Doctors remove unexploded grenade from Ukrainian soldier's chest

A Ukrainian soldier has been saved after doctors successfully removed an unexploded grenade from his chest.

CNN reported that X-ray images released by Ukrainian military medical forces showed the grenade lodged in the soldier's upper body.

The surgery was extremely dangerous, as doctors feared the grenade could explode at any moment. Therefore, during the surgery, doctors did not use electrocautery, and “two commandos were also involved to ensure the safety of medical staff.”

A grenade lodged in the chest of a Ukrainian soldier. (Photo: CNN)

The most experienced surgeon of the Ukrainian armed forces, Major General Andrii Verba, performed the operation. After the successful operation, the wounded soldier was transferred to the recovery room, and is gradually recovering.

The grenade found in the Ukrainian soldier's chest was identified as a VOG grenade launcher.

Ukrainian military medical forces did not specify when and where the surgery took place, or what caused the soldier's injury.

The tense situation in the war has left hospitals in Ukraine overwhelmed. In December 2022, a team of surgeons working at a hospital in the city of Kramatorsk had to treat nearly 100 patients a day, while fearing that their lives were in danger due to airstrikes.