'It's Like A Gift From Heaven': Shelled And Looted Ukrainian Hospital Reopens Its Doors

A hospital in the city of Balaklia in Ukraine's Kharkiv region has reopened after state and international funds were used to repair and reequip it. Medical staff say the hospital was shelled by Russian forces.
Originally published at - www.rferl.org/a/shelled-loote...
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[@paintballusa1658]

Thank you aid workers and volunteers for restoration of this hospital 👏 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

[@SandraSmith-vr2lc]

Thank you to all the volunteers and international aid that helped rebuild the hospital 🏥. I am so glad to see the services being restored as well. SLAVA UKRAINE 🇺🇦.

[@jennyvanwyk4796]

Thanks to who restored the hospital bless 3

[@zytoses9223]

I'm glad international funds were used for this sort of thing, helping rebuild what was needed most and I hope many more will be restored,

[@Aussie-Mocha]

So amazing and heart warming to see this. Well done to all that participated in the reparations and a huge applause to all the docs, surgeons and nurses who continue to work hard regardless of the circumstances! Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@SL-sd3sg]

Ukrainian resilience is monumental 💙💛🇬🇧

[@shooster5884]

Stories like this make it so valuable to keep sending the few pounds, euros, dollars and any other currency each individual who can afford to send to keep doing so. The total and just pure vandalism of the Russians is horrific. Even if they had taken and held the city, they would have destroyed a hospital that their own soldiers would have needed for life saving operations. They act like a troop of monkeys that know the value of nothing.

[@fredblogs]

Even monkeys aren’t as bad as Russian s 💩

[@docinparadise]

Perhaps letters and phone calls to surgical equipment manufacturing companies asking for donations of arthroscopic equipment and whatever other equipment was looted would be effective? Those items are horribly expensive and the companies who make them could at the very least donate some trade-ins. Most countries have such manufacturing companies. We should check out that as an option.

[@BoB10]

Very good to see your hospital open again, and your staff are brilliant people to stay and do the work to save people,

[@stacey_1111rh]

Thank you to all medical and emergency workers in Ukraine. Russia will pay for what they did in this hospital.

[@imaginemetoo]

SLAVA UKRAINI🇺🇦 HEROES 🇺🇦 RESPECT TO THE UKRANIAN PEOPLE! 🇺🇦 PROUD TO SUPPORT UKRAINE 🇺🇦 UKRAINE WILL WIN THE HORDE OF BEASTS ! 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

[@North-of-the-49th]

It'll be wonderful to visit Ukraine one day. Stay strong heroes. 🇺🇦

[@MrTomtomtest]

"They were high or drunk" Sounds like the Orcs... The middle of a war zone is the best place to get high & drunk to them...

[@ivan_0590]

They get high or drunk in Ukraine and in ruzzia. They don't matter the place; they are uncivilized orcs...

[@josephscully4548]

'It was the Ukrainians who shelled you' proceeds to beat up surgeons and starts shooting inside the hospital.

[@inesdamonteines3985]

Russian soldier 1:" How can we pick some free gifts from the hospital??" Russian soldier 2:"Let's shell it so they will run away,blame the Ukrainians as always" Russian soldier 1: "Great idea,they must have lot of toilets to steel"

[@tominmtnvw]

It is beyond the comprehension Why Russia has not Been declared a terrorist state

[@tomkamboures4590]

It has been designated a Terrorist State by the U.S.!

[@stuartmunro2474]

It's not clear who are the greater heroes, the doctors, or the citizens who stand between them and hostile forces, but clearly Ukraine has many people to be proud of, who face their challenges with courage and determination. May you bring the conflict to a successful conclusion soon.

[@thatotherguy7596]

Slava Ukraini 💙🇺🇦💛 Heroyam Slava 💪🇺🇦💙 LONG LIVE THE FIGHTERS 🖐️🔪 🇺🇦 Ukraine's heroes are everywhere. 🇺🇦

[@corazonagoncillo2699]

It is really so amazing and touching that the Ukrainians are so dedicated, resilient,assionate with their work even during this unprovoked war. These doctors are just one concrete proof. Prayers for their safety and blessings to the donors.

[@susansmith9263]

Thank you to all those who helped with the restoration of this Hospital. 💙💛 These Doctors and Nurses, have a huge responsibility to bring smiles on the faces of suffering humanity. 🇺🇲 🇺🇦

[@niKYs007]

Amen God bless Ukraine

[@steakandbob]

Heroyam Slava!

