Robles and her Ukrainian counterpart visit wounded military personnel receiving treatment at the Gómez Ulla Hospital

The Minister for Defence, Margarita Robles, and her Ukrainian counterpart, Oleksii Reznikov, visited the Gómez Ulla Central Defence Hospital 'Centro de Vida y Esperanza' in Madrid, where they visited several Ukrainian wounded and thanked the medical staff of this centre and the General Defence Hospital of Zaragoza for their care of the Ukrainian soldiers admitted with serious injuries.

During the event, in which the two ministers were received by the Undersecretary of Defence, Adoración Mateos, a videoconference was held with Ukrainian staff and patients who were in the hospital in Zaragoza.

The Ukrainian Defence Minister subsequently decorated 39 people, which in addition to the wounded Ukrainian fighters were awarded to the director of the Gómez Ulla Hospital, Brigadier General Francisco Javier Areta, and the director of the Zaragoza Defence Hospital, Brigadier General Juan Lara Garrido, as well as to the medical lieutenant colonel Félix Maimir.

"I am sure that in the hands of the Spanish doctors, the Ukrainian spirit and morale will win", said Minister Reznikov, addressing the wounded Ukrainians. "Ukraine is waiting for you. Come back when you can, when you recover, but I am sure that in Spain you will keep a part of your soul".

Reznikov also called on military doctors "to return to the ranks after your recovery, because we need your knowledge and your expert opinion, and because together we will win", he said.

For her part, the defence minister thanked all the staff of both hospitals for their daily work and for dedicating themselves "so specially" to the Ukrainian wounded.

"We feel very proud of all of you who work in these hospitals in Madrid and in Zaragoza, you are a magnificent image of Spain and even more so in such difficult times as these", said Robles, who assured that Spain feels very close to Ukraine.

Support in the health field

To date, a total of 57 wounded Ukrainian military personnel have been treated in Spanish hospitals. Of these, 30 have returned home. There are currently four injured in the Gómez Ulla hospital and 23 in the Hospital General de la Defensa in Zaragoza.

The soldiers suffered major injuries that were difficult to treat, often requiring prostheses and lengthy rehabilitation.

Health support forms part of Spain's bilateral commitment to Ukraine, which is complemented by humanitarian aid, logistical and material support and training.

"I have been with many of you on several occasions and you have always given me an example of courage, of bravery, of love for your country and therefore of love for good people. I know you are going through a difficult situation, with pain, with major injuries, but at the same time you have shown that you are great people", added Robles.

The minister thanked the Ukrainian military for their efforts and sacrifice: "You will return to Ukraine and make Ukraine a great country. Thank you for all your effort and for all your sacrifice", said Robles, who closed her speech with the phrase 'Slava Ukraini' (Glory to Ukraine).

During the event, Olexander Tarashenko, a 58-year-old Ukrainian military medic whose mission was to collect the wounded for transport between different areas, and who suffered an amputation of both legs and lost four fingers on his right hand, gave his testimony of gratitude via videoconference.

The ceremony was also attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral General Teodoro López Calderón, and the Chief of Staff of the Ukrainian Navy, Rear Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa.

Non official translation