ORLANDO, Fla. — Ukrainians in Central Florida as well as Central Floridians with ties to Ukraine are glad to see the Ukrainian President’s visit to the U.S., along with the support that comes along with it.
The visit comes 300 days and nearly 10 months after the war began – a war that has taken its toll on Ukraine and its people.
What You Need To Know
- Ukrainians and those with ties to Ukraine are happy to see President Zelenskyy's visit to the U.S.
- Ukrainian supporters see the visit as a sign of renewed U.S. support for Ukraine in its war with Russia
- Revived Soldiers Ukraine is helping fit injured Ukrainian soldiers with prosthetic limbs at Prosthetic and Orthotic Associates in Central Florida
Andrii Nasada is one of several Ukrainian soldiers now getting help through a group in Central Florida called Revived Soldiers Ukraine.
While fighting against Russia in Ukraine, Nasada lost an eye, and both of his legs. That was just five months ago. He’s now trying out new prosthetic legs.
“I’m hoping I will be able to walk,” said Nasada. “As you can see it’s just standing up slowly, it’s trying the legs for now.”
Nasada had already fought in a previous conflict with Russia back in 2014. Back in February 2022, when Russian’s invasion of Ukraine began, Nasada left his job as a builder and volunteered to fight to defend his country again. In July, his military vehicle was hit during heavy fire and Nasada was critically injured.
“Of course it’s disappointing that it ended up for me this way, but it’s worth it,” said Nasada.
Iryna Dicipio is from Ukraine, but now lives in Central Florida and founded Revived Soldiers Ukraine. It covers the costs of the prosthetics and connects them with Prosthetic & Orthotic Associates, which fits them with artificial limbs.
“Due to a lack of funding in the government everything goes to the war and those guys are kind of left behind right now,” said Dicipio.
Dicipio credits Ukrainian’s success to the bravery of men like Nasada.
“I went to my city which was destroyed, and I cannot imagine what people went through – the horror – they tried to evacuate all the people who got chopped in the city – if it wasn’t for these guys, it would be much, much harder for Ukrainians,” said Dicipio.
Nasada says weapons from the U.S. helped him and other soldiers defend Ukraine.
“The land-lease that the U.S. provided, I used that as well, and it did help a lot at least to stop Russians as we tried to get our territories back,” said Nasada.
And he hopes President Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington means the U.S. is committed to continue helping Ukraine defend itself.
“We’re hoping that his will give us better results in receiving defense weapons,” said Nasada.
Nasada’s days fighting have likely come to an end. He’s turning his focus on recovery and gaining back his mobility.
But Dicipio says her non-profit has helped several soldiers who have then returned to the battlefield in Ukraine. Unfortunately, she says a couple of those soldiers have lost their lives in the war.