[@manikantakabrabam2610]

I like you 🇺🇦👍🤗🤗🤗

[@Vbluevital]

Great appreciation to all the staff and volunteers who brought the hospital back to life. Slava Ukraine!! 💙💛😘

[@davidlittlefield2483]

Sad tragedy turns into a happy ending.

[@sumiland6445]

💛💙💜💙💛 100% support! 🇺🇦 🌏 🇺🇸

[@jorgericky]

Viva Ucrania 🇺🇦 👍🏼

[@mikeg1174]

Where the Russians destroy and steal there are others who love and help to bring hope again to all. To all the unknown volunteers who helped bring the hospital back, Thank You! Strength to Ukraine!

[@myssixensen7516]

It's so despicable that they would destroy hospitals the way they do... not that they were ever being disparaged in Ukraine, but a hospital turns no one away for care it their purpose, and to destroy them is to bit yourself in the @ss, especially during a war, if you want to live... the fools. I'm just glad it what anle to be reoaired and I hope it will be back at 100% very soon, for the sake of the people... they've been through soo much already. Heroyam Slava!!! SLAVA UKRAINI!!!!

[@sylviasimpson3280]

We will Stand and be with you. From RN Veteran 🇬🇧

[@SL-sd3sg]

Amazing work, Slava Ukraine 🇬🇧

[@anickname202]

❤️🇺🇦✊

[@profefabianaaguero8464]

El "mundo ruso" 🤮

[@ivan_0590]

A mi también me da ganas de vomitar el mundo ruzo.

[@fld9266]

Wonderful resilient people of Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@judithlibertymatias7911]

Praise God 🙏,Victoryto Ukraine soon🙏

[@erinfletcher9060]

Slava Ukraine!!

[@stephanieyee9784]

This is fantastic news for the people of the area and for the staff of the hospital. Hopefully this is the first of many services in the area to come back to the community. Thank you to those who worked hard to get the hospital back up and running. Not just the medical staff but the builders, plumbers, tilers, electricians, and volunteers. Apart from food, clothing and other essentials, this is how donated money should be used. Rebuilding, renovating, refitting services for the citizens.

[@denisedavies5859]

I fully understand that medical services are needed urgently but is there really any point of full restoration while there is war raging all around with possibilities of further strikes? It’s the same with housing repair and reconstruction. I’m lucky to live in a safe environment and perhaps I don’t fully understand the need for normalcy during war. I have the greatest admiration for the Ukrainian nation. They are a first class nation with first class Armed Forces. Ukrainians are truly brave people. Slava Ukraine ❤️❤️🇺🇦🇬🇧❤️❤️

[@phillee2814]

Look back at our own history during the Blitz - we rebuilt even as the war was raging, and slowly managed to reduce the carnage of the last great threat to European security until it was eliminated. Ukraine is doing the same and is in the position we were in 73 years ago. Keep calm and carry on.

[@sylviasimpson3280]

From UK 🇬🇧 💙 ♥️

[@joelgaas858]

Slavàaaaaa Ukrainnnnneeeee! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@xuantran-ok6tr]

Any where the Ruzzia Ocs stop by , that place turn into the haunted land ... Thanks to all contributions to rebuild this hospital !💖🙏

[@rayarthur586]

Thank GOD... SLAVA UKRAINE

[@Victoria-cy2bh]

God save Ukraine!!!

[@618Hellbilly]

The people did that..not the "supernatural"

[@lyn.267]

Only by God's grace and mercy we rely 🙏. Help them Father God to overcome to their enemy.

[@user-vn3uc8zn4j]

Thank you 💕💕💕💕 Slava Ukraini, My Blessings and prayers Go Out to all of Ukraine 💞💞💞💞👍🙏🙏💪💪💪

[@kenhunt5153]

Had to stop watching. Good defeats evil in the end. Only the best to you Ukraine.

[@akoto2136]

Good news!

[@barbmoody4892]

Slava Ukraini💛💙. Heroyam Slava💛💙💛💙

[@billyjohnesterhuizen6340]

GLORY TO GOD AND TO ALL YOU WONDERFUL UKRAINIAN PEOPLE. ALWAYS STAY STRONG

[@randygunn9499]

God has love and health for all his children, you break the Lords words you in big trouble! Glory to the good, Glory to Ukraine.

[@ettoreatalan8303]

Civilization and Muscovites are like electricity and water. Both must be kept separate from each other to avoid casualties.

