Themes by tag: casualties

An innovative program is bringing adaptive wakeboarding to soldiers with various injuries and amputations in Kyiv. The initiative, “Wake Accessible,” is part of the ONE TEAM FORCES public organization’s efforts to demonstrate that even extreme sports can be accessible to those recovering from significant injuries. The program aims to help military veterans test their limits and rebuild their confidence and physical self-assurance.

Training sessions are held weekly and involve defenders who have lost one or more limbs. The project has been active for two months and has engaged approximately ten participants so far.

Journalists interested in covering these sessions can arrange to observe the classes in Kyiv.

For context: ONE TEAM FORCES supports combatants who served BEFORE and AFTER February 24, 2022, and who have experienced injuries or psychological trauma due to russia’s armed aggression.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Indira Urusova, a native of Mariupol, has transformed her harrowing experience of living under russian occupation into a force for good. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Indira began her studies at a university in Kyiv, but later switched to distance learning and returned to Mariupol. She was at home with her family when russia launched its full-scale invasion. Initially, they held out hope for a swift ceasefire, but as the conflict dragged on, it became clear that escape was their only option.

Their car was damaged by explosions, but Indira and her parents managed to reach russian-occupied Berdiansk. From there, they made a perilous journey through russian territory, eventually finding refuge in Bulgaria. The family remained in Bulgaria until October 2022, before returning to Kyiv.

Haunted by the devastation in her hometown, Indira sought a way to help her country. She created a drawing of a burning house in Mariupol, captioned: “We will survive, because the sun rises over the free Azov.” This artwork sparked the creation of KRYLATI, a charity project dedicated to raising awareness about Mariupol, Donetsk, and the Pryazovia region.

Alongside a colleague, Indira organizes workshops and lectures for young people, challenging myths and spreading the truth about the region. All proceeds from KRYLATI are donated to support the Ukrainian military.

• casualties
• occupation
• women
• Kyiv
• Mariupol

On Thursday, August 29, military personnel who sustained injuries will swim 1,000 meters in Kyiv. The participants include defenders with upper and lower limb amputations. The event will take place in one of the capital’s swimming pools.

The event takes place within the “Swimming from 0 to 1000 m” project. This is a swimming initiative for military personnel recovering from injuries. Its goal is to help fighters regain confidence in themselves and their bodies. During training in the pool, participants learn to swim, develop strength and endurance.

Training takes place three times a week, twice a week massage therapists attend to the injured military. In total, since October 2023, more than 150 people have attended the training.

For reference: The project was created by “ONE TEAM FORCES” NGO. It is a community that strives to implement a comprehensive approach to open up personalized opportunities for the comprehensive recovery of the wounded military. It helps combatants who were in service BEFORE and/or AFTER February 24, 2022 and were injured or psychologically traumatized as a result of the armed aggression of the russian federation.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

On August 29, Kyiv will hold an event to support prisoners of war and missing persons, bringing together relatives, friends, and officials.

Families and friends of prisoners of war, along with representatives from the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, are expected to participate in the event.

The gathering is organized by the Association “Strength of the Marines Corps.”

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv

On August 22, the “Voices Camp” will begin its fourth session in Ukraine’s Zakarpattia region, offering a safe haven for children aged 10-16 who have been affected by the ongoing conflict. The camp specifically welcomes those from de-occupied and frontline areas, providing them with an environment where they can connect with peers, receive psychosocial support, and explore their talents and creativity. Over the course of two weeks, participants will have the opportunity to make new friends and begin to heal from the traumas of war.

Journalists interested in covering the camp and its activities can obtain more information through the foundation.

For context: This summer camp is organized by The Voices of Children Charitable Foundation, with financial backing from the Olena Zelenska Foundation. 

The camp’s mission is more critical than ever, as nearly half of Ukraine’s children—44%—are showing signs of potential post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a recent Future Index study.

• casualties
• children
• psychological support
• Uzhhorod

Khrystyna Drahomaretska, 27 years old, is an architect by profession. With the beginning of the full-scale war, the woman started rescuing homeless animals and evacuating them from the war zone. She continues working despite the enemy shelling. For example, recently in Toretsk, Donetsk region, three russian guided aerial bombs struck not far away from Khrystyna. And in Vovchansk, Kharkiv oblast, while rescuing animals, Khrystyna sustained a shrapnel wound from enemy mortar fire.

As a rescuer, she uses a catch pole and a blow-pipe. Khrystyna works with her dog (German shepherd) Miledi that helps to find animals, which Khrystyna has hit with a tranquilizer dart, as they still have a few minutes to run away.

Khrystyna also founded a shelter for four-legged friends in Odesa, where she evacuates some animals from the war zone. There they are treated, taught to behave in the society and put up for adoption (about 70% of the animals go abroad). Currently, there are 160 dogs in Khrystyna’s shelter.

