'It's Going To Be OK. You'll Live': A Polish Volunteer Paramedic On The Ukrainian Front Line

Damian Duda is a military paramedic from Poland who has volunteered to save lives on the front line near the eastern Ukrainian city of Soledar. He volunteered to work in Ukraine in 2014 and returned in 2022.
Originally published at - www.rferl.org/a/polish-volunt...
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[@ryanhartnett530]

The paramedics are the unsung heroes of this war. Glory to the heroes💙💛

[@andrewkopach2640]

💙

[@susanaqueiroz9366]

🙏 💙💙💛💛

[@MrThunderlight]

As a Pole I'm proud of these men

[@ivancho5854]

You deserve to be. We are all proud of them and all the Poles. 🇵🇱👍 Slava Ukraine. 🇺🇦🇬🇧

[@SuperLaplander]

Im Swedish and Im also proud of those Poles! Slava Ukraini!

[@user-sz6nz8hc6n]

Цветы на могилки носить не забывай!

[@nightengale7163]

Me too! 🇺🇲❤️🇵🇱

[@wilhelmvalo]

🥹🙏🌻 Эта война показала, что поляки истинные анти-фашисты, как корчится руская нацисткая нечисть от любви между нашими братскиси народами♥️💋🩶

[@mrHBarry]

I'm not Ukrainian, I'm not even European but I want to thank all the people who help and support Ukraine. Slava Ukraine.

[@u.h.h4915]

✨💙👍🏻💛✨

[@thefisherking78]

Героям слава 🤘

[@pepperminth8085]

Then you're just a Fan boy which is jumping on the "hype-train"

[@jayholder283]

@@pepperminth8085 true story 💯😂😂😂😂🇷🇺 Z

[@philg2415]

Hero. Poland is one of the few countries that understands Putin.

[@konradgoda1842]

Not only Putin, but unfortunately huge number Russians brainwashed by their propaganda

[@kenhunt5153]

Thank you for all you have done Poland.

[@hitfirstandhithard1981]

29 Jan. The fighters of PMC "Wagner" Group found the bodies of foreign mercenaries on the territory of Bakhmut near Vatutina Street. the Ukrainians cut off the heads and hands of the dead in order to hide the number of them and nationality. It is assumed that according to the information from the phones of the mercenaries, they came to Ukraine from Poland and Israel.

[@maciekmadmax]

@@hitfirstandhithard1981 ...And what,ruSSian boy?Anyway,you will lose.

[@karensheehan2878]

Poland shows Europe what a good neighbour is.

[@Jyshrii]

Praise for these brave Polish heroes, and Slava Ukraini!

[@binjuice59]

Bless him and protect him 🇵🇱

[@ian_F.]

Real hero's,

[@davidsmith800]

Poland is going to come out of this conflict as one of the main powers in Europe. They have gained a huge amount of international respect.

[@martinmatusek7298]

These men are doing great job and we all should be proud of them. Keep on rolling! Greetings from Czech Republic!

[@Finnbearl61r]

Fantastic! Way to go Poland!

[@susanwestern6434]

Bless them and keep them safe. Thank you Poland. 🇵🇱

[@sarac.3259]

These guys re-define the word _courage._ lncredible.

[@ivancho5854]

These are such good people doing very hard work. Thank you. ♥️🇵🇱 And thank you for showing this Radio Free Europe. 👍

[@JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

Awesome. Legendary blokes.

[@marybroderick8265]

Extremely brave

[@RuleofFive]

Wow I respect & admire these men so much! Best wishes from the US!🇺🇸🇺🇦

[@nian60]

Thank you to the volunteer paramedics. Medics are just as important as the soldiers. Glory to Ukraine. 💛💙

[@BW-dh7vf]

God Bless Polska and all the wonderful Polish people for all they do!!!

[@mantenimlallengua]

Awesome people!

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

Anyone who doesn’t believe in angels after seeing this is a fool. I send the highest reverence and the greatest thanks to these men, from USA🤗

[@phillycoolinaria855]

True Heroes of the front line

[@annaal7480]

Brawo chlopaki !!!!❤

[@niklasjonssonaberg2952]

Volunteers, real hero's saving ppl lives. Deep respect for these men.

[@Jilke]

You all are HEROES!!! 💪💙💛

[@corrindion]

Wonderfully brave and courageous persons!

[@barbaraduffell8179]

Real heroes! My thanks & prayers for safety!

[@hansericsson7058]

You have my deepest respect and admiration for what you do.