[@tomasbeno4213]

💙💛

[@francesblabey3055]

You're so brave. ❤🙏

[@fridamaldonado8426]

Prayers for ukraine 💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛🇺🇦🙏🇺🇦🙏🇺🇦🙏🇺🇦🙏🙏

[@kathleenmann7311]

😱 Terrifying ! I will pray for your healing,

[@damienchrist85]

over 30 years of postcommunist rule didnt make hospitals in my country look better than this.. :D AND my country is in peace time AND EU member damnit... anyway im amazed how resilliant you, my UKR brothers are. Slava Ukraine

[@sharionboyd9364]

Praise the Lord

[@GEOsustainable]

0:08 That is Asbestos Roof Tile the camera is showing busted up on the ground. I do hope that is a before picture.

[@thanggamahahconan1686]

Thank god everything's over n returning to normal. Hospital is the most important place. God's blessings 🙌🙌🙌 Many expert doctors in other countries who studied medicine in Ukraine. Are doing well in their own countries.

[@james64ibm]

They already cured the worst disease in the world which is Russian occupation, and I wish them the very best to get all the stuff they need to treat all of the other diseases as well :)

[@annaylitalo6564]

👍💙💛🙏🇺🇦🙏💛💙👍

[@lynj-c9153]

Thankful for all who work to sustain and rebuild Ukraine in this criminal invasion. May 💩🥫and his 💩 show be stopped forever. 💙🇺🇦💛

[@nightengale7163]

Glory to Ukraine 💪🇺🇦⚕️🩺💙💛✨ 🇺🇲❤️🇺🇦

[@theresacarmen9847]

Our Brother's Brother medical aid operated by doctors has sent medicine and equipment there. I don't know how much they have been able to do but I know they have been involved.

[@dianecrofoot7955]

Yay

[@docinparadise]

Medical equipment is ridiculously expensive. Perhaps some companies who make the arthroscopic instruments and other surgical equipment can donate what is needed. I’m certain they could use some positive publicity.

[@len4319]

Be not dismayed Ukraine. God will strengthen you all. God is with you. Help and uphold you all Ukrainians with the right hand of God righteousness. Justice and Judgement is coming upon unto the enemies, destroying infras, genocide and crimes. God bless you all 🙏 🌈

[@u.h.h4915]

💙💙💙💙💙💛💛💛💛💛

[@marcoromano2955]

The arms industry making billions from this war would also have to send several billions to restock these hospitals, it would only cost a small part of their profits!

[@gloriagavaneli9862]

Bravo Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@Dbenzsanz]

Did anyone cry ??? 😢

[@WolfgangS]

An Ukrainian couple stole yesterday 50 bottles of schnaps near Augsburg (Bobingen V-Markt) :( They still have a long way to go. But please: Go this way.

[@julesprice5805]

It IS a gift from GOD

[@thomaskittsii1008]

Thanks Obama 👍

[@laloelsalamanca]

Amazing stories, they always sound so touching and moving that one would say they are fabricated...

[@thomaslennon3658]

Why don't Russia just chill the hell out, live and let live I say!

[@geckotimes4598]

Yeah the Ukranians need all there hospitals up and running before they run out of ammo.

[@kathrinekerns8398]

Such a blessing. I am happy they rebuilt. So terrible how the Russians shell hospitals in the first place. Glory to Ukraine.

[@yvonnetomenga5726]

To All: Don't forget that if you donate via United24, you can direct your funds toward rebuilding Ukraine. Think about it. Slava Ukraini. Heroyam Slava. 💪🇺🇦🕊🌻

[@Alex-pr6zv]

To call the Russians animals would be to insult animals.

[@beverleyarscott8589]

Put it on the bill the Russian people must pay before they get entry into the civilised world - go Ukraine

[@Joe3pops]

What kind of animal endangers the local community by looting life saving equipment, life saving consumables?

[@jessicaaguilar6435]

God bless Ukraine and all those who are supporting Ukraine! Slava Ukraine!

[@c.a.saunders2819]

An egregious atrocity, and war crime by Russian animals. Not only is this war about basic good vs evil, it is about the civilized vs the uncivilized, those that recognize the value of human life, and obviously those that do not. I have said this several times before but this video clip here bears repeating it here again: Those that would align themselves, and condone this war behavior, those nations that ally themselves, and their people with such barbarism, and the devaluing of human life knowing and believing that the outright damaging, and callous murdering of the innocents, and destruction of institutions of care are they themselves guilty of such atrocities, and war crimes. They deserve all of the punishments, justice, and condemnations from a real, true, and only God, for which there shall never be an escape. The United States of America wishes to sincerely thank each entity, each person involved in the restoration of this hospital, and views them all as patriots of freedom, and true heroes for their work. As for all the staff, nurses, doctors, and surgeons including all of whom run this hospital and others in Ukraine, America sees you each in the highest dignity of light. Your care and healing hands, and giving hearts are seen as God's miracles. How could any civilized nation in this world not love you, and hold your daily work in the highest regard? We believe the free nations of this world does indeed feel this way as we do. You're an inspiration to all. We thank you for your dedication, and spirit of great care. We see you, and we know your needs, and they will be met. Thank you, 🇺🇲🇺🇦 Glory to God, Victory for Ukraine, Rise Free Nations!

