JBANC Managing Director Karl Altau was among the speakers at a benefit for a wounded Ukrainian marine at the childhood home of Grace Kelly in Philadelphia on October 29, 2022.
Roman Horodensky, a 20-year-old Ukrainian Marine from Odesa, is currently undergoing prosthetic rehabilitation in Philadelphia. He went to defend Ukraine in 2020, serving in the 36th Marine Brigade. While defending Mariupol this year, his position was surrounded by the Russian army. Roman was severely wounded on April 5, 2022, following a heavy artillery attack. A shell exploded nearby and Roman lost his left leg and suffered severe injury to his right arm. His friends managed to get Roman into a bunker where he survived without any medication or painkillers for a week. Roman and the other wounded soldiers were forced to surrender and were imprisoned by the Russians. His captors took Roman to the nearest hospital and due to severe infection, his arm had to be amputated. Roman was brutally tortured while being interrogated by the Russians. Two weeks later he was released during a prisoner exchange. Roman was hospitalized at the Kyiv Military Hospital and was flown to the United States to receive a prosthetic arm and leg.
Iryna Vashchuk Discipio, President of Revived Soldiers Ukraine, commented about Roman’s ordeal and survival, and the work of her organization, which has brought over many wounded Ukrainian soldiers for treatment to the United States. Iryna Mazur, the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Philadelphia emceed the event and Karl Altau spoke about the efforts of the Baltic American community to support and stand with Ukraine during its time of need. Laris Kreslins of Philadelphia helped organize the benefit, which was held at the childhood home of American actress and Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly. John B. Kelly, III, the nephew of Grace Kelly, and cousin of Prince Albert of Monaco, welcomed the guests to the family home.
The organization Revived Soldiers Ukraine is working to raise $35,000 for Roman’s bionic arm, and he has already received a prosthetic leg. Revived Soldiers Ukraine is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing aid to the people of Ukraine in support of their fundamental human rights and medical rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers.
