Themes by tag: Kyiv

Prolonged power outages in the Ukrainian capital are putting the delicate collection of tropical and subtropical plants at the Hryshko National Botanical Garden under serious strain.

Winter marks the peak flowering season for many of these species, which require a steady minimum temperature of 20°C (68°F) to survive. With electricity unreliable, staff are turning to diesel generators to keep the greenhouses warm and the valuable plants alive.

The garden – home to roughly 4,000 tropical and subtropical specimens – is also supported by philanthropists through the longstanding “Heat for Greenhouses” initiative, which helps cover fuel and other emergency costs.

Journalists may visit and document the garden’s operations by prior arrangement.

• blackout
• Kyiv

The documentary “CAPTAIN. STORIES OF THE ‘AZOV’ TANK CREWS” will premiere in the capital on January 21. The event will include appearances by the creative team and the heroes featured in the film.

The film aims to showcase the characters and humanity of the men who honorably defended their country. It chronicles pivotal moments in the brigade’s history, including the Pavlopil-Shyrokyne operation, the defense of Mariupol and Azovstal, captivity, the return to service, and battles on the war’s most critical fronts. The story is told from the perspective of the tank crews who experienced it firsthand.

Directed and written by Kostiantyn Konovalov, director of the films Dovzhenko, The Story of Two Photographs, The Last Fortress: Hacibey, and screenwriter of Kruty 1918, and Firecrosser.

Produced by Maksym Movchan, producer of Blood Brothers and Operative on Call.

Background: The film was created with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine.

• culture
• Kyiv

Amidst the energy state of emergency declared by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and persistent blackouts that have left thousands of Kyiv residents without heating in freezing weather, World Central Kitchen is deploying urgent support for the capital’s inhabitants.

WCK is opening Bograch stations in Kyiv — locations where people can receive a warm bowl of bograch, a hearty traditional dish especially important on cold days. These stations will operate in various city districts to ensure maximum accessibility.

Daily, WCK plans to provide thousands of hot meals and is ready to expand the program if the power supply situation does not improve. Meals are also being served in the Invincibility Carriages, which are currently operating in Fastiv, Brovary, Boryspil, and Vasylkiv.

Journalists are invited to cover this initiative and observe the Bograch stations in operation. The WCK team is available to answer questions and can help organize filming on location.

• blackout
• food
• Kyiv

Before the full-scale invasion, Ruslan Ivanov worked as a production designer in the film industry. On the first day of the full-scale war, he joined the Ukrainian military. Initially, he fought near Kyiv, later defending eastern Ukraine alongside his brothers-in-arms. In the fall of 2023, Ruslan was severely injured and lost his arm.

During evacuation, Ruslan lost a critical amount of blood. Medics could not find a pulse and presumed he had died. Ruslan was about to be taken to the morgue when he groaned. This is what saved him.

After receiving treatment and undergoing rehabilitation, the veteran was fitted with a prosthesis and adaptive training straps. He later returned to his work in film. Ruslan is currently employed and training for a new record: performing a one-armed push-up with 100 kilograms. He has already set another record: he and seven other amputees pulled two buses full of passengers.

You can contact Ruslan Ivanov online or in person in Kyiv by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

The session, titled “Guidelines for the General Public on Staying Safe in Record Low Temperatures from the State Emergency Service,” is scheduled for January 13 at the Media Center Ukraine in Kyiv.

Participants:

–  Viktor Vitovetskyi, Director of the Department for Organization of Civil Protection Measures at the State Emergency Service of Ukraine;

–  Nataliia Yashan, Head of the Medical Support Department at the State Emergency Service. 

Key topics:

–  Recommended behavior and precautions during dangerously low sub-zero temperatures;

–  Recognizing the signs of hypothermia and providing immediate first aid;

–  Safe operation of heaters, generators, electric heating devices, and other power equipment;

–  Proper use of ‘points of invincibility’ established to help residents cope with the cold.

• Kyiv

On January 14, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, working closely with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine and the national mine action platform Demine Ukraine, will launch a countrywide public information campaign to highlight humanitarian demining as a key national priority.

