Photo: Hromadske Radio
A cottage town is being constructed in Rivne Region to provide rehabilitation housing for wounded soldiers. The modular complex, consisting of 10 houses, is being built on the grounds of the Rivne Regional Hospital for War Veterans.
According to Oleksandr Koval, head of the Rivne Regional State Administration, the houses will be fully operational by 1 November.
«One of the houses is already fully equipped. Simply put, it is a cottage with a bed, a small living room, a kitchen, a refrigerator—everything necessary for the military to stay. All standards are met to ensure that a person with a disability can live comfortably and undergo rehabilitation in peace», — Koval explained.
Each house can accommodate two soldiers, or a soldier can stay with one of their relatives.
Vitaliy Koval stated that regional authorities are allocating around UAH 3 million to the project, covering the arrangement and improvement of the surrounding territory. The majority of the costs, however, are being funded by Nova Poshta, with the project costing UAH 25 million, according to company representative Ivan Polishchuk.
«Currently, more than 3,000 Nova Poshta employees are serving in the Armed Forces. Many are returning. We’ve been thinking about building a rehabilitation center for a long time. We couldn’t find a better location in Rivne region than the Klevan War Veterans Hospital, so we decided to invest in this project. I believe this is the least we can do for those who defend us», — said Polishchuk.
Andriy Burachyk, head of the Rivne Regional Hospital for War Veterans, mentioned that the soldiers will live in the modular houses during the final stage of their rehabilitation, just before they are discharged home.
«Many wounded patients, especially those needing psychological rehabilitation, benefit from living with their families to gradually reintegrate into civilian life», — Burachyk said.
Doctors will decide which soldiers will live in the modular houses. Additionally, Burachyk noted that the hospital will seek staff to maintain and care for the houses.
As a reminder, U.S. President Joe Biden has decided to transfer Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) tactical missiles to Ukraine. The AGM-154 JSOW (Joint Standoff Weapon) is a tactical missile that functions as a guided cruise missile. Its warhead can weigh up to 450 kilograms, with a maximum range of 64 km.