Frontline medics face severe threats in Ukraine conflict
A medic at war in Ukraine is among the primary targets for the Russians, according to paramedic Sylwester Winiarski. The average lifespan of a medic is only three months.
In the war in Ukraine, medics are particularly 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 fought against guerilla 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 quick air transport impossible, forcing reliance on wheeled vehicles exposed to mines and shelling.
Winiarski notes that the war in Ukraine resembles World War II more than other armed conflicts that erupted afterward.
He highlights the new challenges posed by the war in Ukraine. Medics must operate in extreme conditions, often without the possibility of quickly transporting the wounded. Tactical blood transfusions on the battlefield are being introduced, which is 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 others' lives and teach that skill, is like hitting the bullseye for the enemy, he explains, emphasizing that the average lifespan of a paramedic on the front line is just three months.
Winiarski underscores that despite the difficult conditions, medics and soldiers are trained in basic medical procedures, increasing their survival chances.
Advanced medicine is moving closer to the front line. For example, Ukrainians are already performing tactical blood transfusions on the battlefield, says Winiarski.
