Doctors race through Kyiv missile strike to deliver child's donor heart

Amidst a barrage of missile strikes illuminating the night sky over Kyiv, a Ukrainian cardiac surgeon made a desperate race against time. Dr. Borys Todurov, director of the Kyiv Heart Institute, transported a heart – recently removed from a six-year-old donor – to a 12-year-old recipient awaiting a life-saving transplant.

A Race Against the Clock, and the Conflict

The stakes were incredibly high. Dr. Todurov explained that a donor heart has a limited window for successful transplantation – approximately four hours from removal to implantation. When the attack began, Dr. Todurov took the wheel of the ambulance himself, prioritizing the safe passage of the organ and his team. He was accompanied by fellow surgeon Sofiia Chaikovska, a scrub nurse, and an anaesthesiologist, navigating a 20-kilometer route through intense fighting.

Did You Know? The Kyiv Heart Institute performs over 6,000 heart surgeries and other operations annually, including increasingly complex procedures to treat trauma sustained during the ongoing conflict.

The urgency of the situation was captured in a video showing Dr. Todurov focused on the road ahead, air raid sirens wailing in the background. He briefly addressed the camera, stating simply, “We are carrying a heart.” This single statement underscored the extraordinary circumstances under which essential medical care is being delivered in Ukraine.

The Wider Impact of the Conflict on Healthcare

This incident is not isolated. Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, particularly its energy grid, have created a constant state of crisis for the country’s healthcare system. Prolonged blackouts disrupt essential hospital functions, forcing medical teams to adapt and innovate to continue providing care. The situation has been worsening, with the full-scale invasion entering its fourth year on February 24th.

In 2025 alone, at least 2,526 civilians were killed and over 12,000 injured, according to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. This represents a 31% increase in deaths compared to 2024 and a 70% increase compared to 2023. The UN mission directly attributed the increased harm to civilians to sustained attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Expert Insight: The ability of the Kyiv Heart Institute to maintain operations during prolonged power outages demonstrates a remarkable level of preparedness and resilience. The team’s investment in independent power sources, water supplies, and communication systems is a critical adaptation to the realities of war, ensuring continuity of care in the face of extreme adversity.

Adapting to Constant Crisis

The Kyiv Heart Institute has proactively built its own off-grid infrastructure to mitigate the impact of blackouts. This includes diesel-powered generators, independent water sources, Starlink internet connectivity, and boilers fueled by wood shavings. During a recent 12-hour blackout, while 10 patients were undergoing surgery, staff seamlessly transitioned to these backup systems, continuing to provide critical care.

The hospital also provides care to wounded soldiers, becoming adept at treating cardiac trauma, including the removal of bullets from the heart. More broadly, over 2,800 health facilities across Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed since 2022, according to the World Health Organization. The July 2024 missile strike on Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt paediatric hospital, which killed 37 people including three children, serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of healthcare facilities.

Looking Ahead

Dr. Todurov and his team recently visited Australia to share their experiences and learn from colleagues at Melbourne’s Alfred Health and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney. Despite the exhaustion and chronic stress stemming from four years of war, they remain committed to their “special mission” – providing life-saving care and supporting their colleagues. However, the ongoing attacks present a continuing threat. As Dr. Todurov noted during the interview, ballistic missiles were striking Kyiv even as he spoke, and the hospital was bracing for another blackout.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a donor heart remain viable outside the body?

According to Dr. Todurov, a donor heart has approximately four hours to be transported and transplanted after removal from the donor.

What is the impact of the war on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure?

Moscow’s relentless strikes on energy infrastructure constantly plunge most of Ukraine into prolonged blackouts, disrupting essential services, including healthcare.

How has the Kyiv Heart Institute adapted to the ongoing conflict?

The Kyiv Heart Institute has built its own off-grid infrastructure, including generators, water sources, and internet connectivity, to continue operating during blackouts.

Considering the challenges faced by medical professionals in Ukraine, what role can international collaboration play in supporting their efforts to provide care amidst ongoing conflict?

Doctors race through Kyiv missile strike to deliver child’s donor heart