Journalists can learn more about Khrystyna’s work and communicate with her online or in person by prior arrangement.

For reference: Khrystyna rescues animals from the war zone together with the 12 Vartovykh (Guards) Charitable Foundation. She also joined the UAnimals rescue mission.

• animals
• casualties
• women
• Odesa

Twelve years ago, Ihor Tsyba and his family established an ostrich farm in their backyard in the village of Verkhnia Syrovatka, located in Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast. Over the years, the farm grew to house more than 50 different bird species. However, when russia’s full-scale invasion began, their tranquil village was occupied, putting all the animals at risk.

In early March 2022, heavy shelling ravaged the area, injuring several of the birds in their enclosures. Tragically, three ostriches had to be put down due to the severity of their injuries.

After the village was liberated, Tsyba’s farm took on a new mission: rehabilitating wild animals affected by the war. Among the new residents are a roe deer that lost a leg after being struck by a combine harvester and a swan that was rescued from the ice with its wings severely damaged. Despite the challenges, Tsyba uses his own funds to keep the farm running.

For reference, Ihor Tsyba is based in the Sumy region and is available for interviews with journalists, both online and in person, by prior arrangement.

• animals
• casualties
• occupation
• Sumy

A groundbreaking adaptive yachting project for people with disabilities, including military veterans, has been launched in Kyiv. The initiative has already attracted more than 20 participants, both men and women, many of whom are veterans. Among them are individuals who have lost limbs and rely on wheelchairs for mobility.

The classes, which are offered free of charge, take place twice a week and cover both theory and practical training on the water. Participants are taught essential sailing skills, such as determining the boat’s position relative to the wind and managing the sails.

Currently, the project is in an experimental phase, but the organizers have ambitious plans to expand it across Ukraine and enhance the program’s resources and equipment.

For context: The adaptive yachting project was founded by Ihor Yatluk, a seasoned yacht captain and sailing athlete with five decades of experience, who also leads the NGO Vodnyk. He is joined by co-founder Nataliia Tyshchuk, a business consultant and fellow yacht captain.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

In 2019, Vladyslav Zadorin enlisted in the Ukrainian army, becoming part of the 35th Marine Brigade. When russia launched its full-scale invasion, he found himself stationed on Snake Island. Alongside his fellow defenders, Zadorin was captured by russian forces in the early days of the conflict.

Over the course of two grueling years in captivity, Zadorin endured both physical and psychological torture. His body, once strong, was ravaged by starvation—he lost 60 kilograms, nearly half of his total weight. In the dire conditions of the prison, prisoners were left to starve. Vladyslav recalls the extreme measures they took to survive, with some resorting to eating worms and even chewing on toilet paper.

Vladyslav only learned of his release on a bus ride, a moment filled with disbelief as he had been led to believe he was being transferred to yet another prison. On January 3, 2024, he was finally brought back to Ukraine. Now, Zadorin is undergoing rehabilitation in Odesa. Despite the trauma, he plans to return to military service—this time as an instructor, determined to share his experiences and knowledge.

Vladyslav is open to speaking with journalists, both online and in person, by appointment.

For reference: The battle for Snake Island began on February 24, 2022, with a missile strike on the Ukrainian border garrison. Despite the destruction of all structures on the island, Ukrainian forces continued to resist. After hours of intense fighting, the russian military captured the island and took its defenders prisoner. 

However, on June 30, 2022, the russian forces hastily withdrew from Snake Island, and on July 4, the Ukrainian military raised their flag over the reclaimed territory.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Odesa

Eoin, an Irishman, is in charge of rebuilding 10 houses in Chernihiv oblast that were destroyed as a result of the full-scale invasion. He came to Ukraine last year as a volunteer, but later became the chief foreman in the international construction camp INBUT organized by Repair Together NGO.

Eoin is a carpenter by trade. In the summer of 2023, he came to Ukraine with his work tools to join the restoration efforts for 4 weeks on a volunteer basis. However, he stayed for 5 months, because Eoin was put in charge of coordinating the work at 10 sites developed by INBUT volunteers. This year, the Irishman returned to finish the houses.

Many other foreign volunteers work together with Eoin in the Chernihiv oblast. In particular, Filip from the Czech Republic.

For reference: INBUT (international construction camp) is a project of Repair Together NGO, which launched last year. With the help of about a thousand people from 27 countries, INBUT built frames of 10 houses in place of those destroyed during the hostilities. This year, 22 foreign volunteers from 11 countries worked with INBUT: U.S., France, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Austria, Germany, Ireland, England, Chile.

• casualties
• reconstruction
• volunteers
• Chernihiv