Themes by tag: casualties

Before the full-scale invasion, Volodymyr Savelyev worked in 3D design. After the war began, he started volunteering, and in the summer of 2023, he signed a contract and became a combat medic. Later, he became the commander of a reconnaissance platoon in one of the rifle battalions of the 116th Separate Mechanized Brigade.

While carrying out a mission in Donetsk Oblast, Volodymyr stepped on a mine and was seriously wounded. Volodymyr lost both legs, underwent 12 operations, but rehabilitated himself and mastered prosthetics.

After returning to civilian life, he started doing 3D design again. This job involves sitting in front of a monitor for hours, so the veteran missed live communication. He found few inclusive places for veterans, so he decided to create his own. This is how the Bereg coworking space appeared in Lviv, where veterans can work and socialize. The space is inclusive and suitable for people with injuries.

Journalists can arrange an interview with Volodymyr Saveliev either online or in person in Lviv, by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Lviv

Valeriia Vershynina was born and raised in Donetsk. In 2014, when russia first attacked Ukraine and occupied her hometown, she and her family evacuated to Kyiv.

In the capital, Valeriia joined the Charitable Foundation “Stabilization Support Services”, which supports internally displaced persons. She worked in a group that developed legislation concerning IDPs. In 2024, Valeriia became the head of the foundation. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the foundation has restored 1,964 facilities damaged by the war and provided legal and social assistance to more than 216,000 people.

In 2025, “Stabilization Support Services” faced challenges due to the suspension of funding from American donors. However, the team managed to secure support and continue its work. The foundation’s current priority is to find partners to support people affected by russia’s aggression. For example, over two years the team has completed 350 light repairs of homes damaged during hostilities in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions.

Interviews with Valeriia Vershynina can be arranged online or offline in Kyiv by prior arrangement.

Background: The Charitable Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” is a Ukrainian charitable organisation that, since 2016, has been addressing the social consequences of war and providing comprehensive support to internally displaced persons. The foundation delivers humanitarian and legal assistance, repairs damaged housing, strengthens the social protection system and develops the network of IDP Councils established by the foundation in 2019–2020. The foundation operates nationwide, focusing on the recovery of affected communities and improving access to social services for the most vulnerable groups.

• casualties
• occupation
• reconstruction
• women
• Kyiv

Veterans with musculoskeletal injuries or limb amputations can take part in the “Drivers” project. The initiative aims to provide veterans with disabilities the opportunity to acquire driving skills to ensure their mobility. It also creates opportunities for employment or for using these skills in their own business or civic activities. The project was launched in June 2024 and is implemented by the NGO “Employment Center of Free People”.

The second phase of the project started this February. Around 20 veterans will join the initiative. The programme begins with theoretical classes, followed by practical training.

By prior arrangement, journalists may cover the training in Kyiv or the Kyiv region.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Five Ukrainian veterans will participate in the international open-water swimming competition Oceanman Lago d’Orta (Italy). They will compete in the 2 km and 5.5 km distances.

All members of the team are veterans with amputations and severe injuries. Each has gone through war, prolonged medical treatment, and rehabilitation. They are currently preparing for the international competition and train four times a week.

Team Members:

• Ivan Khalupa — veteran of the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade. He lost a leg in combat. Swimming became part of his systematic rehabilitation. He has experience in international competitions.

• Ihor Oliinyk — veteran of the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade. He began swimming after being wounded to restore psychological balance.

• Serhii Khrapko — lost an arm and a leg in 2015. Participant of the Invictus Games and Warrior Games. Has extensive experience in sports rehabilitation.

• Volodymyr Shanayda — was wounded in 2023. After a year of treatment, he began swimming. Oceanman will be his first international competition.

• Ihor Bystryi — combat veteran since 2016. He was wounded in 2022 by a cluster munition. After rehabilitation, he continues his sports training.

The project aims to support veterans’ participation in an international sporting event and highlight the role of sport in physical and psychological rehabilitation. It promotes the development of veteran sports and raises awareness of recovery through sport.

By prior arrangement, journalists may cover training sessions in Kyiv.

Background: The project is implemented by the charitable foundation YANKO Fund. Logistical support is provided by the concierge service FlyPoint. The team trains under the supervision of medical specialists, coaches, and rehabilitation professionals. The Oceanman organizing committee has provided the athletes with complimentary entry passes for the competition.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Kyiv

Dmytro Kanupier was serving in the 12th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine “Azov” in Mariupol when the full-scale invasion began. In April 2022, he sustained two shrapnel wounds. Together with his fellow soldiers, he defended the Azovstal steel plant.

