Doctors save life of Ukraine volunteer attacked in Lithuania

Laimonas Karpičius, a Lithuanian who had been volunteering in Ukraine since the full-scale Russian invasion began, is expressing profound gratitude to the surgical team at Alytus County S. Kudirka Hospital. Karpičius's life was saved by the medical staff after he sustained severe, multiple injuries during a brutal assault in his hometown of Alytus.

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Broken ribs and collarbones, internal bleeding, damaged liver, fractured skull, broken fingers on my left hand, and many other bodily injuries… I want to thank the entire surgical department staff for their professionalism, help, and warm communication. I will always be grateful to surgeon Robertas Kačinskas for saving my life. I am glad that such professionals work in my city.

The incident occurred on June 9, when Karpičius was walking home late at night. He was attacked by a group of four youths near a school stadium. They demanded cigarettes, and upon his refusal, they began beating him with baseball bats and an iron object. Karpičius suffered broken ribs and collarbones, internal bleeding, a damaged liver, a fractured skull, and broken fingers on his left hand, among other injuries.

Despite the severity of his injuries, Karpičius managed to reach his home before collapsing. He called an ambulance, but was unable to walk to it himself upon their arrival. He underwent surgery and received treatment at the Alytus hospital, where he praised the professionalism and care of the entire surgical department staff.

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I was in a store and was walking home around 9:30 p.m. past the stadium of the Alytus Dainava Primary School. The youths demanded cigarettes, but when I refused, I suddenly felt the first blow with a baseball bat from behind, then I was hit in the head from the front with some iron object. I managed to escape somehow, and under the influence of adrenaline, I was able to run home and even climb to the 5th floor. I still managed to call an ambulance, but when they arrived, I collapsed and could no longer walk to the car on my own feet.

Karpičius, a former 14-year veteran of the Lithuanian army and a trained paramedic who previously worked in the UK, felt compelled to help in Ukraine after the invasion. He initially trained soldiers in first aid in Lviv and later participated in evacuations and served in active combat zones. He was on a short leave in Lithuania when the attack happened and was due to return to Ukraine at the end of June. He informed his international legion commanders about the drastic change in his plans.

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I have many friends in Ukraine, so when the fateful February 24, 2022, dawned, I received their calls. There was no doubt that I could help somehow, and after packing my belongings and saying goodbye to my then-employer, I left for Lithuania. I prepared myself there within a week and then set off for Ukraine. At first, I trained soldiers in Lviv on how to provide first aid, then I had to evacuate wounded soldiers and be in the hottest spots.

Despite the ordeal, Karpičius remains resolute. He plans to return to Ukraine once he has recovered, believing that his survival indicates he still has a life mission to fulfill. He stated he is not afraid to die, and if he survived such a severe beating in his hometown, it must mean his time has not yet come.

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I am not afraid to die. And if I am still alive after being beaten like this in my hometown, then perhaps it is not my destiny to die yet. Apparently, I am still destined to continue fulfilling my life's mission.