Themes by tag: dead

Marking the 4th anniversary of the russian occupation of the village of Yahidne, the Public Interest Journalism Lab (PIJL) has produced an audio guide titled “Yahidne. A Village in Captivity.”
The presentation took place on March 3 in Yahidne itself, in the Chernihiv region, where 368 local residents became victims of russian war crimes.

It was on March 3, 2022, that russian troops herded almost all residents of the village into the basement of the local school, including dozens of elderly people, children, and infants. They were held there for nearly a month and used as a human shield, forbidden to leave the cramped space while russian soldiers set up a military headquarters inside the school building. Under these horrific conditions, ten people died in the basement.

The audio guide is a documentary tour of the site of a war crime — the school grounds and its basement.
The English-language version is narrated by American historian Timothy Snyder, while the voices of Yahidne residents in English are read by American writer and journalist Anne Applebaum, Canadian politician Khrystya Freeland, British journalist and propaganda researcher Peter Pomerantsev, American journalist Sabra Ayres, American-French writer Jonathan Littell, and American historian Marcy Shore.

The audio guide is available in Ukrainian and English on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
A QR code with the link is displayed on banners next to the school, which continues to be visited by tourists and foreign delegations.

By prior arrangement, journalists can speak with representatives of the Public Interest Journalism Lab online or in person in Kyiv.

Background: The PIJL team has a unique connection to the village community, as its journalists were among the first to visit the liberated Chernihiv region in April 2022.

Based on testimonies documented from Yahidne residents, the team produced a documentary film, which—together with a written report from the village—was published in TIME magazine in an issue dedicated to the publication’s centennial. In addition to English, the film has been translated into eight other languages: Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, and French.The story of Yahidne was also included in the reportage book “The Scariest Days of My Life”, which became a historical record of the first year of russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

• casualties
• dead
• occupation
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Serhiy Petrenko, a soldier with the pseudonym “Bashnya” — Natalia Petrenko’s son — died on the night of July 29, 2022. The soldier encountered a full-scale invasion in Mariupol, defended the city, then Azovstal, and before being taken prisoner on orders, he called his parents and told them to prepare his ammunition so that he could rejoin the army upon his return.

Serhiy Petrenko’s name was on one of the first lists of those killed during the russian terrorist attack in Olenivka. His mother, Natalia, decided not to shut herself away in her grief and to support Serhiy’s comrades. In memory of her son, she created the online platform “Basht,” which helps military personnel find their place in civilian life.

Natalia and her like-minded friends gathered useful information for veterans in one place: from medical, psychological, and legal assistance to courses and training.

Journalists can speak with Natalia Petrenko both online and in person in Kyiv, by prior arrangement.

• dead
• military
• russian crimes
• women
• Kyiv

On March 12, the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II will host an event to commemorate Benjamin Asher, a volunteer of Hungarian and Jewish descent who fought and died for Ukraine.

Benjamin was born on May 10, 2004, in Budapest, Hungary. In 2019, he moved with his father to Toronto, Canada, and became a permanent resident of that country.

In 2021, he signed a contract with the Hungarian Armed Forces, where he rose to the rank of sergeant. In March 2023, despite being diagnosed with “high-functioning autism” and serving in the military in another country, he went to Ukraine, where he joined one of the units of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. In January 2025, he transferred to the Third Army Corps, where he joined the logistics unit of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the 3rd OSBr, while also serving as a combat medic and rifleman.

Benjamin quickly made friends and brothers-in-arms in both units where he served. For his silence and concentration, he was given the nickname “Nemo.” He took part in battles in the Donetsk and Kharkiv directions.

He was killed on May 24, 2025, in the Kharkiv direction as a result of an enemy drone attack while helping another wounded foreign volunteer.

Benjamin was buried on November 27, 2025, at the National Military Memorial Cemetery (village of Markhalivka) with full military honors in the presence of representatives of the Hungarian and Jewish communities of Ukraine. The Chief Rabbi of Ukraine, Moshe Reuven Asman, led a prayer over his coffin together with the military chaplain.

Benjamin Asher was posthumously awarded the Iron Cross by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine and the Order of Courage, 3rd degree. On February 25, 2026, in the hall of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (Toronto), Benjamin was also awarded the “For Self-Sacrifice” medal.

Benjamin’s father, Nathan Asher, will be present at the memorial event.

• dead
• military
• Kyiv

Daria Ulman is the wife of soldier Kirill Ulman, who died on February 15, 2024. At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, her husband joined the ranks of the Volunteer Territorial Community Formation in Dnipro, which was created by veterans of the 12th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine “Azov.” In December 2022, he joined the ranks of the Third Separate Assault Brigade as part of an anti-tank battalion. Kirill was killed by a sniper’s bullet.

Daria says that her husband was fascinated by military affairs. After his death, she regretted not having started training with Kirill. Within a year, Daria completed six courses and underwent two full training programs. She later created her own community that provides military training for women. She named it Community Ulman in honor of her deceased beloved.

To date, more than 80 women have completed the training, and thanks to the project, 115,000 hryvnias have been donated to Kirill’s comrades-in-arms.

Journalists will have the opportunity to cover the training.