Dmytro and his comrades discussed various possible outcomes of the battle in Mariupol, including suicide. Ultimately, in late May 2022, the fighters received orders to surrender and entered russian captivity.

Until September 26, 2022, Dmytro was held in a penal colony in Olenivka in the occupied part of Donetsk region. He was later transferred to Taganrog, russia. There, according to the serviceman, prisoners were subjected to severe beatings and torture in order to extract so-called “confessions” to fabricated crimes.

While in captivity, Dmytro was sentenced to 29 years in a high-security penal colony for a war crime he did not commit. He returned to Ukraine on October 18, 2024, as part of a prisoner exchange.

Since then, he has undergone rehabilitation, taken up sports, returned to service with Azov, and continues to speak publicly about captivity and those who remain imprisoned.

Interviews with Dmytro Kanupier are available online or in person by prior arrangement and coordination with the press service.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes

Before the full-scale invasion, Artem Sokolov worked as an assistant locomotive driver at Ukrzaliznytsia, and his passion was sport motorcycles.

With the start of the full-scale war, he joined the Territorial Defense Forces and later volunteered for the police assault brigade “Liut” (“Fury”). Artem was deployed to Donetsk region after nine months of basic military training and unit coordination. In October 2023, he went on his first combat mission. An enemy drone spotted the group, and a mine exploded near him. Artem sustained severe injuries and could only be evacuated several hours later. Doctors had to amputate both of his legs.

Artem underwent prosthetic fitting and rehabilitation. The first thing he did after returning home was get behind the wheel of a car. Later, he tried riding a friend’s motorcycle. Realizing he could successfully control it even with prosthetics, he soon bought his own bike. Today, the veteran is looking for a position within the military, as despite his disability he is determined to return to service.

Interviews with Artem Sokolov are available both online and offline in Poltava by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Poltava

Participants:
Ihor Kotelyanets, head of the NGO “Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners”;
Tetiana Maletska, clinical psychologist at the “Lisova Polyana” Center for Mental Health and Rehabilitation;
Azat Azatian, founder of a rehabilitation center in Zaporizhzhia, former political prisoner;
Yurii Shapovalov, released from unlawful imprisonment, representative of the NGO “29 December.”

Discussion topics:
– a real, rather than formal, rehabilitation system for people returning from unlawful detention;
– what state policy in the field of rehabilitation of released civilians should look like.

Background: Thousands of Ukrainians who have experienced unlawful imprisonment face new challenges after their release — from health problems and psychological consequences of torture to complex bureaucratic procedures. Activists have analyzed current legislation and its implementation and propose a vision for how state policy on the rehabilitation of released civilians should be structured, as well as specific decisions and steps that need to be taken immediately.

• casualties
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Before the full-scale invasion, Yaroslav Vinnichenko specialized in removing unwanted tattoos. His practice also included treating the consequences of firework explosions and removing foreign particles embedded under the skin after бытов injuries. So when, in May 2022, a woman approached him with injuries caused by a landmine explosion, he agreed to help.

Since then, Yaroslav has decided to work on such cases free of charge. He encourages his students and colleagues to join the initiative and help those who have suffered and received traumatic “tattoos.”

Today, this assistance is available free of charge in every region of Ukraine. To receive help, a person affected must contact Yaroslav directly — he will refer them to the nearest specialist.

Interviews with Yaroslav Vinnichenko are available both online and offline in Kharkiv by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• volunteers
• Kharkiv

In the city of Boryslav, Lviv region, Ukraine’s first winter adaptive sports center for male and female war veterans with lower-limb amputations has begun operating at the Bukovytsia ski resort.

During the first open training sessions, veterans learned the Three-Track Skiing technique — skiing on one ski using two outriggers — under the guidance of alpine skiing instructors, physical therapists, and veterans who completed certified training in the United States.

Going forward, within the Hub, veterans will receive ongoing free access to the Bukovytsia ski infrastructure, modern adaptive equipment, adaptive skiing lessons from professional instructors, and peer-to-peer mentorship.

According to Oleksandr Shvachka, veteran and president of the Alliance of Veterans organization, the creation of the Hub at the Bukovytsia ski complex is one of the stages in developing a large-scale infrastructure for the physical and psychological rehabilitation of Ukrainian veterans through adaptive alpine skiing.

By prior arrangement, journalists may cover the activities of the hub.

For reference: The Hub was initiated by the public organization “Alliance of Veterans” as part of the Adaptive Skiing for Veterans project, with the support of the Bukovytsia ski resort, the charitable foundation Razom for Ukraine, and the Boryslav City Council.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Lviv

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