Themes by tag: Kharkiv

The Lavka Deokupatsii (De-occupation Shop) is a volunteer initiative in Kharkiv that markets vegetables and other produce grown by residents of the recently de-occupied Kharkiv region. 

The project’s primary aim is to revitalize agriculture and foster economic independence for the residents of Studenok village in the Izium district. This village, situated on the border of Kharkiv and Donetsk regions, was under russian occupation for three months starting May 31, 2022. The initiative also assists locals with acquiring seeds, and greenhouses, and facilitating the sale of their produce in Kharkiv.

On its first day of operation, the De-occupation Shop offered cucumbers, green onions, young garlic, carrots, zucchini, new potatoes, and fresh honey from farmers in the reclaimed Kharkiv region. 

For reference: The De-occupation Shop is a project of the Volonterska Charitable Fund.

• casualties
• occupation
• volunteers
• Kharkiv

On May 23, 2024, a Russian missile attack struck the Factor-Druk printing house in Kharkiv. The assault resulted in the destruction of more than 50,000 books, including those published by Vivat Publishing House. Despite numerous offers to purchase the damaged books, Vivat’s CEO, Yulia Orlova, declined and decided to send the salvaged books for exhibition at the Library of Congress and various foreign museums.

The printing house is currently assessing the damage and planning its restoration. Orlova mentioned that the Howard G. Buffett Foundation has expressed willingness to fund the purchase of new equipment for the facility.

Yulia Orlova, who is currently abroad, is available for online interviews with journalists.

For reference: Factor-Druk is one of Europe’s largest printing houses, producing books for nearly all Ukrainian publishers. The missile strike resulted in the deaths of 7 people and injuries to 21 others.

• casualties
• dead
• russian crimes
• Kharkiv

Kharkiv-based cheerleading team Nice Ladies was created back in 2016. It is also referred to as the most mature cheerleading team, because all the participants are over 50 years old. Women were even listed in the National Register of Records of Ukraine. At the beginning of the full-scale war, the team suspended training, which resumed in September 2022 (5 participants remain abroad).

Currently, there are 8 women in the team. The youngest is 53 years old, and the oldest is 77. The women train despite the shelling of their hometown and despite the power cuts. They also had to change their practice space to a safer one.

Nice Ladies became the champions of Kharkiv, Ukraine, and now they would like to prepare for the European Championship, however, the team, which consists mostly of the retired citizens, lacks funding for this.

Journalists have the opportunity to communicate with the Kharkiv team in person.

• culture
• women
• Kharkiv

The emergency response team from the international non-profit organization World Central Kitchen (WCK) is actively aiding large-scale evacuations in the Vovchansk and Lipetsk communities of Kharkiv Oblast. From the outset, WCK has been on the ground providing hot meals, beverages, and emotional support to those impacted by the war.

Since May 10, WCK has distributed thousands of hot meals and sandwiches to approximately 10,000 evacuees. The team has also recently extended their assistance to evacuees from the Sumy region, aiding their relocation to the city of Sumy.

WCK welcomes all media inquiries and encourages coverage of their ongoing efforts.

For context, in Ukraine, WCK delivers hot meals, vegetable kits, grocery kits, and seeds to frontline areas. They also provide hot drinks and food in large cities affected by missile strikes, supporting both victims and rescue workers. Since initiating operations in February 2022, WCK has prepared more than 260 million meals for Ukrainians.

• casualties
• food
• Kharkiv
• Sumy

The Rehabilitation Department in the Lozova community has 20 beds. The uninterrupted work of the institution is ensured by a multidisciplinary team of 20 specialists. The facility operates in the premises of the Lozova Territorial Medical Association and provides assistance to residents of the local community, nearby settlements and IDPs.

UAH 7 million from the budget of the Territorial Medical Association was spent to repair and purchase medical equipment and furniture. And thanks to cooperation with the Patients of Ukraine charitable foundation, the center also received modern equipment worth UAH 2.2 million. In addition, the “Early rehabilitation Leads to a Full Life” project for the needs of the department helped to purchase a lot of specialized equipment worth almost UAH 1 million, which came from the regional budget.

