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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.
Serhii Pryschepa considers March 14, 2022, his second birthday. That day, he and his family attempted to escape from russian-occupied territory in Chernihiv Oblast but were caught in an attack. Their car was engulfed in flames, burning to the ground. Miraculously, he survived.
Serhii has been undergoing rehabilitation for over a year. The recovery process has been grueling and slow, yet he remains resolute. Not only has he regained his strength, but he has also grown even stronger—thanks to relentless training, he can now lift more weight than he could before his injury.
Background: Serhii Pryschepa is a participant in the Neopalymi (Unburnt) program, a national initiative providing free external rehabilitation and treatment for war-related injuries, burns, and scars. By April 6, 2022, Ukrainian defense forces had fully liberated Chernihiv Oblast from russian occupation.
On March 1, the Stations of the Cross, a religious processional will take place in Bucha, Kyiv Oblast, along Yablunska Street, to honor the memory of the victims tortured during the russian occupation. The procession will feature 14 stations, each marking a site where civilians were tragically killed. Among the stops, participants will pause to pray for and remember those who suffered at 144 Yablunska St., including the first boys to fall victim to the russians: Andrii Verbovyi, Andrii Matviichuk, Andrii Dvornikov, Vitalii Karpenko, Sviatoslav Turovskyi, Anatolii Prykhidko, Valerii Kotenko, and Denys Rudenko.
The procession will conclude at the chapel of St. Luke Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
For context: The Stations of the Cross is a prayer tradition centered on meditations about the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for humanity’s salvation. Originating in Jerusalem, it is observed within the liturgical practices of both the Catholic and Greek Catholic Churches.
On February 24, the town of Bucha in Kyiv oblast will hold commemorative events to honor the memory of Ukraine’s fallen civilians and defenders.
Bucha, which has become a symbol of Ukrainian resilience and a witness to the horrific war crimes of the russian army, will bring together families of the fallen, local residents, government officials, and the international community to pay tribute to all those who gave their lives for Ukraine’s freedom.
Program of events:
- Memorial Rally, a requiem service and tribute to the fallen heroes
- Memorial Rally, a requiem service and tribute to the innocent victims of russian aggression at the Wall of Remembrance
- Unveiling of a Fallen Defender memorial plaque
- Memorial event “Bells of Remembrance”
The Maidan Museum together with its partners has prepared a program dedicated to the Day of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.
On February 20, a commemoration ceremony will take place to honor the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred and the participants of the Revolution of Dignity.
On the same day, the annual “Angels of Remembrance” event will take place. This global moment of silence is dedicated to those who died during the Revolution of Dignity. In Kyiv, it is traditionally held on the Alley of Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred, where dozens of paper angels are hung on the branches of trees that once witnessed the killings of unarmed protesters.
Additionally, Kyiv will host the exhibition “Heroes: Maidan, War, Memory…”. It is dedicated to the participants of the Revolution of Dignity who later died in the russian-Ukrainian war. The exhibition tells the stories of Maidan activists who changed Ukraine and the world and later became the first defenders of our country, sacrificing their lives for its freedom.
The program also includes a screening of the documentary-musical film “Ukraine. Maidan. Reloading”, dedicated to the memory of Ruslan Hanushchak. The film is based on the video archive of military reporter Ruslan Hanushchak, a Maidan participant who later became a military reporter and soldier with the call signs “Ostap” and “Photographer”. He was killed in action on January 11, 2025.
Journalists are invited to familiarize themselves with the full schedule of events dedicated to the Day of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.
Background: On February 20, 2014, the highest number of casualties occurred in the center of the Ukrainian capital, with 48 people killed. Along with 54 other protesters who were fatally wounded in the winter of 2013-2014 and five Maidan activists who died in the spring of 2014 defending Ukraine’s democratic values and territorial integrity, they are honored as Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.
The Maidan Museum together with its partners has prepared a program for the Day of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.
On February 18, a memorial event in honor of those who died on February 18, 2014 will be held in Mariinsky Park. The event will include a memorial service for the Heavenly Hundred and a Memorial March to pay tribute to the fallen heroes.
On February 20, a ceremony will be held to honor the memory of the heroes of the Heavenly Hundred and the participants of the Revolution of Dignity. The annual Angels of Memory event will also take place, a global moment of silence in memory of those who died during the Revolution of Dignity. In Kyiv, it takes place annually on the Alley of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes, where dozens of paper angels are placed on the branches of trees — silent witnesses to the shooting of unarmed protesters.
Opening of the exhibition “Heroes: Maidan, War, Memory…”. The exhibition is dedicated to the Maidan activists who later died in the russian-Ukrainian war. It tells the stories of those who changed Ukraine and the world and later became the first defenders of Ukraine’s freedom, sacrificing their lives.
Journalists can access the full program of events for the Day of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.
Background: On February 20, 2014, 48 people lost their lives in the center of Kyiv, the highest number of casualties in a single day during the Revolution of Dignity. Together with 54 other participants of peaceful protests who were killed or fatally wounded in the winter of 2013-2014, and five Maidan activists who died in the spring of 2014 while defending democratic values and territorial integrity of Ukraine, they are called the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.
On February 6, Kyiv will host a training session on the use of the advanced ANDE rapid DNA technology mobile laboratory. These laboratories were first introduced in Ukraine following the de-occupation of the Kyiv oblast, when mass graves of civilians killed by russian occupiers were discovered. ANDE allowed authorities to quickly identify victims of war crimes and ensure justice and accountability.
