On August 7, 2026, the life of our colleague and friend Roman Topchiyev was divided into before and after. While on vacation in Bilopillya, Sumy region, he was cycling through the city with his mother when an enemy drone exploded nearby.

As a result of the brutal attack, Roman sustained severe injuries: a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures of the facial bones and skull base, an open fracture of the nasal bones, numerous fragmentary fractures of the sinuses and nasal septum, as well as an intraosseous foreign body in the branch of the lower jaw.

Behind him are months of unbearable pain, a long series of hospitalizations in Sumy and Kyiv, and several complex surgical interventions, including rhinoplasty and surgeries to remove tissue and bone fragments. Now comes the most critical stage—the fight for his vision. Due to his injuries, his left eye currently has no vision at all, while the right functions at only 30%. To have a chance to restore his sight and halt irreversible processes, Roman is preparing for specialized treatment and complex surgeries at the V.P. Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy in Odesa.

A long road of rehabilitation, specialized assistance, and significant financial expenses lies ahead, which he cannot cover alone. Roman has always been a reliable support for his loved ones and colleagues, and now he needs our support and faith more than ever. Let’s help our colleague stand strong during this time and give him a real chance to save his vision and return to a full life!