Themes by tag: casualties

Before the full-scale invasion, Mariupol resident Mykhailo Konyk had set up his own apiary in the city. He took care of 40 hives. On February 24, 2022, when russia began destroying the city, Mykhailo and his family hid in the basement where they stayed for several days to protect themselves from heavy shelling. Mykhailo received a concussion. In the end, the family managed to move to Ternopil oblast, and later to Mykhailo’s native region – Khmelnytskyi oblast. He knew that one of the forest farms in the region had an apiary. So, he turned to its director and offered his help. The apiary was in a bad condition, but Mykhailo managed to improve its operation, he even got about two tons of honey. After that, Mykhailo went to Kamianets-Podilskyi and now he is taking care of another abandoned apiary. Mykhailo works as a consultant and helps to restore the production of honey.

Mykhailo’s 40 hives remained in Mariupol; he could not take them out. The man dreams of returning to Ukrainian Mariupol to start rebuilding the apiary in the city destroyed by the russians.

For reference: the defense of Mariupol lasted 86 days. On May 20, 2022, Mariupol was occupied by the russians. The human rights organization Human Rights Watch estimated civilian casualties caused by the russian shelling of Mariupol to amount to at least 8,000. Thousands of people were injured: they lost limbs, sight, hearing or memory, particularly, as a result of craniocerebral injuries caused by the explosions. Also, according to Human Rights Watch estimates, out of the pre-war population of 540,000 people, about 400,000 residents had fled Mariupol by mid-May 2022.

• casualties
• occupation
• Khmelnytskyi
• Mariupol

On April 22, courses in computer diagnostics for women who have found themselves in difficult life circumstances will start in Kyiv. In particular, these are women who experienced domestic violence or suffered from war (those who had to leave their homes, lost their jobs, survived the occupation).

A total of 10 participants will be enrolled. During the selection process those with driving experience, basic knowledge of the structure and operation of the car and women planning to connect their work with computer diagnostics were given preferences.

The course is basic and will include one theoretical lesson and two in-depth practical ones.

By prior agreement, on Wednesday (April 24), journalists have the opportunity to cover a practical session at one of the capital’s service stations.

• casualties
• women
• Kyiv

Oleh, Yaroslav, Hlib, and their grandmother Oleksandra left their native village of Hnutove, which was one of the first settlements to experience the horror of a full-scale Russian offensive. Seeking salvation, the family went to Mariupol, but later it was besieged by Russians. Later, there was no electricity, gas, water, or service. The children and their grandmother had to survive literally. They stayed in the basement for two months. They managed to escape the occupation in their native village by being subjected to filtration in the notorious camp system. Thanks to donors, the Voices of Children Charity Foundation bought a house for a family in the Kyiv region.

In 2017, Oleh became the protagonist of the Danish director’s documentary The Distant Barking of Dogs, which told the story of Ukrainians on the front line that was shortlisted among 15 candidates for the 2019 Oscars in the Best Documentary Feature.

• casualties
• children
• occupation
• Mariupol

Before russia’s full-scale invasion, Viktor Litovchenko served in the special forces. At the beginning of the big war, Viktor was drafted into the military. His unit operated in Kharkiv region, and together with his brothers in arms, the man searched for enemy positions. On May 7, 2022, Viktor was seriously injured. Then he was evacuated, and later Viktor underwent his first surgery in Kharkiv. At that moment, the doctors told Viktor that it was unlikely that he would restore his walking ability. Relatives helped the veteran to come to terms with the new reality: within two months of rehabilitation, he managed to master a wheelchair and began to take care of himself without help. Later, Viktor joined the “Group of Active Rehabilitation” NGO in Volyn region and became an instructor for those who are just learning to use a wheelchair – both civilians and military personnel.

• casualties
• military
• Lutsk

Before the full-scale invasion, Andrii Pentsak worked as a physical therapist. He headed the rehabilitation department in the network of medical centers in Kyiv and helped Ukrainian defenders recover. With the beginning of the big war, Andrii joined the Hospitallers Medical Battalion (a volunteer organization of paramedics), but later he was mobilized to the 38th separate marine infantry brigade as a combat medic.

In October 2023, Andrii and his brothers in arms came under mortar fire in Kherson region. In the enemy shelling the soldier’s leg got crushed, and his Achilles tendon was damaged. In total, the man underwent 10 operations, was treated in 3 cities of Ukraine, and is currently in Lviv’s Unbroken center. Doctors predict that Andrii will be able to fully restore his walking ability. The veteran himself dreams of returning to work as a physical therapist to help people.

• casualties
• doctors
• military
• Lviv

Kyiv has recently kicked off an equine therapy program catered to both female and male veterans, including those in wheelchairs. 

This holistic approach, known as hippotherapy, utilizes interactions with horses to enhance both physical and psychological well-being.

The initiative, titled “Equine Assisted Therapy for Veterans and Wounded,” aims to accommodate 30 participants over a three-month period from April to June 2024. Notably, participation in the program is free of charge.

