Russian attack on playground in Kherson in May: injured girl discharged from hospital and already trying to walk

A little girl who suffered a serious injury and multiple wounds in a Russian attack on a children's playground in Kherson in May 2026 has been discharged from hospital and is already trying to walk.

Mama i Nemovlia (Mother and Baby), a charity supporting little Viktoriia and her family in Kyiv, said that she will now undergo rehabilitation and receive an eye prosthesis.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia (Life)

Details: On 27 May, Viktoriia's family – her mother and father and their two daughters – were at the playground when Russia launched an attack on Kherson. Viktoriia's father died at the scene. Her mother suffered severe injuries and was admitted to intensive care.

Viktoriia, the younger daughter, was diagnosed with a severe brain injury and multiple shrapnel wounds. She received first aid in Kherson and was transferred to Mykolaiv the following day, where she underwent surgery. She remained unconscious for about a week.

Viktoriia was later transferred to Kyiv for further treatment. Her condition remained critical.

"When the little girl was brought to Kyiv, we didn't know whether she would ever regain consciousness or whether we would be able to preserve her motor functions," said Alla Melnychuk, founder of Mama i Nemovlia.

A multidisciplinary team was involved in Viktoriia's treatment, including neurosurgeons, intensive care specialists, traumatologists, ophthalmologists and other specialists. Viktoriia underwent three complex brain operations. During one stage of her treatment, doctors fitted a special plate to reconstruct the damaged structures of her skull.

Unfortunately, one of Viktoriia's wounds was particularly severe: a piece of shrapnel entered through the eye area, penetrated deep into her brain and became lodged there. The injury was so serious that doctors were unable to save the damaged eye.

After completing her neurosurgical treatment, Viktoriia's condition stabilised enough for her to be discharged from the specialist department. She is now fully conscious, speaking and responding to her loved ones.

In addition to the neurosurgical treatment, Viktoriia underwent surgery on her leg. She is not yet able to put her full weight on it because the wound is still healing, but the function of the limb has been preserved.

Viktoriia can move her arms and legs. When her treatment began, doctors could not guarantee how much movement would be possible after such a severe brain injury.

"We are very cautious about the outcomes of cases like this, because being discharged from hospital is not the end of treatment. Our task now is to help her through the next stage: from saving her life to achieving the maximum possible recovery and returning to an ordinary childhood," Melnychuk said.

Viktoriia's family and their dog have moved to Kyiv and are living at a social centre run by the charity.

"Vikusia is gradually recovering in a family environment. She is putting more weight on her injured leg and beginning to walk independently. The only thing left is to have her eye prosthesis fitted, which we will do soon. We just want her to have some time to rest from hospitals," said Anna, Viktoriia's aunt.

Viktoriia's mother is continuing her treatment. She spent a long time in hospital because of her injuries and is now being prepared for surgery on her leg.

Background: Two brothers who suffered severe burns when a Russian drone struck their home in Chernihiv Oblast on 17 July were evacuated to Austria for treatment.

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