aiIsn't it surprising that the military specialty "combat medic" (paramedic) appeared in Ukraine thanks to a person who had nothing to do with medicine? But war forces responsible people to look where they can be most useful. He found this field for himself, and as it turned out for many others – Yevhen Khrapko, a programmer by profession.

aiYevhen Khrapko was born on September 19, 1984 in Mykolaiv. He studied at Mykolaiv University of Shipbuilding named after Admiral Makarov in the Institute of Computer Sciences and Project Management. After graduating in 2007, he worked for some time in "software of automated systems."

aiWhen hostilities began in the East of Ukraine in 2014, Yevhen became interested in tactical medicine. He got his first experience as a paramedic in Kharkiv and took all kinds of training courses. As he mastered these new skills, he volunteered in the Anti-Terrorist Operation to save fighters. Also risking his life, he evacuated people from the most dangerous places.

aiYevhen wanted to specialize even more. In Lithuania, he completed "Combat Medic 68W" and "Army Basic Instructor" courses. Further, he mastered leadership training from the US Armed Forces for junior medical service officers (there he was the only representative of the rank and file).

aiIn 2017, when the most powerful specialized training center for tactical medicine in Ukraine opened in Desna, Chernihiv region, it was Yevhen Hrapko who became the core of the center and its ideological inspiration. Thanks to him, the systematic training of tactical medicine in the Armed Forces of Ukraine began and the specialty appeared in Ukraine. Also through his leadership, full-time positions were introduced for medical personnel without medical education. Hence he's called the "godfather" of combat medics.

aiBy 2021, Yevhen Khrapko was working as an engineer and instructor in the simulation center of the Faculty of Medicine of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University.

aiOn February 24, 2022, when the full-scale war began, Yevhen Hrapko was on a business trip in Lviv. While so many in the country were streaming west to safety, he urgently returned east to Kharkiv. On arrival, he went directly to the Military Commissariat and begged to go to the front to save soldiers. He was assigned to the 92nd separate mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine where he served as instructor and combat medic.

aiYevhen had the nickname "White" and close people called him "Six-eyed." That's because he wore two pairs of glasses – with diopters and tactical ones on top.

aiIn three months on the front line, this incredible combat medic made more than 100 evacuation trips. He saved hundreds of people, taught thousands.

aiYevhen Khrapko died on June 11, 2022. 

aiNear the village Ukrainka in the Kharkiv region, his car hit a mine as he was evacuating wounded soldiers from the front line.