The key advantage of the ANDE system is its exceptionally fast DNA profiling process. While traditional laboratory methods take several months, ANDE can provide results in as little as 90 minutes. This dramatically accelerates human identification, a critical factor in war crimes investigations. Originally developed for U.S. intelligence agencies, this mobile DNA laboratory was first used to identify the DNA of Osama bin Laden.
Media representatives are invited to attend the training, learn about the functionality of the ANDE rapid DNA technology mobile laboratory and speak with specialists who worked in the Kyiv oblast after its liberation.
Accreditation is required to attend the event.
Liudmyla and Ihor lived in the Lviv oblast and raised two sons. When the full-scale invasion began, Ihor did not hesitate to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces, even though he had no previous military experience.
A month after Ihor went to war, his father died. A few months later, Liudmyla’s uncle also died, and just three weeks after that, she suffered another devastating loss — her mother died of cancer.
Ihor served in the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade of Galicia, where he carried out duties as both a soldier and a medic. His unit participated in the liberation of Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts, as well as in intense battles near Kreminna and Bakhmut. In one of these battles Ihor was killed.
The loss of their father was very hard for the children. Their eldest son, who was six at the time, became withdrawn, he often cried remembering his father, grandmother and grandfather. There were moments when he lost interest in life altogether, answering every question with “I don’t care” or “I want to go to daddy in heaven”.
For Liudmyla, this was the time of her greatest trial. In March 2024, the family suffered another loss: her stepfather, who had been a wonderful grandfather to the children, died. It felt as if she had no strength left. But eventually Liudmyla realized an essential truth: in order to give to others, you must first restore yourself.
She turned to psychologists, doctors, and to God. Thanks to various charitable foundations and NGOs, the family attended psychological and spiritual camps and retreats. This helped Liudmyla and her children to return to life.
Background: The charitable foundation Children of Heroes is currently assisting Liudmyla’s family. The foundation assists children who have lost one or both parents to the full-scale russian invasion. It provides financial assistance, psychological and legal support, and helps with education and personal development until the children reach adulthood.
For 16 years, Nataliia and Maksym Shyshkin built their life together. Maksym worked in transportation across Ukraine, and when the full-scale invasion began, it found him on the road. In the early hours of February 24, 2022, he was driving home from Odesa. By the next day, he had already reported to the military registration office. His words to Nataliia were resolute: “I have two sons growing up. I have to defend our land so the occupiers don’t come here.”
Maksym served as a combat medic. Initially, he joined the Border Guard Service of Ukraine before being assigned to the 15th Mobile Border Guard Detachment. He defended the Chernihiv region, later Donetsk, and braved numerous conflict zones.
During one of his missions, Maksym came under heavy artillery fire and suffered a critical injury to his temple. His comrades, risking their own lives, evacuated him and transported him to a hospital in Dnipro. Maksym slipped into a coma, and Nataliia stayed by his side for days. In a moment filled with both hope and heartbreak, Nataliia’s father-in-law brought their eldest son, Tymofii, to the hospital. The boy walked into the ward, took his father’s hand, and softly said, “Hi, Dad, I’m next to you.” The machines monitoring Maksym’s vitals suddenly sounded alarms as his heart gave out. That was his final moment.
The loss of her husband plunged Nataliia into deep grief. But one day, Tymofii approached her, wrapped his arms around her, and said something that changed everything: “Mom, you should dress nicely, put on some makeup, do your hair, and take a walk with me. You are the best one here. Dad is proud of you. He chose a great mom for us.” The unwavering love of her sons, coupled with her dedication to her work, helped her reclaim her life. Nataliia, a passionate cosmetologist, found solace in her profession, which became a source of strength during the darkest days.
Nataliia and her sons are now supported by the Children of Heroes charity foundation. This organization aids children who have lost one or both parents due to Russia’s full-scale invasion. It provides financial assistance, psychological and legal support, and ensures the children’s education and development until they reach adulthood.
On January 22, Kyiv will host a Walk of Remembrance to pay tribute to the first Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred who lost their lives during the Revolution of Dignity. Participants will light candles and lay flowers at memorial plaques along the route, reflecting on the sacrifices made for Ukraine’s freedom.
The annual procession brings together families of the fallen, Maidan activists, and others who wish to honor their memory. The walk follows a solemn path from the Lach Gates to Mykhaila Hrushevskoho Street, retracing the steps of those who stood on the frontlines of the 2014 protests.
On this day in 2014, 20-year-old Serhiy Nigoyan from the Dnipropetrovsk region and 25-year-old Belarusian Mikhail Zhiznevsky were fatally shot. Nearby, the tortured body of Yurii Verbytskyi, a Lviv resident kidnapped a day earlier, was discovered outside Kyiv. Roman Senyk, a 45-year-old from Lviv, succumbed to his injuries days later, while activists Oleksandr Badera and Bohdan Kalyniak also lost their lives during the protests.
3 Sotnia Samooborony Maidanu (Third Hundred of Maidan Self-Defense), which Serhiy Nigoyan belonged to, initiated the event. Nigoyan, the first victim of the Maidan uprising, was stationed at the 3rd barricade checkpoint near the Lach Gates, a poignant location for the gathering.
Accreditation is required to attend.
For reference: The remembrance walk is organized by the NGO “3 Sotnia Samooborony Maidanu” (Third Hundred of Maidan Self-Defense), NGO “Families of the Heavenly Hundred,” the Kyiv Three Saints Theological Seminary of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), and the National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity.
