The Story of Creating Keep Life: Mobile Medical Units That Give a Chance for Life
On the front line, time flows differently. Here, minutes carry a weight that is hard to comprehend in peaceful life. Soldiers defend the land, while medics defend human life. In military medicine, there is an unshakable rule: 90% of the wounded can be saved if aid is provided within the first hour. This very truth became the foundation for the creation of the Keep Life project, implemented by the Borys Voznytskyi Charitable Foundation.
Keep Life is a mobile stabilization and surgical module designed for the harsh conditions of the war for Ukraine’s Independence. It is meant to operate where hospitals are far away, where evacuation is dangerous, and where delay costs lives.
First steps: when an idea becomes a duty
On April 6, 2022, the Commander of the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Major General Tetiana Ostashchenko, proposed that the Foundation develop a mobile unit capable of operating in the most intense combat zones.
The head of the Foundation, Ihor Zhuk, took responsibility for building cooperation among all military structures that were to become part of the project. He began working with the Commander of the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Anatolii Kazmirchuk, and soon leading specialists joined the effort.
The finished modules were inspected by Kostiantyn Humeniuk, Chief Surgeon of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Combat surgeons tested the structures in real conditions, pointing out every detail that could affect the survival chances of the wounded.
Technical documentation and regulatory provisions were developed by the Ukrainian Military Medical Academy of the AFU. The Academy created the module regulations, provided sample technical documentation, and thoroughly supported the team at all stages of the project. General Valerii Savytskyi ensured regulatory and legal support.
The project also involved Mykhailo Badiuk, Ivan Soroka, and the Academy’s staff. The Military Medical Clinical Centers of the Northern and Western regions played an important role in improving the modules by conducting field tests under combat conditions. The head of the Kharkiv Military Hospital, Eduard Khoroshun, contributed significant proposals for innovations relevant to the war for Independence.
Despite the lack of facilities after the invasion began, the team managed to find a base for production. A question arose: hire specialized experts or build their own team? They chose the latter — and did not regret it.
International support: a step toward broad cooperation
Immediately after the project framework was formed, Borys Komarov joined the work, taking charge of all international outreach.
He contacted government bodies in Canada, the U.S. State Department, humanitarian organizations, as well as partners across the European Union. His efforts made it possible to attract numerous Ukrainian and foreign donors.
Those who joined the initiative include:
• Extreme LTD and its director Serhii Bondarenko,
• Schneider Electric Ukraine, which provided cables and batteries,
• and other Ukrainian and international partners.
Since some donors can support only civilian initiatives, the foundation established the Keep Life Public Organization, which enabled wider partnerships.
The engineer who gave the idea its shape
After international cooperation was established, volunteer engineer Serhii Nechytailenko joined the project.
The first module was completed in December 2022. Over the following years, the team developed a line of six improved modules that surpass foreign counterparts in adapting to combat conditions.
Ihor Zhuk emphasizes the pragmatic approach of the team: “Our task was to create a module so simple in its construction that if necessary, it could be repaired literally with basic tools.”
A team building Ukraine’s future
People are the foundation of Keep Life. Before the war for Independence, they had different professions and life paths, but today they share one goal — to save lives.
The team includes draftsmen, welders, electricians, logisticians, engineers, and coordinators. Among those who made the project possible:
Serhii Shamrai, Ihor Bobylio, Volodymyr Sakhno, Andrii Leona, Natalia Hlabets, Dmytro Yudin, Oleksandr Shakhray and many others.
Their contribution is more than just work — it is a manifestation of commitment and responsibility.
Speaking about the importance of initiative within the team, Ihor Zhuk says: “When a person is given the opportunity to take initiative, they can fully realize their potential.”
Recognition and plans
The Keep Life modules created by the Borys Voznytskyi Charitable Foundation received positive evaluations from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Ministry of Health.
The next goal is serial production and providing mobile surgical units along the entire front line.
Innovation is born where it is needed most. And when medics, engineers, welders, designers, logisticians, diplomats, and volunteers work side by side — they create more than machinery. They create life.
