You can also listen to this interview here.
Today, we will get some insights into what it is like to be part of the MOAS Ukraine team saving lives on the frontline. We have the privilege of speaking with Yuriy Soroka, a medic with MOAS on the frontline in Ukraine. From navigating through conflict zones to providing critical medical care, Yuriy and the rest of our brave team demonstrate incredible dedication and compassion in the face of adversity every day. Thanks to their tireless work, MOAS has saved 40.000 lives since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in 2022.
So thank you so much for joining us today Yuriy!
Thank you for having me on the podcast!
First of all, could you tell us what exactly the MOAS Ukraine team is doing on a daily basis and what your role is specifically?
The MOAS Ukraine team plays a unique role in collaborating with Ukrainian authorities to treat and evacuate critically injured patients in the warzone where medical services are disrupted. As a critical care medic, my responsibility is to lead an ambulance crew consisting of two medics and a driver. Our tasks include triage, treatment of the wounded, and transporting critically injured patients to definitive care for further surgical treatment.
What was your journey to becoming a critical care medic with MOAS in Ukraine? What inspired you to pursue this path?
I’m a Ukrainian American, and for the past ten years, I’ve worked in various intensive care specialties in different hospitals. When Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I felt compelled to help my people. After receiving combat medicine training, I flew to Ukraine through Poland in June 2022 and began searching for opportunities to serve. I’ve called recruitment offices looking for a unit to join. But they were mostly looking for foreigners with combat experience which I did not have. Then I listened to an interview with MOAS doctor and contacted him on LinkedIn, quickly applied, and got accepted!
I admire your determination to find a way to help! The team is definitely lucky to have you. If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask some questions about your experiences on the frontline. Firstly, what does a typical day look like for you and the team if there is even such a thing for you?
A typical day for a MOAS crew can generally involve one of two options. You can be assigned to a pool of MOAS ambulances on a 24/7 call, dispatched to pick up casualties at specific locations. We convene for a huddle at 8 o’clock in the morning, with crews alternating between rest after an overnight trip, and assigned chores such as kitchen duties, janitorial tasks, and ambulance maintenance/restocking. Another option is to work at a frontline treatment location, like a makeshift trauma bay, collaborating with Ukrainian army medical personnel to triage and stabilize patients, and then transport them to a distant hospital for surgery while keeping them stable.
It seems like there is always a lot to do. Could you share with us some memorable moments or experiences from your work?
My second assignment in the rural Kharkiv area during the summer of 2022 remains unforgettable. Amidst the vast and scenic fields of sunflower and wheat that reminded me of my childhood on my grandparents’ farm, we were stationed at a medical platoon with the Ukrainian army. With no running water, we slept on the floor of an abandoned rural clinic near the frontline. It was surreal—witnessing farmers harvesting crops while we treated wounded soldiers covered in blood. We were blessed by the availability of MOAS all-wheel-drive trucks for evacuations across the challenging terrain when it rained, as the army did not have off-road capable ambulances with ICU equipment.
This all sounds very taxing – physically and emotionally. What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work, and how do you overcome them?
The severity of trauma in my patients presents my greatest challenge. I’m continuously learning to prepare myself for the most difficult injury cases, with our team sharing expertise, adding more medical equipment, and constantly evolving.
Can you describe a challenging case or situation that stands out to you, and how you managed it?
One of the most challenging cases involved a young soldier with complex blast chest trauma and extensive burn injuries. During a long 4-hour evacuation trip, about 15 minutes from our destination on a bumpy road, my patient’s condition rapidly deteriorated. Implementing emergency critical care measures, we arrived at a Burn Center only to find a lack of high-flow oxygen and critical care capacity at that facility. We stayed with the patient to stabilise him and advocated for transfer to a more advanced hospital.
That sounds like a very intense situation and I’m sure you’ve faced many other difficulties throughout your time on the frontline. How do you cope with the emotional toll of witnessing human suffering and tragedy on a regular basis?
After years of working in healthcare, I’ve learned to control my emotions in critical situations by focusing on treating the patient for the best possible outcome. Bearing responsibility for someone’s life is daunting, and prayer is crucial to managing stress and carrying out my duties.
What motivates you to continue this challenging work despite the risks and hardships involved?
I always bear in mind that saving lives brings us closer to victory and peace. I also think of the families awaiting their loved ones to return from the war, alive. It’s a privilege for me to serve alongside the Ukrainian people in their existential battle – for the sake of their future and the future of the whole free world.
If you would like to support the work of the MOAS team in Ukraine, we will have a link in the description for you to donate. Everything helps!
That’s it for now from my side. Thank you so much for your time Yuriy and for sharing these incredible insights into your life on the frontline! Your dedication to saving lives and providing essential care is honestly inspiring and I wish you all the best!
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