An Oshawa soldier injured while fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war is set to receive a long-awaited visit from his mother this week as he continues his recovery in a hospital in western Ukraine.
Amanda McGill of Oshawa will travel overseas to see her son, Ethan Custoza, who has spent the past several months recovering from serious injuries suffered during a drone attack while serving on the front lines of the conflict.
The emotional reunion comes after months of uncertainty following the attack in early October. Custoza, who turned 24 while serving overseas, was severely wounded during an assault operation in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine.
According to military officials who contacted McGill after the incident, a mortar explosion occurred near Custoza, causing multiple shrapnel wounds along the left side of his body. The blast also caused a collapsed lung and a severe fracture in his right leg, along with significant blood loss.
Despite the seriousness of his injuries, fellow soldiers quickly administered first aid before evacuating him from the combat zone. He was then transported through several medical facilities where doctors performed more than two dozen surgeries to stabilize his condition.
The Oshawa soldier injured in the attack is currently undergoing rehabilitation at a hospital in Truskavets, located south of the Ukrainian city of Lviv. Doctors are continuing to monitor his injuries as he begins a long recovery process that could take more than a year.
Custoza’s leg remains stabilized with an external fixator frame, a metal structure used to hold broken bones in place while they heal. Surgeons were able to control a dangerous infection in his leg, and doctors say the bone has begun to grow back, though his recovery remains uncertain.
McGill says the emotional toll on her son has also been significant. Being injured in a foreign country while facing a language barrier and prolonged hospitalization has been extremely difficult for him.
Still, the upcoming visit has brought renewed hope to both mother and son.
“I’m nervous, of course, but I’m more excited than anything,” McGill said. “I’m going to see my boy and give him the biggest hug.”
The journey to Ukraine was made possible thanks to strong community support in Oshawa. Friends and supporters launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover travel costs, raising more than $10,000 for the trip.
Members of the Ukrainian community in Oshawa also played an important role in supporting McGill during the past several months. Many gather regularly on the Simcoe Street bridge over Highway 401 to raise awareness and show solidarity with Ukraine.
McGill says the support she has received from the local Ukrainian community has meant a great deal during a difficult time.
For now, the focus remains on the long-awaited reunion as the Oshawa soldier injured in the conflict continues his recovery while surrounded by growing international support and encouragement from home.
