Valentyn V. Hontar (Prapor)

Valentin Gontar is a career military man, a marine, who has fought in three wars: in Transnistria, Africa, and Ukraine. He lived and served in Crimea. He sustained a gunshot wound and a severe concussion on August 10, 2014, while serving in the 2nd battalion of the National Guard of Ukraine "Donbas" during the first assault on Ilovaisk in a battle under the viaduct. Valentin Gontar: "In that battle, a comrade with the call sign Wind saved my life. When Russian special forces opened fire, I covered my comrade Wind, allowing him to retreat to a safe place. And when I was wounded, Wind covered me with his body and bandaged my arm right under fire. Thanks to him, I almost didn't lose blood. He also accompanied me and other wounded soldiers to the hospital in Starobeshevo." The bone was shattered in four places, and the plate installed did not provide the expected healing. The injury to his left arm led to disability. He was treated at Mechnikov Hospital, the Ministry of Internal Affairs hospital, and the private clinic "Boris." Combat path: Bakhmut (Artemivsk), Lysychansk, Popasna, Kurakhove, Ilovaisk. After returning from the war, together with artist Vitalina Maslova, he became one of the coordinators of the rehabilitation center for ATO participants "Creative Hideout." Rehabilitation, psychological assistance, everything that can help the boys and girls affected by the war, hundreds of grateful soldiers "repaired" in Verkhovyna, unique paintings created from the pain of memories — all of this is "Creative Hideout."