How a double amputee turned Ukraine’s hottest man

When a shell exploded close to Oleksandr Budko, the 26-year-old discovered himself buried alive and struggling “horrible ache” from accidents that even resulted within the amputation of each legs.

The Ukrainian soldier was serving to to defend the northeastern area of Kharkiv from an incursion by Russian forces in August 2022 when his unit got here beneath assault.

Three years later, he turned the star of a actuality present wherein a number of ladies battled for his affection.

A well-dressed Oleksandr stares thoughtfully at a flower in an advert for the Ukrainian model of the hit US sequence The Bachelor. In one other photograph, he solutions questions in navy uniform earlier than performing a sequence of pull-ups within the gymnasium.

The veteran-turned-celebrity spoke to me in Kiev’s rose backyard, and though drained after a busy week, he was in good spirits.

Oleksandr stated he hoped to seek out love on the present after splitting from his girlfriend final January, however thought it could be troublesome to decide on a accomplice whereas “thousands and thousands of individuals are watching”.

His motivations are greater than romantic. He additionally hopes to make use of his look on the present to lift consciousness in regards to the challenges confronted by disabled folks in Ukraine.

“This present is watched by thousands and thousands of individuals and it gives an enormous alternative to positively affect their views,” he stated.

He needed to indicate that wounded veterans weren’t “outsiders however full members of society main good lives.”

“So far as I am involved, my life is even higher now than earlier than the battle, higher than earlier than I obtained injured.”

Oleksandr, at all times busy, instructed me he had shot a music video the night time earlier than.

His life wasn’t at all times like this. Within the years earlier than the full-scale Russian invasion, he labored as a barista in a Kiev restaurant whereas learning graphic design.

He says his dream is to “maintain his toes on the bottom”: to journey, uncover the world and develop his profession. He desires to start out a household.

However two years in the past, Alexander’s life modified dramatically when he turned considered one of a whole lot of hundreds of Ukrainian males to affix the military.

In August 2022, he was stationed close to Izyum, an occupied metropolis. Russia’s advancing entrance. It was invaded early within the battle and utilized by Russia as an essential navy hub to produce its troops from the east.

Only a month after Alexander was significantly wounded whereas defending close by Ukrainian positions, Kiev liberated the town.

“I felt the earth transfer towards me. I felt a pointy ache in my legs and realized that this meant amputation of each my legs,” he stated.

“I used to be screaming in horrible ache and yelling for folks to listen to me.”

He stated he knew his comrade was nonetheless alive and that they dug him out of the bottom and supplied first assist. However it was then that he discovered his leg had been significantly injured.

“Two or three seconds after I felt the ache, I knew I had misplaced each legs the second I used to be injured.”

Alexander survived, however a lot of Izyum was in ruins. On the time, authorities stated they discovered greater than 400 our bodies in graves close to metropolis.

Regardless of a difficult restoration course of, Oleksandr was nonetheless strolling with a prosthetic leg inside six months.

“After I did not have prosthetics, I needed to get round in a wheelchair. I found how inaccessible and unsuitable Kiev is for wheelchair customers, regardless that it is the capital,” he stated.

“Within the historic outdated city, you’ll be able to’t go wherever. You may’t cross the road by your self or go inside any constructing as a result of there are stairs in all places.

Struggle accidents imply Alexander’s expertise is changing into more and more widespread in Ukraine. Whereas there aren’t any official statistics on the variety of folks injured through the battle, it’s estimated that tens of hundreds misplaced limbs.

Because of this, Oleksandr created an impartial actuality present known as “Legs Off” that captured the difficulties confronted by folks with disabilities transferring round Ukrainian cities.

Along with talking, the veteran has written a e book, gained a medal on the Invincible Video games, and carried out with a ballet firm within the U.S. — all whereas recovering from his accidents carried out within the course of.

He is so well-liked in Ukraine that The Bachelor’s software portal crashed shortly after it was introduced that Oleksandr would have a significant position within the upcoming season.

The producers of “The Bachelor” see the veteran as an emblem of hope.

“Though Oleksandr was an amputation, he nonetheless rode his bike, drove his automobile, and climbed mountains. He lived a full life.

“If tv is about filming actuality, who higher to be the star of ‘The Bachelor’ proper now? Who higher to be in a rustic at battle?