[@u.h.h4915]

🤩🙏🏻🤩

[@mickeberg1234]

Polish hero 🇵🇱🇵🇱🇺🇦🇺🇦🙏

[@paulstevenconyngham7880]

massive respect

[@paintballusa1658]

Thank you for helping in Ukraine 👏🙏🏻

[@ellasmommy9278]

These are the true heroes of this war. Thank you for your service.

[@kjote]

Mega goście.

[@miroslavaharnuskova3717]

Thank you!!!❤ Awesome people👍🏻 Love from Slovakia🇸🇰❤🇺🇦

[@alicehicks9500]

Bravo Bravo brave medics ⚘💜

[@OstblockLatina]

All the volunteers, paramedics, people who bring aid to other people, are angels in disguise. They need to be remembered and thanked no less than soldiers. That was Chopin's monument in Warsaw in the background behind him. I'm doubly proud that my native and a person from my home city does all he does. Many safe returns!

[@6krystian]

Dziękuję za służbe

[@Darryl1963D]

Great job, Polish team. Respect from Australia.

[@ianturpin9180]

A low bow to the medics who race "towards" danger to save the wounded heroyam.

[@aynos629]

That is bravery! May the angels guard over them!

[@martinmachete5144]

True heroes

[@HarrySinanian]

Bless them and their families

[@nightengale7163]

Bless and keep safe these brave Polish medics 🇵🇱⚕️🩺 Glory to Ukraine 💪🇺🇦💙💛🌻✨ 🇺🇲❤️🇺🇦&🇵🇱

[@sashad.7722]

Thank you to all people helping us fight and be alive💙💛🙏

[@stuartgillies1327]

These people are absolute hero’s ❤️

[@MarkErikEE]

Polish heroes at work. May the stars shine brighter! Slava Ukraini!

[@certaindeaf8315]

A cheer for the heroes. 🇺🇸 ❤ 🇺🇦

[@b0w3rick43]

True heroes thank you for doing this work and risking your lifes ❤🙏🙏🙏

[@randyjennings3075]

BALLS OF STEEL! Damn impressive! This makes me so proud of my Polish ancestry and both my maternal grandparents.

[@extanegautham8950]

Absolute Heros...

[@mollyfilms]

Just goes to show that mankind has the ability to not judge those who are in need. Brave men indeed!

[@tashuntka]

Authentic Heros..... We need them more than ever...😪💛😪. Slava Ukrani 🇺🇦💛🇺🇦💛🇺🇦💛🇺🇦💛🇺🇦💛🇺🇦

[@heathercraig526]

Such brave heros🙏🙏they return safely to their families❤️❤️

[@wandah9468]

Until Ukraine is free. May God protect these guys as they do all they can to save lives. Until Ukraine is free.🇺🇦💙💛

[@andrewkopach2640]

💙

[@paulcoverdale8312]

Increadible job fella. Don’t have enough words for the amazin job you guys do. Huge respect❤❤❤❤❤

[@rekstok]

Thanks for your kindness. Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@fairybeliever4479]

God bless their souls ❤

[@edmundwaite7866]

This comes as no suprise. I've had the honor to serve with the Polish in Afghanistan! Fine Soldiers. Always ready, willing and able to support the fight!

[@veronikajordan4918]

Thanks for your work ❤️👍🏼 I'm proud of you! God bless you. 🙏 ⛑️ Greetings from Germany

[@thefisherking78]

Noble work

[@LukaszBrzadkowski]

Szacunek Panowie!

[@Ed_Stuckey]

Chwała bohaterom. 🤍♥

[@richardf9137]

GOD BESS THESE HEROES!!

[@susanmojgani9844]

Thank you for this wonderful piece, and thank you to the brave medics featured here.

[@hartless76]

🙏🏻 Praying for all of these brave people! Thank you for your service. Thank you for proving that there is still Good in a world filled with Evil.

[@lawrencealger3812]

Her are some heroes!

[@imaginemetoo]

Deep admiration for our polish cousins 💙💛 Angels 🇵🇱❤️ SLAVA UKRAINI HEROES 🇺🇦 SLAVA POLAND HEROES 🇵🇱✌️

[@FadedResolutions]

Imagine dialing 911 and some dudes roll up in a mini van with shrapnel holes. Legends lol.

[@cookhousehero]

A compelling story. True heros. I'm never going to complain about my passive-aggressive,, control -freak boss again. I'm alive, have food, a job, running water, heat, and an active brain. I was recently attacked by a homeless person and have strong PTSD. This report brought me back to Earth. Thank you for doing this...

