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Ukrainian soldiers who were blinded in combat face the new battle of navigating the world again

By HANNA ARHIROVA, Associated Press
Published: August 17, 2023, 6:16pm
3 Photos
Denys Abdulin, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, walks with his son, Vadym, at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, Thursday, July 20, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers. (AP Photo/Jae C.
Denys Abdulin, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, walks with his son, Vadym, at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, Thursday, July 20, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Photo Gallery

RIVNE, Ukraine (AP) — Along a bustling street in a western Ukrainian city, Denys Abdulin takes his first independent strides since he was severely wounded and blinded while fighting invading Russian troops more than a year ago.

The 34-year-old former soldier, wearing black glasses and gripping a white mobility cane, steps onto a more crowded stretch of sidewalk.

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