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U.S. surgeons restore Ukrainian soldier’s remaining eye in Kyiv

By Drooid · Oct 23, 2026, 10:27 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

U.S. Surgeons Reconstruct Eye

U.S. surgeons performed reconstructive eye surgery on Ukrainian soldier Mykola Kasiuk in Kyiv.
He lost an eye when a land mine exploded on April 16, 2024 in eastern Ukraine.
He rejected doctors’ suggestion to remove his remaining eye, hoping to see his children.
U.S. oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Stuart Seiff led the operation for Vision for Ukraine.
Surgeons restored eye movement and grafted skin from behind his ear, enabling a corneal transplant.

Summary

Ayudag-6 Evacuates Soldier

A Gurzuf Defence Heavy Shot Ayudag-6 hexacopter performed the first combat evacuation of a wounded Ukrainian soldier.
The modified bomber can lift up to 130 kg and carried the soldier over 300 feet, flying 11 miles at twilight.
Vampire bomber drones provided a diversion, with one shot down as artillery bombarded Russian take-off points.
Coordination involved the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade, 30th Mechanised Brigade, 10th Army Corps and intel chief Alex.

History

Historical Context

In June 1917 Harold Gillies opened the Queen’s Hospital at Sidcup, a dedicated facial-reconstruction unit with more than 1,000 beds. The centre performed over 11,000 operations on more than 5,000 soldiers, establishing techniques that later shaped modern plastic and oculoplastic surgery. Today those methods underpin advanced wound-care and aerial evacuation strategies in contemporary conflicts.

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U.S. Surgeons Reconstruct Eye

U.S. surgeons performed reconstructive eye surgery on Ukrainian soldier Mykola Kasiuk in Kyiv.
He lost an eye when a land mine exploded on April 16, 2024 in eastern Ukraine.
He rejected doctors’ suggestion to remove his remaining eye, hoping to see his children.
U.S. oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Stuart Seiff led the operation for Vision for Ukraine.
Surgeons restored eye movement and grafted skin from behind his ear, enabling a corneal transplant.

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