[@seattlebeard]

I expect Ukrainians will never forgive the Ruzzians. There's no reason they should either.

[@volkhen0]

I hope that word russians will have the same meaning as vandals in the future.

[@nadacalo9289]

Show the other side of story too.What about nazi symbols?!

[@merlegouveris3166]

Wow how quickly this happened!!! Almost unbelievable really???! Well done. Hope the Russians stay home. His battling to find soldiers maybe the African fan club will send troops? 😂😂

[@glossalth]

You didn't mention that Ukraine shelled it themselves

[@salvadorjuntilla5507]

Alas, reopened with much propaganda.

[@markus-pg6me]

Gepard ist verbrannt wir müssen uns was neues schaffen, seit ihr es wert?

[@fichtellukas5572]

Gepard ist so schnell gerannt, er hat Feuer gefangen

[@steve64464]

Just wondering is it really wise to advertise to the Russians the hospital is operational again? no crime seems beyond their evilness.

[@namur-iq6ih]

50 percent of its energy infrastructure directly impacted with frequent power cuts. Ukraine requires at least $3 billion a month in outside support to keep its economy afloat, the International Monetary Fund's managing director recently said. Nearly 14 million Ukrainians have been displaced - 8 million in Europe and 6 million internally - and up to 18 million people, or 40 percent of Ukraine's population, will soon require humanitarian assistance. Ukraine's economy contracted by 35 percent in 2022, and 60 percent of Ukrainians are now poised to live on less than $5.5 a day, according to World Bank estimates. Nine million Ukrainians are without electricity and water in subzero temperatures, the Ukrainian president says. According to estimates from the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, at least 100,000 (more like 155,000 kia and 400,000 wounded) Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or injured in the war as of last November. Ukraine is now a failed state.

[@concernedrabbit9075]

Russia is to blame. It can be rebuilt but russua must be stopped

[@jonthinks6238]

Wrong Troll

[@brentjamescollins9731]

@@concernedrabbit9075 The person making the main comment here has also been posting many similar comments in connection with videos concerning the Russia/ Ukraine war. He is a well known pro russian false propogandist trying to discredit and reduce support for Ukraine so that Russia gains an advantage over Ukraine through such posts! Brent Collins.

[@bobjohnbowles]

Depends what you mean by 'failed state'. Merely having financial and infrastructure problems does not make a state a failure. OTOH a state that lives in an environment of permanent self-delusion dreaming of former grandeur while it's own population is robbed and murdered by its rulers can truly be said to have failed. Looking at you, Russia.

[@ericdpeerik3928]

Whatever Ukraine needs, we will provide. Russia will go home in shame and will remember this shame for generations. Murderers!

[@RobertMorpheal]

