Themes by tag: casualties

The Lviv State University of Internal Affairs has a driving school for people with disabilities. Since the launch of the “Without Barriers” project, 20 students have received their driving licenses. Among them are seven servicemen who were injured on the front lines.

In September 2024, the driving school began training people with hearing and speech impairments. The students completed the theoretical course with the help of sign language interpreters. Currently, some students have already passed the theoretical exam and are preparing for practical driving lessons. Driving practice is also carried out with the help of interpreters.

You can communicate with the project participants and instructors of the driving school for people with disabilities online or offline by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Lviv

In a remarkable blend of art and healing, an organ built using fragments of enemy missiles that struck the Kyiv region is being used to aid the psychological and physical rehabilitation of wounded defenders. Over the next two months, musicians from the Lviv Organ Hall will conduct a series of master classes for patients at the Unbroken Ukraine’s National Rehabilitation Center. These sessions will allow participants to play this extraordinary instrument and learn about its history and mechanics.  

The organ, currently installed at the Lviv railway station, is the creation of Ukrainian artist Zhanna Kadyrova. It was developed as part of the Instrument project, a series of performances that brought together Ukrainian and international musicians. Over the course of two months, performers delivered their programs at the station every Friday and Saturday, using the organ as a centerpiece.  

For reference: The rehabilitation initiative for Ukraine’s wounded defenders is a joint effort supported by Ukrzaliznytsia, the Lviv Organ Hall, and the Lviv City Council. 

• casualties
• culture
• military
• psychological support
• Lviv

Andriy Stanko lost his eyesight as a child. A year ago, he became a mentor for blind people in an inclusive library in Lviv called Sensoteka. This inclusive space is equipped with everything needed for the visually impaired: the floors have tactile tiles with raised dots to help blind people navigate with a cane. The library also prints books in Braille.

Twice a week, Andriy visits Sensoteka, where he teaches digital literacy to blind people. His mentees include veterans who lost their sight on the front lines.

Using a specialized program called NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA), Andriy has already added accessibility features to a laptop, desktop computer, and two tablets in the inclusive space.

You can talk to Andriy both online and offline by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• culture
• Lviv

Researchers in Kyiv have developed an innovative medical dressing, Gidrobint, designed to accelerate the healing of burns and wounds. This pioneering hydrogel dressing, created using silver nanoparticle technology, was developed by Professor Volodymyr Neimash of the Institute of Physics at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Gidrobint comes in two forms: a wound dressing and a disinfectant spray.  

The idea for Gidrobint originated in 2014 after the battle for Ilovaisk in Donetsk Oblast, where hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers were injured. Scientists patented the underlying technology in 2017 and introduced the dressing in 2020. Initially, small batches of Gidrobint were independently produced and delivered to the front lines by volunteers.  

When russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the researchers offered their technology to manufacturers free of charge to facilitate mass production. By 2023, entrepreneurs acquired a license for the technology, automating and certifying the production process. In 2024, Gidrobint officially entered large-scale manufacturing.  

For reference: This next-generation Gidrobint hydrogel bandage provides instant pain relief, disinfection, and protection from external infections. It is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and speeds up the healing process without adhering to wounds, ensuring painless removal.  

Journalists interested in learning more about Gidrobint can arrange interviews with its developer, Professor Neimash, as well as with manufacturers and doctors experienced in using the product.  

• casualties
• doctors
• military
• Kyiv

Mykyta Horniak, a veteran of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, has transformed personal tragedy into a mission to help others. Originally from Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov) in the Luhansk region—now under russian occupation—Mykyta moved to Odesa in 2015 and joined the Azov civilian corps. A year later, at the age of 20, he was mobilized into Ukraine’s Defense Forces, where he served on the front lines for six years.  

In December 2022, while fighting near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region, Mykyta sustained a severe injury that resulted in the loss of his leg. Determined to remain active, he initially explored options for continuing military service with a prosthetic limb. However, he ultimately decided to channel his efforts into a new venture in civilian life.  

During his rehabilitation, Mykyta’s fiancée, Kateryna, played a pivotal role in supporting him. She encouraged his idea of creating a limited-edition clothing line honoring wounded soldiers. Starting with patches and printed designs on T-shirts, Mykyta quickly realized the need for adaptive clothing designed specifically for individuals with amputations—clothing that would be both functional and comfortable. Now, Mykyta is preparing to launch his brand, fittingly named “All Inclusive,” and is awaiting test samples of the adaptive apparel. 

For those interested, Mykyta and Kateryna are available to meet in person or online in Lviv by appointment.