Daria Ulman is available for interviews both online and in person in Kyiv, upon prior arrangement.

• dead
• military
• women
• Kyiv

On March 2, the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War will host a memorial event titled “6700,” dedicated to honoring the victims of the 1943 Koriukivka tragedy. A total of 6,700 people were brutally killed on March 1–2 and 9 by Nazi occupation forces and their allies — the Hungarian 105th Light Division — who burned the settlement to the ground along with all its residents, from infants to the elderly and infirm.

The event launches an annual tradition of candle-lighting at the War Museum to commemorate the murdered civilians of the town of Koriukivka in Chernihiv region. This crime stands alongside Nazi atrocities in Lidice (Czech Republic), Khatyn (Belarus), and Oradour-sur-Glane (France).

Today, as russia deliberately commits war crimes against Ukraine’s civilian population, the Koriukivka tragedy takes on renewed significance, requiring reflection and international attention. All democratic forces must condemn crimes against humanity and remind the world that such crimes have no statute of limitations.

Background: The event is co-organized by the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance and the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War.

• culture
• dead
• Kyiv

On February 24, commemorative events will take place in the city of Bucha in the Kyiv region to honor the memory of civilians and defenders of Ukraine who were killed.

The program will include:
A requiem rally and memorial service honoring fallen Heroes;
A requiem rally and memorial service honoring innocent victims of russian aggression near the Wall of Remembrance;
A religious event, “Light of Prayer over Ukraine,” dedicated to the National Day of Prayer, with the participation of representatives of religious organizations of the Bucha City Territorial Community and the Pavlo Chubynsky National Academic Choir;
The unveiling of a memorial plaque to a fallen Defender;
A presentation of the book “Bucha. Women. War.”

• dead
• occupation
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion, Lviv will traditionally honor the memory of fallen Ukrainian defenders. On the evening of February 23, beams of remembrance will illuminate the sky above city cemeteries as a symbol of gratitude, sorrow, and enduring memory.

This year, the beams will shine over five fields of honorary burials. A joint prayer and the lighting of memorial candles will also take place.

• dead
• military
• Lviv

On February 20 in Kyiv, a commemorative ceremony will be held to honor the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred and participants of the Revolution of Dignity.

At the site where the largest number of peaceful protesters were killed during the Revolution of Dignity, a traditional ceremony will take place, including the laying of flowers, a memorial prayer service, and the ringing of the Bell of Remembrance.

The annual “Angels of Memory” campaign, launched in 2014, will also take place. Anyone can join the event and honor the memory of the fallen — all it takes is to make a paper angel and bring it to a memorial site in their city.

Journalists can find the full program of events marking the Day of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.

For reference: On February 20, 2014, the largest number of people — 48 — were killed in the center of Ukraine’s capital. Together with 54 other protesters who were killed or fatally wounded during the winter of 2013–2014, and five Maidan activists who died in the spring of 2014 while defending democratic values and Ukraine’s territorial integrity, they were named the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.

• dead
• Kyiv

Khrystyna’s husband was killed on December 6, 2022, while carrying out a combat mission. At the time, she was nine months pregnant. Nine days after losing her beloved, Khrystyna gave birth to their daughter, Sofia. Her father had chosen the name for her before he was killed.

Sofia has an older brother, 9-year-old Matvii. The boy was very close to his father. For him, as for the entire family, the loss became a painful blow.

One day at school, during a lesson called “I Explore the World,” the children were asked to draw a picture and answer the question: whom would you like to see if you could go back to the past? Matvii drew his father and wrote under the picture that he would like to see him.

The family was not left alone with their grief. They are supported by the “Children of Heroes” Foundation, which gives the children gifts for holidays and birthdays and organizes lectures and courses. Matvii attends a speed-reading course, which helps him grow and find new sources of strength. Khrystyna, meanwhile, is taking an art therapy course as a way to process her grief, regain inner balance, and find the strength to move forward.

By prior arrangement, journalists may speak with the family online.

• dead
• military
• women

The Maidan Museum, together with its partners, has prepared a program of events dedicated to the Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes.

In particular, on February 18 a commemorative event will be held to honor those who were killed on February 18, 2014, in Mariinsky Park. A memorial service for the Heavenly Hundred will also take place that day. After the service, flowers will be laid and memorial candles will be lit near the Wall of Remembrance for those who died for Ukraine.

On February 20, a ceremonial tribute to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred and the participants of the Revolution of Dignity will be held. At the site where the largest number of peaceful protesters were killed during the Revolution of Dignity, a traditional commemoration ceremony will take place, including the laying of flowers, a prayer service, and the sounding of the Bell of Remembrance.

The annual “Angels of Memory” campaign, launched in 2014, will also be held. Anyone can join and honor the memory of the fallen by making a paper angel and placing it at a memorial location in their city.

Journalists can review the full program of events for the Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes.

For reference: On February 20, 2014, the largest number of people — 48 — were killed in the center of Ukraine’s capital. Together with another 54 participants of the peaceful protests who were killed or fatally wounded during the winter of 2013–2014, as well as five Maidan activists who died in the spring of 2014 while defending Ukraine’s democratic values and territorial integrity, they were named the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.

• dead
• Kyiv