At a time when Ukrainians are fighting for their Independence, the most important mission is to save every person. Because a saved life is hope, continuity, and meaning.
The Story of Creating Keep Life: Mobile Medical Units That Give a Chance for Life
The Story of Creating Keep Life: Mobile Medical Units That Give a Chance for Life
Keep Life is a mobile stabilization and surgical module designed for the harsh conditions of the war for Ukraine’s Independence. It is meant to operate where hospitals are far away, where evacuation is dangerous, and where delay costs lives.
First steps: when an idea becomes a duty
On April 6, 2022, the Commander of the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Major General Tetiana Ostashchenko, proposed that the Foundation develop a mobile unit capable of operating in the most intense combat zones.
The head of the Foundation, Ihor Zhuk, took responsibility for building cooperation among all military structures that were to become part of the project. He began working with the Commander of the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Anatolii Kazmirchuk, and soon leading specialists joined the effort.
The finished modules were inspected by Kostiantyn Humeniuk, Chief Surgeon of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Combat surgeons tested the structures in real conditions, pointing out every detail that could affect the survival chances of the wounded.
Technical documentation and regulatory provisions were developed by the Ukrainian Military Medical Academy of the AFU. The Academy created the module regulations, provided sample technical documentation, and thoroughly supported the team at all stages of the project. General Valerii Savytskyi ensured regulatory and legal support.
The project also involved Mykhailo Badiuk, Ivan Soroka, and the Academy’s staff. The Military Medical Clinical Centers of the Northern and Western regions played an important role in improving the modules by conducting field tests under combat conditions. The head of the Kharkiv Military Hospital, Eduard Khoroshun, contributed significant proposals for innovations relevant to the war for Independence.
Despite the lack of facilities after the invasion began, the team managed to find a base for production. A question arose: hire specialized experts or build their own team? They chose the latter — and did not regret it.
International support: a step toward broad cooperation
Immediately after the project framework was formed, Borys Komarov joined the work, taking charge of all international outreach.
He contacted government bodies in Canada, the U.S. State Department, humanitarian organizations, as well as partners across the European Union. His efforts made it possible to attract numerous Ukrainian and foreign donors.
Those who joined the initiative include:
• Extreme LTD and its director Serhii Bondarenko,
• Schneider Electric Ukraine, which provided cables and batteries,
• and other Ukrainian and international partners.
Since some donors can support only civilian initiatives, the foundation established the Keep Life Public Organization, which enabled wider partnerships.
The engineer who gave the idea its shape
After international cooperation was established, volunteer engineer Serhii Nechytailenko joined the project.
The first module was completed in December 2022. Over the following years, the team developed a line of six improved modules that surpass foreign counterparts in adapting to combat conditions.
Ihor Zhuk emphasizes the pragmatic approach of the team:
“Our task was to create a module so simple in its construction that if necessary, it could be repaired literally with basic tools.”
A team building Ukraine’s future
People are the foundation of Keep Life. Before the war for Independence, they had different professions and life paths, but today they share one goal — to save lives.
The team includes draftsmen, welders, electricians, logisticians, engineers, and coordinators. Among those who made the project possible:
Serhii Shamrai, Ihor Bobylio, Volodymyr Sakhno, Andrii Leona, Natalia Hlabets, Dmytro Yudin, Oleksandr Shakhray and many others.
Their contribution is more than just work — it is a manifestation of commitment and responsibility.
Speaking about the importance of initiative within the team, Ihor Zhuk says:
“When a person is given the opportunity to take initiative, they can fully realize their potential.”
Recognition and plans
The Keep Life modules created by the Borys Voznytskyi Charitable Foundation received positive evaluations from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Ministry of Health.
The next goal is serial production and providing mobile surgical units along the entire front line.
Innovation is born where it is needed most. And when medics, engineers, welders, designers, logisticians, diplomats, and volunteers work side by side — they create more than machinery. They create life.
At a time when Ukrainians are fighting for their Independence, the most important mission is to save every person. Because a saved life is hope, continuity, and meaning.