• casualties
• Kharkiv

From now on, employees of the kitchen train are making food for the Kharkiv Psychiatric Hospital. The facility was damaged by russian missiles on the night of April 27 this year. At the time of the attack, there were 60 patients and 5 doctors in it. While the hospital’s canteen and other utility premises are under restoration, the kitchen train of Ukrzaliznytsia will take care of food for the patients.

For reference: In September 2023, Ukrzaliznytsia created the world’s first autonomous kitchen train called Food Train. Such a train is capable of providing more than 10,000 meals per day anywhere and anytime. Food Train can work autonomously for 5-7 days, and the equipment allows cooking such meals as soups, porridges, salads and meat.

Since its launch, the kitchen train team has already made 350,000 meals, of which 265,000 were made for the residents of Kharkiv oblast affected over the past month. Food purchases and the operation of the train are funded by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.

• casualties
• food
• russian crimes
• Kharkiv

In the face of relentless Russian shelling that plunged Kharkiv into darkness, the Korniienko family’s bakery just months after launching their venture in January. Forced to flee to Valky in Kharkiv region, a town 50 kilometers away, now, every day, they make the arduous commute back to Kharkiv, braving the risks of war either by bus or hitchhiking.

Initially specializing in sourdough bread, baguettes, and kid-friendly marshmallows, the Korniienkos quickly adapted to meet surging demand amid the chaos of war. Within three months, their customer base doubled, prompting them to expand their menu with over 10 new bread varieties, constantly innovating to keep up with demand.

Yet, operating in a city under siege comes with its challenges. With power outages a daily occurrence, the family relies on an electric generator to keep their ovens running. Initially funded by grants, they now seek additional support to purchase a smaller oven that can run off the generator.

• blackout
• Kharkiv

This top-tier protection level 4 bomb shelter will provide refuge for up to 400 people in the event of a missile threat. Equipped with a generator to ensure power continuity, the shelter boasts a main room along with 10 additional rooms. Notably, it features a lift for individuals with restricted mobility. Furthermore, provisions including water, food, and fuel are stocked to sustain occupants for a month of continuous habitation.

Construction progress stands at an impressive 90%, signaling the imminent readiness of this crucial facility.

• Kharkiv

In 2022, the Koval family’s farm, Pani Jupiter, boasted over three hundred cows and a staff of twelve. However, when the full-scale invasion struck, their farm in the village of Khotimlia, Kharkiv region, fell under occupation.

Andrii Koval swiftly organized a refuge in the farm’s basement to shield fellow villagers from rocket assaults. Even now, families with children in Khotimlia owe their survival to the farm’s generosity, offering free milk and freshly baked bread from its staff. The farm, powered by a separate family-owned generator, maintained electricity, and occasionally, even cell phone reception was possible.

Andrii was seized by the occupiers, who were going to take him to a torture basement. The man narrowly evaded capture by running for his life. The Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated Khotimlia in September 2022. Presently, the farm is grappling with the aftermath of its harrowing ordeal, yet it remains distant from its pre-war production capacity. Pani Jupiter’s priorities entail reviving the confectionery and cheese-making school, alongside forging partnerships with local villagers, whom the Koval family intends to procure fruits and berries from.

• casualties
• occupation
• reconstruction
• Kharkiv

The initiative, spearheaded by the philanthropic organization Cultural Forces of Ukraine, serves as a nexus for cultural and educational endeavors, catering to residents who endured the tumultuous Russian occupation. Within the House of Imagination, patrons can engage in a spectrum of activities fostering creativity and focus, including workshops and meditation sessions, with a primary focus on enriching the youth. “Our mission is twofold: to provide psychological support to those affected by the occupation and to promote Ukrainian culture. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to revitalizing Ukrainian arts, music, and culture,” stated Serhii Martyniuk, co-coordinator of the Cultural Forces of Ukraine Charity Foundation.

• casualties
• culture
• occupation
• psychological support
• Kharkiv