Doctors offered no positive forecasts for Vitaliy Shumey. The severely wounded defender could not speak, walk, or eat. Yet, after three years of relentless struggle, he has done the seemingly impossible: he rose from his bed and began to return to life.
Yesterday, Vitaliy turned 38. On his birthday, an unexpected and highly symbolic surprise awaited him. Rinat Akhmetov, founder of the Foundation and President of FC Shakhtar, gifted Vitaliy a house. It is not just a building, but a comprehensive space where the defender will continue his recovery in peace and with faith in the future.
Rinat Akhmetov personally congratulated Vitaliy by telephone, wishing him happiness in his new home. Natalya Yemchenko, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Foundation, and CEO Kseniia Sukhova visited to present the gift.
We arrived not simply to hand over keys, but to do so specifically on his birthday, said Natalya Yemchenko. I hope this gift changes Vitaliy's life for the better. We began helping Vitaliy when he was in an extremely difficult condition, and we have travelled this entire path with him on the instructions of Rinat Akhmetov, because this is the philosophy of Mr Akhmetov. We hope that the next stage will follow—perhaps education, perhaps family events. Housing is the foundation for planning and moving forward.
Today, Vitaliy demonstrates significant progress: he speaks, takes his first steps, and is undergoing verticalisation. This is a complex and vital stage of rehabilitation after severe injuries, where a person is gradually taught to bear their own weight again, stand on their feet, and restore muscle function, balance, and coordination. It is the foundation for a return to independent movement.
Throughout this time, Vitaliy and his father have lived in medical facilities—from hospital to hospital, from rehabilitation to rehabilitation. In reality, they had nowhere to go after being discharged. Their family home in the Sumy region is under constant shelling by russia. The family had no safe place to live or continue recovery. That is why this gifted house represents the opportunity to finally possess a personal space, where recovery will take place not within hospital walls, but in their own home.
Darijo Srna, Sporting Director of FC Shakhtar, also congratulated the family. He noted that Serhii, Vitaliy's father, is a great man who serves as an example for all Ukrainians in how he fights for his son's life.
In August 2022, near Avdiivka, Vitaliy Shumey, commander of an anti-aircraft missile team, suffered mine-blast trauma and a bilateral skull fracture. As a result of the wound, he lost the ability to move independently, speak, and eat. During his treatment, the soldier underwent three complex head surgeries and rehabilitation in medical institutions in Ukraine, as well as in Germany and Spain. FC Shakhtar covered part of the treatment and rehabilitation costs.
When doctors left no chance, his father was always by Vitaliy's side. He read books to his son, conveyed words of support from strangers, and believed—even when his son could not reply. That faith became the basis for his gradual return to life.
A long recovery lies ahead. But now Vitaliy possesses a vital asset: his own home, which will become a place of strength, stability, and new steps towards a full life.
I am very grateful to Rinat Akhmetov, said Serhii Shumey. For me, this help is very, very important. There is progress. We can already say that my son has stood on his feet, is already speaking, and can already do some things independently. When we finish rehabilitation, however long it lasts, I will confidently bring Vitaliy here, to this house. Everything here is made for him—the terrace, the rooms, the shower—everything meets his needs.
