Two Defence Intelligence of Ukraine special units veterans — Ivan Tarn from "Artan" and Oleksandr Dashko from "Kraken" — who both live with amputations, have completed an expedition to the Himalayas as part of the Limitless charity project.

Professional climbers Tetyana Yalovchak and Taras Pozdniy guided them through the mountains.

The team reached the Everest Base Camp, located at an altitude of 5,280 meters. Tarn and Dashko shared their reflections during a live broadcast on Ukraine's national TV marathon.

"You're looking at it all right before you, but your eyes can barely believe it. It's like you're staring at ultra-realistic wallpaper. Absolutely breathtaking," Tarn said.

Participating in the project was a major personal challenge for both veterans.

"Many people didn't believe in the project — or me. My amputation is severe. Everyone I told about this adventure would say, 'People with two legs can't make it up there, and you want to go with no leg? You'll just ruin your health even more.' It was tough. But I want other guys with amputations to see this. To know there's life after amputation," Dashko emphasized.

The goal of the Limitless project is to raise awareness of the challenges faced by veterans with amputations and to collect 3 million UAH to support treatment for phantom limb pain.

"Phantom pain is when the limb is gone but still hurts like it's there. It might itch or burn, and the brain has to learn to accept that. Some guys suffer with this for years," the veterans explained.

The Limitless initiative is run in partnership with the UNBROKEN Ukraine rehabilitation center.

Fundraising for the rehabilitation of Ukrainian defenders is ongoing: https://send.monobank.ua/jar/4quiQcktYe

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine supports the Limitless initiative.

Join the cause and help Ukraine's war veterans reclaim their strength and dignity.