Media Center Ukraine Producer Department

Nataliia Ilina, a resident of Bucha in the Kyiv region, has been organizing peaceful rallies in her city since early 2026 to remind society about those who have yet to return home, and to draw attention to the issue of the missing and prisoners of war. A total of eight such actions have already taken place.

One of them, titled “Light of Hope,” saw participants release lanterns into the sky, while an empty chair stood at the center of a circle — a reminder of the place still waiting for its owner.

Nataliia met her future husband, Mykola, on February 6, 1998, at Bucha City Hospital, where they had both come as patients. She says it was love at first sight. Exactly a year later, on February 6, 1999, they got married. On February 6, 2004, they were married in church, and on February 6, 2007, their daughter was born.

The full-scale invasion found the family in Bucha. On the third day, they managed to evacuate to Ivano-Frankivsk. (Bucha was under russian occupation from late February to March 31, 2022).

On March 6, 2022, Mykola volunteered to defend the country. He served in Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces and took part in combat near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. Later, he continued his service with the 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On February 3, 2025, he went missing near the village of Dachne in the Donetsk region.

By prior arrangement, journalists can speak with Nataliia Ilina in Bucha. Another peaceful rally in support of the missing and prisoners of war is scheduled to take place in the city on May 2.

• military
• women
• Kyiv

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

On April 25, the Urban Park at VDNG in Kyiv will become an open-air sports venue. It will host Urban Flow: Jump 2.0, a large-scale jump rope flash mob bringing together amateurs, athletes, and anyone looking to get moving.

The event demonstrates how a simple jump rope can become part of modern urban culture — dynamic, accessible, and visually engaging.

Program includes:

• an open warm-up session with Kateryna Nikitina;
• showcase performances and jump rope tricks by Anastasiia Kosenko;
• a DJ set by Yampolsky;
• a mass jump rope flash mob for all participants.

Journalists are required to obtain accreditation to attend the event.

Background: Urban Flow: Jump is a format that combines sport with music, rhythm, and the urban environment. No special training is required — participants simply need to show up and join in.

The event is organized by the Mass Sports Agency of Ukraine with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.

It is part of a broader movement promoting accessible sport in urban spaces and encouraging simple forms of physical activity that can be easily integrated into everyday life.

• culture
• Kyiv

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

Max Dorman, a German national, worked as a paramedic in Hamburg. When russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he and his friends began helping Ukrainian refugees in Germany. Later, he started traveling to Lviv as a volunteer.

Over time, Max became one of the co-founders of Artesans ResQ Ukraine, an organization focused on evacuating the wounded. Its medics have helped more than 3,000 Ukrainians — both military personnel and civilians.

Today, the Artesans ResQ Ukraine team is based in Dnipro and includes both Ukrainians and international members. Each month, the organization carries out around 150 evacuation missions. Its medics operate ambulance-based intensive care units across Ukraine and abroad.

By prior arrangement, journalists can speak with Max Dorman and the Artesans ResQ Ukraine team both online and in person in Dnipro.

• doctors
• volunteers
• Dnipro
• evacuation

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