Ukraine - Wounded soldier returns to war _ DW Documentary

Johor Olenik was lucky to survive .

The Ukrainian was fighting against the Russian invaders right on the front line .

But then he stepped on a mine and was gravely injured .

I wanted to shoot myself , but then I thought about my parents and how it was only one leg .

I have my knee so I can run .

The soldier lost his leg while an amputation would mean the end of fighting for most Olenik wants to continue .

But why take this huge risk ?

He is alive , able to walk and shoot .

His medical treatment lasted months , but just knowing that he can fight again has helped him process his anger .

I went out and shot my weapon at them .

That helped me deal .

It is his way of coming to terms with his experiences .

These soldiers are training in eastern Ukraine .

They have just returned from the front line .

Yor is 20 years old , but despite being so young , he is one of the most experienced soldiers here .

He volunteered for the army when he was 18 before the war had started .

We took the position back on September 29th .

This is a position we had taken that has destroyed equipment .

The emotions were overwhelming , just unbelievable .

There in the trench is a dead Russian Liberator .

Just after the soldier was injured , he and his team had taken a Russian position , was checking the trench when it must have been a butterfly .

Mine .

I stepped on .

They were scattered around .

I fell and didn't understand what had happened .

I looked at my leg , but it wasn't there and my hand was broken , was evacuated and his leg amputated .

He spent seven months in hospital , followed by rehab .

He had to learn to readjust .

His family protested , but he was already set on his decision .

He wants to go back to the front line .

I was on vacation and my friends at the time were sitting at home just drinking and hanging out .

I asked them what they were doing , but they didn't have an answer .

I lost so many friends .

They talk , but they don't actually do anything .

Y ended several friendships .

He expected more more readiness to sacrifice themselves more patriotism five weeks later , and Yor is about 2000 kilometres away in Lile in southern Norway .

He has been receiving treatment here for a month thanks to a private Norwegian initiative that cares for wounded Ukrainian soldiers .

In addition to being treated here , your is getting a new prosthesis .

This prosthetic foot is more flexible , the cushioning is better and the bones aren't being impacted .

It's wonderful .

The new prosthesis should make his life easier , even as a soldier on the battlefield today , he is getting some adjustments made .

Hi .

Hello .

Welcome to Yeah , Yeah , my heart .

Yeah .

Is there meant to be a click ?

So you need to get in Rich .

So it's OK , I've got it .

Yeah , sure , it feels more secure now .

I can trust it more , but when I do this , it feels like it's falling off .

Protist .

Hannah Kristen Ha ha is facing several challenges at once because he's young and he should have been out with friends and girlfriends and everything not going into war .

And it's difficult because I don't like know what what the soldier with the prostheses need .

I don't know if this is going to work or if something will break or something .

So owes his stay in Norway to the clinic's employees .

The doctors have extensive experience treating amputees , which is why they have offered to take in Ukrainian soldiers .

Director Oshin Top is one of the initiators when I see him running in the trenches .

Uh , I've done that , but only in in rehearsal and in safe environments as a former soldier to considers it as his duty to help .

People are quite proud that we are doing this .

They see this .

Not that we are not proud of all the health care that we give , but to contribute in something that's bigger than just the ordinary Norwegian patient living in a safe and sound society .

So it's a small contribution , but we are proud of .

It spends five weeks here in Total , together with fellow soldier and amputee Dior Sobolik , who also suffered a mine explosion .

Despite being far from the battlefield , neither of them are able to switch off .

It's as though there are two different worlds over there is war , but here there is peace and everything is calm .

On the other side , chaos rules supreme .

The days inside the clinic are packed and include strength training and physiotherapy .

For instance , with trainer Ellen , does it hurt ?

No , it's all fine .

The redness is normal .

I've just put on the prosthesis , Irina Sobek translates .

She is the head doctor here and left Ukraine 30 years ago .

She takes care of the soldiers personally .

How are you ?

How has the new prosthesis been ?

It felt good in the beginning , but my leg was hurting when I got back .

Ellen advises against fitting the prosthesis yourself is having difficulty with a new prosthesis .

The Ukrainian prosthesis was slightly adjusted , and it fits me .

I can be in it all day , walk , ride a bike , work intensively even when using a punching bag .

I can't do that with this one , but here the foot is better .

It's OK .

I'll adjust to it .

Hope is the the doctors say .

Another operation could help him , though , but the 39 year old has other plans right now .

Here in Norway , both want to gather strength for what is still to come .

Demit has chosen to leave the military and look for work instead of returning to the war .

But his future is uncertain , as his previous job in the steel industry is no longer available because of the war .

Who is outside Ukraine for the first time in his life , explains to us that Norway has inspired him .

He wants to travel more in the future , but right now he is drawn to the front , which he appears to be eagerly awaiting .

Being just 20 years old , he has little experience apart from fighting .

I'm not fearful after what happened .

As long as no more arms or legs are ripped off me , then I might reconsider .

If yo has to come back here again , then I'll really think about it .

He will sit in this position and they will be metal on metal .

They joke around when things get serious in particular is good at not letting things get to him .

Sometimes it does get me down , too .

I have been together with guys who have fought alongside me since the day after we were drafted and they're still fighting .

It's good , they're still whole .

I wanted to go back every day in those first few months after my injury .

Did you want revenge ?

Yes , more than anything .

But then time goes by .

You adjust a normal life .

I have a son to raise .

There is one final examination before they can go back .

Nurse , Toil and Dr Irina were impressed by the two soldiers .

Perseverance , our other patients are encouraged by seeing them .

They learn what is possible with the prosthesis .

In turn , it helps the employees be even more motivated .

When I left Ukraine for Estonia , Latvia and finally here , I missed that Ukrainian spirit .

But it returned in a new way .

Thanks to these two , they share a special relationship .

It's like being with my parents .

Some things are just not allowed .

It's as though I'm at home with family releasing them , and the knowledge that they will return to Ukraine is difficult .

It's hard not to cry .

I know the boys are returning to a country at war , and we don't know what the outcome will be .

It's so hard .

I have no words .

Let's talk about something more positive .

They will go back to his hometown and gear to his unit .

He has the option to stay here , build a life study and work .

But he is drawn back to his country .

His comrades are engaging in trench warfare on the front line .

Yor wants to join them despite all of the sacrifices and perhaps because of them