STRATEGIC MEDICAL EVACUATION OF SERIOUSLY WOUNDED PERSONNEL IN UKRAINE: EXPERIENCE AND CHALLENGES OF WAR

Background. Strategic medical evacuation of severely wounded personnel is a crucial component of military medical support in the context of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war. The absence of unified regulations, clinical protocols, and standardized algorithms for assessing patient transportability in Ukraine increases the risk of fatal complications during evacuation. Analyzing international experience, particularly NATO standards, may help optimize evacuation strategies and improve patient outcomes. Objective. To analyze the key features of strategic medical evacuation of severely injured patients in Ukraine and NATO countries, identify critical challenges, and propose solutions based on international best practices. Materials and Methods. This study compared scientific literature and documented experiences related to the medical evacuation of severely wounded service members during military conflicts. Key factors affecting patient survival were assessed, and approaches to strategic evacuation in Ukraine and NATO countries were compared. Results. The main challenges of strategic evacuation in Ukraine include the absence of standardized transportability criteria, inadequate medical equipment in evacuation vehicles, and limited intensive care capabilities during transportation. Introducing specialized medical trains has significantly improved evacuation outcomes, reducing mortality among critically injured patients by 15%. Conclusions. Implementing standardized transportability assessment protocols and adapting the international experience to Ukraine’s current realities can significantly enhance the effectiveness of strategic medical evacuation and improve survival rates among severely wounded patients.