[@rochelleb973]

🙏❤️

[@ARobbieC]

Thank you for risking your lives, to save lives. You have the respect and love of everyone in the world with a gram of compassion. Slava Ukraini !

[@dougcoombes8497]

So many amazing people have stepped up to personally face down the Russian genocide in Ukraine. It refreshes my faith in humanity.

[@lyn.267]

so hard to be a medic you can see the wounded they suffered. Hopefully the war will end soon 🙏.

[@johntait491]

A good, well filmed and edited video. Thank you RFERL..!! 👍

[@virginiaoflaherty2983]

I love this man and every word he said. Be grateful you have a piece of bread to eat, you are alive to chew it. He is a blessing in this world.

[@polskiponuryzniwiarz2662]

trzymaj się mocno, tak jak my, Polacy, bądźmy silni bracie, niech bóg będzie z tobą 🙏

[@petrumoldovan2598]

I must be somewhat easy to them to talk with Ukrainians because the Western Ukrainian dialect is close to Polish. Respect for these volunteers 😀

[@maxalbon9557]

It's not. Totally different language.

[@trex700ful]

NO, Polski to Polski , a Ukraiński to Ukraiński

[@petrumoldovan2598]

@@trex700ful I must say that Western Ukrainian is close to Polish, Northern Ukrainian is close to Belarus and Southern Ukrainian is close to Russian, the so called Southern Russian language which is also spoken in Belgorod and Voronej and Kursk. This is not my fantasy, that'd wat the Ukrainians are saying.

[@trex700ful]

@@petrumoldovan2598 Don't do Russian propaganda - Polish is Polish , Ukrainian is Ukrainian, Russki is Russki.

[@petrumoldovan2598]

@@trex700ful Timothy Snyder says that they are some 54 sub-dialects of 3 main dialects - Western close to Polish, Northern to Belarussian and Southern close to Russian. He might be an idiot, but he is a professor to the Yale University. so, I tend to believe him more than you.

[@mariadorosariodaraujofaria7705]

Um herói! Mostra que nem tudo está mal no mundo

[@Sara-fd7cf]

🙏🙏🙏

[@paulwarren4947]

Hmmm. I can't even begin to fathom how difficult it must be for their families. 😯

[@johnquinn456]

This is a quality human being.

[@Weisior]

Przekozaki! Panie i panowie pomagający sąsiadom w tej arcytrudnej chwili w najwspanialszy możliwy sposób - ratując życie, jesteście współczesnymi BOHATERAMI! Wspaniali, kochani rodacy wróćcie cali i zdrowi!

[@fasx56]

Risking their own lives to save others; a simple definition of a hero and wonderful human being.

[@anastasiiatsapenko6695]

As a Ukrainian, I give heartfelt thanks. Thank you, dear Poles, for helping us in this difficult time. 🙏

[@sumiland6445]

💛💙💜💙💛 God, please bless and protect Ukrainians and ALL WHO DEFEND UKRAINE! They are all heroes 🇺🇦 🌏 🇺🇸 🇵🇱

[@julesmatthews2178]

These guys deserve medals absolutely brilliant 👏👏

[@JustynaJuse]

Lots of love from Lithuania, stay safe! ❤

[@merlegouveris3166]

God Bless all these volunteers. They are so needed.

[@poorplayer9249]

These people embody the very essence and spirit of sisu! They help me to renew my own hope.

[@jessicaaguilar6435]

I am so proud of you guys and you are very fortunate to have the chance and opportunity to be in Ukraine and other war torn countries helping and saving lives...God bless and protect everyone! May this war stop now! Slava Ukraine and peace to all of Europe and the world!

[@johanvanbeek7138]

War definitely makes you appreciate life.

[@nunomartins9764]

Great Human Beings. That's for sure! My respect and thanks for them.

[@agrimensor6406]

God Bless you Sir !!! God Bless Ukraine !!!

[@geegaw1535]

I do pray a break, no, a stop to this war. Even peace for a little while. People can try to heal Prayers to all the people of the world where ever you may be.

[@alejandrosotomartin9720]

You are doing great Damian.

[@sa4kok]

Thank you, save muore. God blees you

[@tommykankare6775]

God bless those brave men!! 🙏

[@gregmontalvo2737]

I hope there is some kind of fund to support these guys when they retire.

[@emiliat.5881]

If I see these war videos, it comes to me every time, the insanity of war! Good that there are people like you!