Mariupol defender Anton Kobylnyk completes comprehensive rehabilitation through the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation and Azovstal Heart

Mariupol defender Anton Kobylnyk has completed a rehabilitation course under the Health programme, implemented by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation in partnership with the Azovstal Heart NGO.

At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Anton Kobylnyk, a marine of the 36th Brigade, defended Mariupol. During one of the battles in the city, an enemy tank struck the building where the servicemen were sheltering. The blast trapped Anton beneath a concrete slab. Despite this, he not only survived but also pulled his fellow serviceman, Oleksandr Didur, from under the rubble. Despite suffering a concussion and his own injuries, Anton managed to carry the wounded soldier to the medics on his own, saving his life.

Their paths later diverged. Anton continued defending Mariupol, attempted to break out of the encirclement, and was later taken prisoner. He spent 37 months and 11 days in captivity, enduring daily torture, abuse and psychological pressure from the russian military.

After returning home, he began his recovery by completing a comprehensive rehabilitation programme through the Azovstal Heart project, which significantly improved his condition.

"I would like to thank Rinat Leonidovych for creating such a wonderful Foundation that helps our servicemen. He is a man with a big heart, a person who is doing truly good work," says Anton.

After three years of uncertainty, Anton also finally learned what had happened to the comrade whose life he had saved in 2022. Oleksandr Didur also spent 15 months in captivity. After returning home, he received comprehensive support through the Azovstal Heart project: he completed rehabilitation, received housing and mastered a new profession. Today, he works as a post-traumatic growth coach and is already helping Anton find new meaning after everything he has been through, supporting him during his studies under the Future programme.

"I decided to study psychology because I genuinely want to help people, especially servicemen," Anton says.

The story of these two defenders of Mariupol is an example of post-traumatic growth in action. It shows how veterans not only recover themselves but also become a reliable source of support for their comrades.

Through the Health programme, the Azovstal Heart project of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation provides comprehensive medical and psychological rehabilitation for the defenders of Mariupol and their families.