For reference: This project is spearheaded by the NGO “Union of Wounded Military of Ukraine ‘Strong 300’,” in collaboration with the Veterans Reintegration Program supported by IREX and the US Department of State.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Before the full-scale war, Olha Leus worked at an administrative service center in Mariupol. She was raising two sons: They are 10-year-old Hera and 16-year-old Mykhailo. Olha’s husband Volodymyr worked at the Azov Shipyard, and shortly before February 24, 2022, at the port.

Despite the escalating concerns about wider war, the family initially chose to remain in Mariupol, hoping for a swift expulsion of the invaders. However, as the situation worsened and the city became blockaded, evacuation became impossible.

Olha experienced relentless russian shelling and bombing for 11 consecutive days, culminating in tragedy on March 20, 2022, when her younger son sustained injuries from an enemy shell hitting their home, leaving him with leg wounds. A week later, her husband tragically passed away after leaving the house and never returning. His body was discovered by his mother-in-law and laid to rest in a local green space that once served as a sports ground.

It wasn’t until April 15, 2022, that Olha and her family were able to escape Mariupol. Following their displacement, the Children of Heroes Charitable Foundation stepped in to provide support, with Olha eventually joining as a specialist in aiding affected families. Meanwhile, her eldest son aspires to become a psychotherapist, aiming to assist those scarred by the horrors of war.

Journalists seeking to speak with Olha can arrange interviews in the Kyiv region.

For reference: After enduring 86 days of fierce defense, Mariupol fell under russian occupation on May 20, 2022. Human Rights Watch reports a staggering civilian death toll of at least 8,000 due to russian shelling, with thousands more suffering life-altering injuries, including amputations, blindness, deafness, and memory loss, often stemming from traumatic brain injuries caused by explosions. By mid-May 2022, approximately 400,000 residents had fled Mariupol, significantly reducing the pre-war population of 540,000.

In the wake of this devastation, the Children of Heroes organization steps in to aid children who have lost one or both parents in the war. The foundation offers financial assistance, psychological and legal support, and advocates for the education and development of these children as they transition into adulthood.

• casualties
• children
• dead
• occupation
• russian crimes
• women
• Kyiv
• Mariupol

Since the fall of 2019, Nataliia Haietska has been the head of the “Mariupol Zero Waste” initiative group, which includes “Eco Gurt” (eco team) environmental NGO. She has also been an activist in Mariupol. Her activity began with large waste sorting centers in Mariupol. Her team also introduced waste sorting in about 100 housing co-ops of the city. In 2020, the team engaged in environmental education for adults, children and students. They held the first eco-festival in Mariupol and launched a project to implement waste sorting and composting in Mariupol hospitality establishments and parts of Pryazovia area. Their plans were to cover the entire hospitality industry of the region.

Nataliia was caught by russia’s full-scale invasion in Mariupol. She could not leave in the first days because of sick parents. The woman had to survive under the siege for three weeks – under shelling and bombing. Upon receiving help, together with her parents, she was evacuated to Zaporizhia. Then they got to Lviv by evacuation train.

Despite the war, Nataliia together with her colleagues from Kherson in 2022 implemented an international project on making the hospitality sector of Ukraine greener. In 2023 it was scaled up to the current project “Restoration and Modernization of Hospitality Establishments Based on Zero Waste & Climate Friendly Principles for the Sustainable Development of Ukrainian Communities.” 

Nataliia is available for interviews in Lviv offline or online by appointment.

• casualties
• ecology
• occupation
• women
• Lviv
• Mariupol

Stanislav Onyshchuk, hailing from Ivano-Frankivsk, initially launched his business with a solo cosmetology center. Later, in collaboration with German investors, he established a plastic surgery clinic. However, with the onset of the full-blown invasion, Onyshchuk made a pivotal decision: transforming the facility into a volunteer surgical hospital, where wounded soldiers receive treatment at no cost.

According to Onyshchuk, the German investors swiftly agreed to reconfigure the hospital, leaving only the task of assembling a team of volunteer doctors. Fortunately, medical professionals from across Ukraine stepped up to offer their services pro bono. Today, the hospital in Prykarpattia not only provides essential treatment to injured soldiers but also facilitates their rehabilitation process.

The entrepreneur has additionally established a polyclinic offering free medical care to internally displaced persons.

• casualties
• doctors
• Ivano-Frankivsk

Olha was an operating room nurse at the Department of Surgery in Hospital No. 555 in Mariupol. Russia’s full-scale invasion caught her while in Mariupol: she was helping to rescue wounded soldiers and civilians (including children). At that time, the medics did not even have time to sleep.

The enemy bomb hit the hospital on March 16, 2022. (The woman was in the operating room at the moment of the attack. The blast wave blew away her and her colleagues). The next day, the nurse was sent to the Ilich Iron and Steel Works together with other doctors. Under extremely tough conditions, in a bunker, they had to do, among other things, bandages and amputations, and doctors even performed open brain neurosurgery.

On April 12, 2022, the nurse and other doctors were taken prisoner. Olha was held in occupied Olenivka, Russian Taganrog, Valuiky, and Kursk, among other places. She was held in captivity for six months. The woman faced humiliation, interrogations, physical and psychological pressure.

Journalists seeking to interview Olha can reach her either in person in Kyiv.

• casualties
• doctors
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• women
• Kyiv
• Mariupol