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been invited but has not yet indicated whether he will attend the meeting in the Canadian Rockies. Sheinbaum, who is seen as on the left politically, is hoping to hold her first bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump during the two-day summit, which starts on Sunday. The two leaders have spoken by phone a number of times, but have not met in person. The aim is to create a global framework for cooperation with Trump's administration over the years ahead, Sheinbaum said on announcing her decision to attend. Mexico has been strongly affected by Trump's tariff policies, with increases on the import of cars, steel and aluminium hitting the country's economy. Other key points of difference between the two neighbours are cross-border migration from Mexico into the US and Trump's attempts to interdict the flow of the opioid fentanyl into the US. The annual G7 summits bring together the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Other leaders are often invited to attend.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
‘My £19,000 family holiday is in jeopardy because of the Home Office's ETA shambles'
I live in California and have dual UK-US nationality, as do my three teenagers. Me and my husband (who has dual Canadian-US citizenship) have been planning a month-long trip to see family in England for the first time since 2019. Our UK passports expired in 2017, so we booked the flights – and planned to travel – using our US passports (as required under US law). After doing so a few weeks ago, United Airlines informed us that we would need to apply for the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK. No problem, we thought. One of the questions on the online ETA form asks applicants whether they hold dual nationality, however, and nowhere in the drop-down menu can you select 'British', nor is there anywhere to type it in. Therefore, unless I falsely claim to have only US citizenship, I cannot obtain one. Having booked the flights within a month of travel – we were awaiting confirmation of work commitments – we have no time to apply for new UK passports (it takes at least four weeks, we have been advised) or a Certificate of Entitlement (which takes up to eight weeks and costs £589 per person). I have spent around 30 hours calling the British Consulate and Embassy in the US, I've called the UK Visas and Immigration agency and used its ETA web chat multiple times, and I've spoken to United Airlines on several occasions. Yet all I'm getting is conflicting advice. While the Home Office website advises dual nationals that we should be allowed to board a plane to the UK without an ETA, I don't want to risk being turned away at Heathrow for either travelling without an ETA, withholding information on my ETA form, or possessing an expired passport. We feel devastated and defeated, with no choice but to cancel our travel to the UK. This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and we are faced with losing $26,000 (£19,200) in flights, car rental and accommodation and are left wondering why entry for British dual citizens is so much harder than for tourists. I also worry for myself – and others – what would happen if I needed to travel if a family member was sick or dying. - Mary, California I can well understand your frustration. The ETA scheme has been phased in since early January and it appears you are not the only ones to be baffled by the rules – many other dual British nationals are experiencing the same problem. Currently, the UK Home Office seems unable to provide a solution beyond the advice on its ETA Factsheet which states: 'We recommend that all British citizens travel on a valid British passport to avoid unnecessary delays at the border… As an alternative, British dual citizens can evidence their citizenship in another passport by obtaining a certificate of entitlement on However, with just 10 days to go before you travel, obtaining either a valid UK passport or a certificate of entitlement is, as you say, not an option. I spoke to the Home Office on your behalf and was advised verbally that you should be allowed to board a plane with an expired passport but there was no confirmation that your family would be allowed to enter the UK when you arrived at Heathrow. Of course, without an ETA, you are unable to simply use your US passport upon arriving in Britain as you did the last time you came here in 2019. The ETA factsheet goes on to state: 'We recognise that the introduction of the ETA is a substantial change for British dual citizens of ETA eligible nationalities. In the current transition period, we do not expect carriers to deny boarding to passengers who cannot produce a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement.' This would suggest you can enter the UK with your US passport and an expired UK passport, but the Home Office is unwilling to say so on record. Your airline, United, would not confirm to me that you will be allowed to board, and simply referred me back to when I contacted them on your behalf. Scouring blogs, social media forums and media coverage for expatriates in ETA-eligible countries, the situation is being described as 'a shambles' but it appears people facing this quandary are coming to the UK on expired passports or using an ETA and the valid passport they hold for the country where they now live, falsely claiming on the ETA form that they do not have dual citizenship. The latter option – lying on an immigration form – is risky and understandably not one we would condone nor that you wish to pursue, especially with teenagers in tow. There is one last option, and that is to apply for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) for yourself and your three children. While ETDs are not designed for leisure travel, the Home Office told me verbally that if you have held valid UK passports since 2006 (and yours only expired in 2017), then there is no requirement to prove the reason for emergency travel. Applying for an ETD takes 48 hours and may involve an interview with the nearest embassy, but could provide the peace of mind you need to proceed with your desperately longed-for holiday. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
