I heard from one of my UKR paratrooper buddies Tuesday.
We were deployed to the same base overseas in '09 - '10, I with a Battalion from the U.S., they were a Company of Airborne Soldiers from Ukraine. I wound up teaching English to many of them (as well as to some Polish, Slovenian, Armenian, and Turkish personnel). As I was in my 50s I felt pretty avuncular toward them; yet since I'd just joined the military ~2.5 years earlier (no prior service), many of them had many more years of military service under their belts, so I felt they were mentoring me. I've stayed in touch with a number of those guys, and with one in particular, a senior NCO. Out of an overabundance of caution, I'll not name him here.
Anyway, for most of the rest of my times being deployed I sent him money every month to help him and his growing family so they could buy an apartment. Just after the invasion two weeks ago he sent me a photo of his military kit (rucksack, sleeping bag, bedroll, etc.) with the caption, "All your presents are at work again." That took my breath away. Since then, I've been checking that platform several times daily looking for word from him, his wife, or any of the other guys I know. As the situation over there has worsened, I have engaged every resilience option at my disposal to just get through each day.
Yesterday, I received another message: "Hand granade rolled down to the foxhole, I thew the dude out and covered by myself. Dude alive with no scratches. I've got only small one in left hand (does not affect shooting in any way, so good). And, I instantly got battlefield promotion from 1LT to CPT" (His English is so much better than my Ukrainian!)
He's a fucking HERO. I've known for years that he's an awesome Soldier and a stellar human being, so I'm not surprised that he went head-to-head with a live grenade, and won! I suspect that he's grossly downplaying the injuries to his left hand; that would just be his style. I just now remembered that about seven years ago when he won some military competition in Ukraine which allowed him to come to the States for five months of language training in San Antonio followed by five months of training with the USMC at Camp Lejeune, he called me one day and said that the Marines had started calling him "Beast!" and he wasn't sure how to take that. He is, certainly, one of the strongest men I've ever met.
That said, the dread that's been shadowing me seems even greater now than before. Oh how I wish, were I not now closer to 70 than to 60, that I could be over there to support him and his buddies. If you've made it this far in reading this, I humbly ask that you send good thoughts or prayers to him, his lovely family, his buddies, and Ukraine, if you'd be so inclined.
Thanks for letting me share this.
Слава Україні!
= new reply since forum marked as read
...every moment of every day.
It really is inspiring as was your story.
Thank you for sharing it.
Godspeed to you friend and all those that are fighting for our future.
We thank YOU for sharing here.
Yes, Slava Ukrain! May her flag fly forever! And may your friend stay safe.
I will add good thoughts for your buddies and the brave ‘Beast’
And hugs for you, 
Peace to UKR. I w pray for both of you