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An event dedicated to the fallen soldier Kostiantyn Yuzviuk will be held in 28 cities of Ukraine. The event is organized by the relatives of the Ukrainian defender and the NGO “Vshanuy” (“Honor”). January 18 marks six months since the death of serviceman Kostiantyn Yuzviuk, who was an activist, vegan, animal rights defender and photographer.

Kostiantyn joined the Revolution of Dignity as a teenager. At 14, he became a volunteer, and at 22, he enlisted as a volunteer in the Defense Forces.

Background: The NGO “Vshanuy” works on the development and implementation of new remembrance practices in Ukraine. One of the organization’s goals is to promote the observance of a moment of silence at the national level. One of their key mottos is: “Remember the fallen — support the living”.

• dead
• military

Before joining the Azov Brigade, Svitlana Vorova worked as a senior engineer at Ukrzaliznytsia and raised three children. One of her sons, Oleksandr Kutuzakii, was in the Azov Brigade from the very beginning. On 15 February 2015, the vehicle carrying Svitlana’s son was ambushed by enemy forces. His body was taken by kadyrov’s troops and returned mutilated, but Svitlana chose to bury him in an open coffin to expose the brutality of the enemy.

The loss of Oleksandr was devastating for Svitlana, especially after the deaths of her father and father-in-law and a divorce. Her two younger children helped her to cope with the loss and find the strength to move on.

In 2020, she decided to honour the legacy of her fallen son by joining the Azov Brigade herself.

When the full-scale invasion began, Svitlana was in Mariupol with her comrades and soon found herself in Azovstal. Although her commander offered women the chance to leave through a green corridor, Svitlana stayed. She spent 86 days in the steelworks, was taken prisoner with her comrades and spent 11 months in a russian prison camp. According to Svitlana, the women were not physically tortured, but they were subjected to constant psychological abuse. On her return, Svitlana spent eight months in rehabilitation centres, hospitals and sanatoriums. She then re-joined the army.

Svitlana Vorova is currently serving in the East. Interviews with her can be arranged online or in person by prior arrangement with the Azov Brigade press service.

• casualties
• dead
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• women

For 23 years, Viktor Penkovyi served as a military pilot, dedicating his life to protecting Ukraine. When russia launched its all-out invasion, he answered the call to defend his homeland. Tragically, Viktor lost his life during a combat mission.  

His wife, Svitlana Penkova, was devastated by the loss. The grief left her struggling to find her footing. At times, the emotional and physical toll was overwhelming—she would spend days confined to her home, unable to even embrace her child due to the sheer weight of her pain.  

A year after Viktor’s passing, Svitlana channeled her grief into action. She founded the Reborn NGO, an organization dedicated to supporting the families of fallen heroes. She also began writing, pouring her emotions into a book that would honor her husband’s legacy. The result was Ukrainian Hummingbirds, a heartfelt tribute to Viktor.  

Through her work, Svitlana hopes to send a powerful message: even in the aftermath of profound loss, it is possible to find a new purpose while preserving the memory of those we hold dear.  

Journalists can arrange to meet Svitlana in Vinnytsia or Kyiv, or communicate with her online.  

For reference: The Children of Heroes charity foundation currently supports the Penkova family. The foundation assists children who have lost one or both parents due to russia’s invasion, providing financial aid, psychological and legal support, and fostering their education and development until adulthood.

• dead
• military
• women
• Kyiv
• Vinnytsia

Oksana Smirnova, a resident of Irpin in the Kyiv region, faced an unimaginable tragedy when her son, Serhii, stayed behind to defend their hometown during the early days of russia’s full-scale invasion. Serhii was killed in the Battle of Irpin on his birthday—March 25, 2022. 

In the wake of her loss, Oksana, a former designer, turned to art therapy as a way to heal and help others. She established a safe space for women affected by the war, where they could find solace through creative expression. At her workshops, participants craft three-dimensional toys, woolen paintings, and drawings. The handmade items are sold at fairs supporting the families of fallen soldiers, with all proceeds donated to the siblings of the deceased.

The community Oksana has built includes women who have lost loved ones at the front, those with husbands fighting on the frontlines, and displaced women seeking a sense of connection.

Journalists can arrange to speak with Oksana either in Irpin or virtually. Her next workshop is tentatively set for next week.

• dead
• military
• women
• Kyiv

Violetta and Oleh Nahornyi spent their lives in Vinnytsia, where Oleh worked in the building materials business and Violetta taught voice lessons. Together, they raised three children—a son and two daughters. Their peaceful life was shattered by the onset of the full-scale invasion, which destroyed their sense of security and shattered their plans for the future.

On the very first day of the all-out invasion, Oleh enlisted in the Territorial Defense Forces, determined to protect his family. Tragically, on May 14, 2024, he was fatally wounded while attempting to rescue his injured comrades.

A combat medic who was with Oleh in his final moments shared that the fallen soldier’s thoughts were with his family. “He asked me to tell you that he loves Violetta and the children very much, and to raise his youngest son—with dignity—as he is a spitting image of his father.” Official reports list Oleh as missing, but his family knows the heartbreaking truth: he died in the line of duty.

Violetta, once an aspiring composer, had set aside her music as the war took hold. However, after losing Oleh, she felt compelled to write a song in his honor. The piece was completed for his birthday, but she dedicated it not only to him but to all women who have lost their heroes in the war.

For reference: The Children of Heroes charity foundation is currently supporting Violetta and her children. The organization helps children who have lost one or both parents to the war, offering financial assistance, psychological and legal support, and promoting their education and well-being until they come of age.

• children
• dead
• military
• women
• Vinnytsia

Kateryna and Artem Sobchenko were married in 2016, welcoming their son, also named Artem, a year later. Though the couple eventually divorced, they remained on good terms, maintaining a warm and supportive relationship.