• casualties
• military
• occupation
• Lviv

Stepan Korobkin, 25, is from the town of Myrnohrad in the Donetsk oblast, which is currently on the front line. In November 2020, Stepan joined the Defense Forces on contract and served in an assault mortar battery. He was on active duty when the full-scale invasion began.

In June 2022, Stepan suffered his first injury, but soon returned to the front. In 2023, he lost his right arm in an artillery attack.

The amputation and 32 surgeries did not prevent Stepan from returning to civilian life. During his rehabilitation, the veteran received and mastered a prosthetic right arm and found a new passion – soccer. He also volunteered to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, to prove that amputation is not the end of life and that there is always a way to move forward. After his successful climb, Stepan was entered into the National Register of Records of Ukraine.

You can speak with Stepan Korobkin online or in person in Kyiv by prior arrangement. The veteran is ready to share photos and videos of his Kilimanjaro climb with journalists.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

On February 1, Dutch volunteers Franky and Coen, widely recognized for their unwavering support for Ukraine, will embark on their 30th humanitarian mission to the war-torn region. The duo plans to continue their signature effort of distributing fries and Dutch snacks to those affected by the conflict in Donbas, having already served over 200,000 portions. However, their mission extends beyond food aid—they will once again assist in evacuating individuals from frontline areas who are unable to escape on their own. These evacuees will find refuge at “The Holland House,” a shelter run by the volunteers in Dnipro.  

Franky and Coen are no strangers to the dangers of their work. In a previous mission, they narrowly survived a deadly rocket attack in Kramatorsk that claimed 13 lives and left both of them with minor injuries.  

Journalists interested in speaking with Franky and Coen can arrange interviews with them in Kyiv or Dnipro.  

The duo’s volunteer journey began at the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Franky, who owns a snack bar in the Netherlands and operates food trucks at events, was struck by images of refugees lining up at the Polish-Ukrainian border. What started as a one-time plan to hand out fries at the border soon turned into a full-scale humanitarian mission, with support from his friend Coen. Their efforts quickly expanded beyond the border. They initially worked in the Lviv region, then moved to areas in the Kyiv region that had just been liberated. Their subsequent missions took them to Kharkiv, Donbas, and eventually to Kherson and Zaporizhia. Over the past two years, Franky and Coen have consistently returned to some of the most dangerous regions in Ukraine, providing both aid and hope to those in need.

• casualties
• food
• russian crimes
• volunteers
• Dnipro
• Kyiv
• evacuation

On January 22, a training session using an adaptive sit ski for veterans will be held in Kyiv. Three veterans will take part in the session.

By prior arrangement, journalists are welcome to cover the event.

Background: Veterans, people with disabilities and their families can take advantage of the free “Active Parks” project until the end of February to train in skiing, snowboarding and using an adaptive sit ski at the Golosiyv Ski Park in Kyiv. Tempo Dualski is a safe and professional tool for skiing and snowboarding for people with disabilities. The sessions will be conducted by experienced instructors.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Tetiana Hatsura-Yavorska, a citizen of Belarus, has been a human rights activist since 2006. Later she founded the human rights organization “Zvyano”. After the Belarusian protests in 2020, a criminal case was opened against Tetiana for her activism, which displeased the Belarusian authorities. She was arrested and threatened that her child would be sent to an orphanage. Her husband took the child and fled the country. After spending 10 days in a detention center, Tetiana was released but banned from leaving Belarus.

After russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Tetiana decided to leave Minsk illegally. Upon arriving in Kyiv, she immediately began volunteering and raising funds to purchase vacuum therapy devices for hospitals. During two years of war, she raised more than 100,000 euros for these devices. She later founded the “Lanka” rehabilitation center for wounded soldiers.

At “Lanka”, soldiers recover from injuries to their arms, legs and spine, and can also receive treatment for gastrointestinal and neurological problems. Since its inception, the center has rehabilitated 60 soldiers, including international volunteers.

You can contact Tetiana Hatsura-Yavorska online or in person in Kyiv by prior arrangement. 

• casualties
• military
• women
• Kyiv

Peaceful events are planned in 22 cities across Ukraine to raise awareness of the defenders of Azovstal and other soldiers still in enemy captivity.

On January 18, rallies will be held in Ochyrka, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Bila Tserkva, Kolomyia and Pavlohrad.

On January 19, peaceful actions are scheduled in Kyiv, Pivdenoukrainsk, Krolevets, Ovruch, Korosten, Kremenchuk, Uzhhorod, Mykolaiv, Rivne, Berdychiv, Korostyshiv, Ternopil, Cherkasy and Kropyvnytskyi.

The events are organized by the families of POWs from the Mariupol garrison. The rallies are often attended by Ukrainians who have been released from captivity.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv