Media Center Ukraine Producer Department

Oleh Symoroz joined the Defense Forces at the start of the full-scale invasion. He defended Kyiv region as part of the Territorial Defense Forces and later deployed east with his unit. In October 2022, during a combat mission, his vehicle hit an enemy mine.

Both of his legs were amputated above the knee — one of the most challenging types of amputation for further prosthetic fitting. Oleh committed himself to rehabilitation and successfully adapted to prosthetic limbs. He later returned to civilian life, purchased a home, and joined the team of Protez Foundation, where he now serves as Head of Development and Reform of the Prosthetics System.

The veteran and the Protez Foundation team were invited to take part in the filming of the Ukrainian series “Return.” He plays a soldier who lost his legs on the front line — a role that echoes his real-life story. Protez Foundation supported the project: some scenes were filmed at the prosthetics center itself, prosthetists consulted the crew, provided technical assistance, and supplied prosthetic components for filming. The series will consist of eight episodes. The lead roles were performed by Yevhen Hryhoriev, a fighter of the “Wolves of Da Vinci” battalion, and actor Oleksandr Rudynskyi.

Journalists may speak with Oleh Symoroz both online and offline in Kyiv by prior arrangement.

For reference: Protez Foundation is a U.S.-based charitable organization that provides free prosthetic treatment and rehabilitation to Ukrainians who have lost limbs as a result of the war. Its mission is to help Ukrainian children, civilians, and service members receive high-quality prosthetics in the United States free of charge.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

If you are interested in this topic, you can obtain the subjects’ contacts from the Producer Department of Media Center Ukraine.

Petro Prysiedko has worked for several years at DTEK, where he is responsible for the design and development of the mobile application and online account platform for the YASNO project. During a lighthearted discussion with colleagues about unconventional business ideas, he came up with the concept of a “subscription” service for chickens and eggs.

In 2024, he applied for a business grant program. His startup was selected among the five winners — Petro received financial support and began implementing the idea.

Currently, he has one coop for 20 chickens and plans to build another in the spring. The rental service operates on a subscription model: for 1,000 hryvnias per month, a person chooses a chicken, gives it a name, and receives an “egg box” with 20 eggs. If the hen lays more eggs during the month, Petro donates the monetary difference to the Defense Forces. All 20 birds are already reserved, and there is a waiting list for new ones.

Journalists may speak with Petro Prysiedko both online and offline in Kyiv by prior arrangement.

• animals
• culture
• Kyiv

If you are interested in this topic, you can obtain the subjects’ contacts from the Producer Department of Media Center Ukraine.

On February 21, the exhibition “KHERSON: NOT/stolen” will open in the capital. The event is timed to the fourth anniversary of the start of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

The joint project “KHERSON: NOT/stolen” brings together studies and homages to looted museum artworks created by Ukrainian artists. Its goal is to support the Kherson Art Museum, which was looted by russian occupying forces before the city was liberated in November 2022.

For reference: The project was launched in 2024 as a study of the stolen collection of the Kherson Art Museum. It now seeks to draw attention to all Ukrainian museums that have been looted by russian occupying forces since the occupation of Crimea in March 2014 and up to the present day.

• culture
• occupation
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

If you are interested in this topic, you can obtain the subjects’ contacts from the Producer Department of Media Center Ukraine.

To remind the public about the defenders of “Azovstal” and other service members who remain in enemy captivity, peaceful events are planned in 30 cities.

On February 21, rallies will take place in Svitlovodsk, Dnipro, Okhtyrka, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Kovel, Shpola, Volochysk, Poltava, Zhytomyr, Pavlohrad, and Lviv.

On February 22, events are scheduled in Kyiv, Krolevets, Pivdennoukrainsk, Mykolaiv, Korop, Obukhiv, Ovruch, Kharkiv, Dolynska, Cherkasy, Lozova, Uzhhorod, Berdychiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Rivne, Chernivtsi, and Odesa.

The events are organized by the families of prisoners of war from the Mariupol garrison. Formerly captive Ukrainians who have been released from imprisonment also often take part in the rallies.

• prisoners
• russian crimes

If you are interested in this topic, you can obtain the subjects’ contacts from the Producer Department of Media Center Ukraine.