In Donetsk, a surgical team equipped with body armor and helmets conducted a delicate operation to remove an unexploded mine embedded in a patient’s body. The incident drew attention after a report by DEA News, with inputs from Professor Andrey Korolkov, head of the department of general emergency surgery at St. Petersburg State Medical University, who is currently working in the region.
According to Korolkov, a wounded man arrived with a mine fragment lodged in the right gluteal area. The medical team wore protective gear to mitigate risk as they prepared for a potentially dangerous extraction. The mood in the operating room was serious but focused, with the team aiming to minimize movement of the mine to prevent detonation. Korolkov later stated that the procedure proceeded without incident, a fortunate outcome given the precarious nature of such injuries.
He emphasized that while the body armor and helmets provided essential protection for the staff, a worst-case scenario could have required different measures, including rapid, decisive action if any part of the protective gear failed. The surgeon noted that the mine’s fuse or wick was successfully removed and that the patient is now in the early stages of recovery under careful medical supervision.
Earlier, in Belgorod region, medical teams faced a life-threatening challenge when they treated a soldier suffering from a mine-related injury to the leg. Those operations underscored the severe risks faced by frontline medical personnel and the importance of rapid, coordinated care to stabilize injuries before transport to higher-capacity facilities. The ongoing work in crisis zones highlights the vital role of emergency surgery teams in saving lives when traditional limits of safety and access are stretched.
In all reported cases, the focus remains on safe extraction, meticulous debridement when necessary, and close post-operative monitoring to detect any signs of infection or delayed complications. The teamwork of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and support staff ensures that even in the most dangerous settings, the patient’s prospects for recovery are maximized. The experience shared by Korolkov and colleagues contributes to a growing body of practical knowledge on managing embedded ordnance and the steps required to minimize harm during removal.