When russia launched its full-scale invasion, Kateryna and her son were living in Mykolaiv, a city in southern Ukraine. On that fateful day, Kateryna was preparing for work when the sound of explosions shattered the morning calm.

Artem Sobchenko had dedicated his life to military service. He served as a Marine during the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) but was forced to retire due to health issues. However, when the invasion began, he immediately volunteered at the enlistment office. Despite being turned away, Artem was undeterred. He defended Mykolaiv as a volunteer, helped evacuate civilians from Mariupol, and eventually joined the 77th Airmobile Brigade as a medic and platoon sergeant.

Artem’s bravery earned him the title of Hero of Ukraine, the Golden Star badge, and the Order of Courage. During the battle for Soledar, he saved 15 comrades. Later, while defending Bakhmut, he saved another soldier’s life but tragically did not return from the battlefield himself.

Kateryna received the devastating news just as their son was preparing to start first grade. The loss plunged young Artem into a deep depression. He became withdrawn, crying constantly and stuttering when he tried to speak.

Seeking help, Kateryna turned to the Children of Heroes Foundation, which supports children who have lost parents in the war. With the help of a psychologist and art therapy, Artem began to heal. He now speaks more openly and has started to smile again.

For context: The Children of Heroes Foundation provides financial aid, psychological and legal support, and educational opportunities for children who have lost one or both parents due to the war, continuing its assistance until they reach adulthood.

• children
• dead
• military
• women
• Mykolaiv

Oksana Starodub, a mother of two from Chernihiv, faced unthinkable challenges after deciding to stay in her hometown when the war began. Her husband, Mykola, joined the territorial defense forces on the second day of the all-out invasion, determined to protect his family and city. On March 6, 2022, russian mortars struck Oksana’s home, leaving her severely injured and unable to move. Her teenage son bandaged her wounds as they awaited help, but continued shelling prevented an ambulance from reaching them. Eventually, Mykola and his unit managed to return home, where a military medic applied a tactical tourniquet to Oksana’s leg before she was taken to a hospital. The hospital, overwhelmed with wounded, was operating under dire conditions. Power was down due to nearby shelling, staff was stretched thin, and resources were scarce. Drinking water arrived only once daily, and food for both patients and doctors was cooked outdoors over an open flame. Oksana later traveled to Vinnytsia for multiple surgeries and, by September 2022, was able to walk on her own again. 

Meanwhile, Mykola continued defending the Chernihiv region until his battalion was deployed to Donetsk. On June 17, 2024, during a combat mission, Mykola sustained fatal wounds, leaving Oksana a widow.

The Children of Heroes charity foundation is currently supporting the family. Dedicated to aiding children who have lost one or both parents due to russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the foundation offers financial assistance, psychological counseling, legal aid, and educational support to help these children grow and thrive until adulthood.

• casualties
• dead
• military
• women
• Chernihiv

Olha Chernilevska is a philologist who worked as a dubbing director and project manager for the translation of foreign films. In the village of Busha, Vinnytsia region, she once bought two houses, renovated them and rented them to visitors looking for a retreat. In civilian life Olha’s son, Illia Chernilevskyi, worked as a screenwriter, he translated songs for TV shows, and wrote poetry and music. Illia enlisted immediately after the start of the full-scale invasion and was killed two months later.

Illia did not tell his family what he saw and experienced during the war, but Olha says his work spoke for him. Olha published her son’s first collection of poems as a gift for his 21st birthday. The second collection was published posthumously. She called it “I am a bird among nets,” taking a line from Illia’s poem. Olha’s son’s body is still in the enemy-occupied territory, and she hopes to bring it back after the village of Kamianka in the Donetsk oblast is liberated.

This summer, a woman who lost her husband in the war came to Busha. After talking with her, Olha decided to invite mothers and wives of fallen soldiers to her estate. The stay is free for them. The initiative was supported by the village community: locals volunteered to cook and the staff of the Historical and Cultural Reserve promised to give them tours. Olha is expecting 15 guests soon.

For reference: Olha Chernilevska will be abroad until November 12, 2024. After her return, she is ready to talk to journalists offline.

• dead
• military
• women
• Vinnytsia

Gala Kozyutynska, a filmmaker and artist from Kyiv, had long dreamed of creating an artistic residence in a rural setting. Though she split her time between Kyiv and Lviv, her heart was set on buying a house in the countryside. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Gala felt it was time to turn that dream into reality. Her partner, Viktor Petrov, wholeheartedly supported the idea, and together, they began searching for the perfect spot. They found it in the small village of Latirka in Zakarpattia.

After purchasing the house, they began restoring it and even named their future creative space “The Attic.” But their plans took a devastating turn when Viktor was called to serve in Ukraine’s Defense Forces. In May 2023, Viktor was killed in combat near Bakhmut, leaving Gala to carry on their dream alone. Despite the heartbreak, she pressed forward with their vision.

In the year since Viktor’s passing, Gala has hosted over 20 gatherings with young creatives at the residence. Together, they’ve learned traditional crafts like weaving, whitewashing clay brick warming stove, foraging for mushrooms, and gardening. Gala is also focused on finding ways to offer relaxation and rejuvenation for those visiting the artistic space.

Today, Gala divides her time between Zakarpattia and Lviv, and she remains open to sharing her story with journalists, both in person and virtually.

• culture
• dead
• military
• women
• Lviv
• Uzhhorod

At 8:45 a.m. on October 1, the National Police of Ukraine will stop traffic on Maidan Nezalezhnosti to observe a nationwide minute of silence. The charity initiative “Vshanui” calls for personalization of the event. To this end, participants are invited to bring to the Maidan a photo of a fallen hero who fought on the front lines for Ukraine’s independence.

• dead
• military
• Kyiv