"It was a miracle": War correspondent wounded in Russian attack sings carols in hospital

Ivan Lyubysh-Kirdey, a Ukrainian Reuters cameraman and war correspondent who was injured during a strike on a hotel in Kramatorsk, is recovering and even has carolled on Christmas Eve.

Source: Mariia Semenchenko, Ivan’s wife, on Facebook

Details: Friends of Ivan organised a Nativity play for him inside the hospital. A video of the event was shared by Ivan’s wife.

On 24 August, Russian forces struck the Sapphire Hotel, injuring foreign journalists. Among them was Ivan Lyubysh-Kirdey, who suffered severe injuries and fell into a coma. He had been close to the explosion’s epicentre.

A month later, on 23 September, Ivan emerged from the coma and by 3 October, he regained consciousness and began speaking.

Quote from Ivan’s wife: "When Ivan was in a coma, not resembling his usual self due to severe injuries, I just wanted him to survive. The doctors told me to hope for the best but be ready for the worst – the injuries were too severe, too much for one person. It was terrifying, but I never doubted him for a moment.

No one knew if Ivan would wake up, and if he did, whether he would still be Ivan. There were so many questions with no answers. I remember asking one of the doctors at the Mechnikov Hospital if Ivan could hear me and he briefly replied that it was unlikely – it was a second-degree coma. But minutes later, one of the nurses told me: ‘Of course, he can hear you. Talk to him, guide him with your voice’." 

More details: On Christmas Eve, 24 December, friends and colleagues of Ivan organised a Nativity play in the hospital lobby.

Quote from Ivan’s wife: "A week earlier, Ivan had asked for his accordion and said he wanted to carol (anyone who knows Ivan knows about his yearly carolling with friends). He was very anxious – worried about whether anyone would come, whether he could play well with just his left hand and whether he’d remember the carol lyrics." 

Despite all his worries, Mariia said the Nativity play was a success.

Quote from Ivan’s wife: "And what happened was the most beautiful carolling in the world. You know, Ivan has come back. That was the moment I dreamed of during those terrifying August days. But it was even better. It was a miracle."

Earlier, a Ukrainian defender had embraced sports and learned to shoot a bow despite losing an arm and a leg.

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