The Russians are far more capable of manufacturing military equipment, and have been manufacturing on an ongoing basis. That was discerned from a broadcast of some discussion among Russian officials where very expedited deliveries were being demanded by the Putin regime. Of course they can still get everything they need, or can make it if they cannot get it. Russia is not quite as backward a nation, nor is it as isolated and cut off from foreign supply as some in the media suggest. They are simply wrong in their mislead. Not sure if Russian propaganda has been successful in that regard, or whether it is simply prejudice and ignorance in relation to the facts. While Russia has continually lacked the ability to manufacture some civilian sector products its military industrial complex was typically more self sufficient than the West tends to give it credit for. Russia, similar to its prior incarnation as the USSR, does not like to have the facts about its military industrial complex come out into public. Russian media are not permitted to expose those sorts of details. We can assume that Russia has everything it needs in terms of its vast wealth of raw materials, and as to its capability of manufacturing specialized military items, across the full spectrum of componentry and parts. Even though there are things that Russia is not good at, or not considered able, to produce in large commercial quantities, we should not assume that they cannot produce what they need for military production in specialized workshops. That does not in anyway go against Russia's preference to obtain some dual purpose, civilian and military use, components from China and India where it can do so. That offloads the work that specialized workshops would have to do. Look on that as a bonus. There is reason to believe that Russia can continue military production of anything it produces even if it were totally isolated and did not have allies such as India and China to draw from. Not knowing the capacity of the specialized workshops, and not knowing how much of the Soviet military infrastructure was preserved and in fact upgraded since the political collapse of the USSR, is a concern. Even the CIA does not seem to have much of a solid grip on that nowadays. We know they exist, but we cannot quantify the qualitative assessment that is involved. Keeping in mind that the Russians learned the hard way, during the Soviet era, about constrained supply and ongoing "sanctions". Putin and Patrushev are both old KGB men who know that side of the problem quite well, coming from the previous era and it is entirely unthinkable that the Russian regime, under their direction, failed to maintain and upgrade the specialized workshops under their control. So you do not have large factories, as you do in China, cranking out toys for civvies in massive quantities, while pushing military hardware out the back door hush hush. That is a very Chinese thing, and Russia is very different. In Russia you have a secret, well hidden, state owned and state run, military workshop producing what the military production line needs and nothing for the civvies who are told there is nothing for them and nothing to see there. They have to buy their toys from China or wherever else, same as North Americans tend to have to do. We have to assume, unless very solid and significant evidence comes forward from Western intel agency sources, that Russia is entirely capable of manufacturing anything military that it knows how to make and will continue to be able to do so, within its unique and very secretive military industrial model. A model definitely derived from the Cold War era and capable of thwarting Cold War constraints in respect to its specific capabilities. Though keep in mind that Russia has advanced technically, by a huge leap. That does not imply that Russia would choose to build its newer designs rather than reverting to older designs, for production. Older designs can be produced much faster, and are less strain on the specialized workshops which are certain to be capable of the new designs as well. Even Russians do not design and prototype something that they have no ability to build. That is another bit o media bullshit that is playing into the Russian game and it is mostly likely exactly that, merely bullshit that makes the Russians look much weaker than they are. Something the Russians prefer to appear to be for obvious reasons. If that belief as to Russian military complex incapacity and weakness is perpetuated and believed then Ukraine allies will prove much more reluctant to act and will not act quickly enough as to providence, and that definitely serves the Russian purpose. Remember that the Russians are masters at media manipulation and a lot of what we see that appears in the media is a product of that manipulation, devised to serve Russian purpose. The Russians as inept, incapable, near to being destroyed, is far from the most probable truth, but it does serve Russian interests to make Russia appear to be something far less than it is. Make a Siberian tiger look like a mouse, and then the tiger takes the prey is a very real part of the game.

[@suebi3472]

Мы, говорит, не фашисты, мы россияне. - А в чём разница? - У нас чёрные кресты замалевали красными звёздами. Вот.

[@ivan_0590]

If you are ruzzian and you support this war, then you are a imperalist fascist.

[@namur-iq6ih]

0 percent of its energy infrastructure directly impacted with frequent power cuts. Ukraine requires at least $3 billion a month in outside support to keep its economy afloat, the International Monetary Fund's managing director recently said. Nearly 14 million Ukrainians have been displaced - 8 million in Europe and 6 million internally - and up to 18 million people, or 40 percent of Ukraine's population, will soon require humanitarian assistance. Ukraine's economy contracted by 35 percent in 2022, and 60 percent of Ukrainians are now poised to live on less than $5.5 a day, according to World Bank estimates. Nine million Ukrainians are without electricity and water in subzero temperatures, the Ukrainian president says. According to estimates from the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, at least 100,000 (more like 155,000 kia and 400,000 wounded) Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or injured in the war as of last November. Ukraine is now a failed state.

[@jonthinks6238]

Wrong Troll

[@ericdpeerik3928]

All that, and they still resist you. You understand how you will fail? They don't want your oppression and genocide. Go home Russia, you're drunk!

[@ghfrostwriter]

Ukraine is now a nation under the siege, as Putin and his gangsters attempt seize the agriculture, petroleum, and minerals of Ukraine. In truth, Russia is the failed state. The Russian Gross National Product is less than California. Deduct the income from petroleum sales, Russia produces fewer products and earnings than a slum in Central Africa. ( I apologize in advance for slandering Africans forced to exist in displacement camps, they are decent people fleeing wars -- and perhaps the Wagner gang. )

[@kerstinblume3148]

Russian troll factory! 😂😂😂

[@ghfrostwriter]

@@kerstinblume3148 55 Savushkina Street in Saint Petersburg