The campaign opens with the debut of an interactive installation titled “The Earth – a Carrier of Memory,” featuring audiovisual narratives that symbolize the safe return of cleared lands to communities. The installation will be unveiled at the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater, renowned for its production of “The Land,” adapted from Olha Kobylianska’s novel and directed by David Petrosyan.

Invited speakers at the launch event include:

– Auke Lootsma, UNDP Resident Representative to Ukraine. 

– Ihor Bezkaravainyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine;

– Yevhen Nyshchuk, General Director and Artistic Director of the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater. 

Journalists wishing to attend must complete accreditation by 4 p.m. on January 13, and should bring a passport or national ID along with an editorial certificate from their outlet.

For reference: The initiative is carried out by the United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, with financial backing from the Ukraine Community Recovery Fund. More details on the effort are available on the UNDP website.

• culture
• Kyiv
• demining

The first seven ‘invincibility train cars’ have begun operating in the Kyiv region, where rolling blackouts continue to disrupt daily life. Three are stationed in Brovary, two in Boryspil, and two in Vasylkiv. Each car can comfortably accommodate up to about 40 people at a time.

Inside these ‘invincibility’ carriages, residents can warm up, charge their devices, connect to the internet via Starlink, and enjoy a cup of tea.

The cars are also equipped with child-friendly amenities, including cartoons, games, coloring books, reading materials, and board games. A separate pet-friendly area offers treats for animals accompanying their owners.

For referenceThe initiative is a joint effort between Ukrzaliznytsia and Ukraine’s Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, with support from the Kyiv Regional State Administration to expand these mobile heating and charging hubs across the region.

• blackout
• Kyiv

Peaceful events are planned in 28 cities across Ukraine to raise awareness of the defenders of Azovstal and other soldiers still in enemy captivity.

On January 10, events will be held in Okhtyrka, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Shpola, Volochysk, Pavlohrad, and Lviv.

On January 11, events are planned in Kyiv, Krolevets, Pivdennoukrainsk, Kremenchuk, Mykolaiv, Korop, Korosten, Obukhiv, Ovruch, Dolynska, Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Lozova, Uzhhorod, Berdychiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Rivne, Chernivtsi, and Odesa.

The events are organized by families of prisoners of war from the Mariupol garrison. Recently released Ukrainian captives also often join these actions.

• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

The art installation “Window of Memory” will be presented in Kyiv from January 11 to 13. The project is being carried out by the Vshanui NGO in collaboration with the artist Veronika Mol. The installation is dedicated to the Minute of Silence and the memory of fallen soldiers. It also explores how Ukrainians live with this memory during the war.

The two-part installation (visual and audio) will occupy open public spaces, inviting contemplation. Its visual form evokes windows, framing views of the sky above soldiers’ graves, with names inscribed on the back of each frame. The audio component is a composition created from real people’s responses reflecting on the Minute of Silence, memory, exhaustion, and the tension between honest and hollow public tributes to the fallen.

Media accreditation is required.

• dead
• Kyiv

On January 12, the Media Center Ukraine will host a briefing titled “History, Honor, People” marking the third anniversary of Ukraine’s 37th Marine Brigade

Participants:

– Serhii Shatalov, Colonel, Commander of the 37th Separate Marine Brigade; 

– Vitalii Izhovskyi, Major, Deputy Brigade Commander for Mental Health Support of Personnel;

– Viacheslav Vorovchenko, Brigade Chaplain;

– Denys Bobkov, Senior Lieutenant, Head of the Brigade Communications Department;

– Anatolii Malemien, Major, Commander of the 2nd Marine Battalion. 

Key topics:

– The priority placed on the sergeant corps, the professionalism of young soldiers, and the experience of veterans;

– Pivotal stages in the brigade’s development and the adaptation of NATO standards under real combat conditions, including the use of unique weapons on the battlefield;

– The role of public support, volunteers, and military families in maintaining the unit’s combat readiness;

– Why the slogan “Always Faithful” serves as the cornerstone for every Marine.

Registration is required for media representatives.

Background: The event marks the third anniversary of the unit’s formation, which has emerged as a key symbol of Ukraine’s modern Marine Corps. Brigade leaders and troops will share insights into their path from initial setup to tackling the toughest missions on the front lines, highlighting marine values and the impact of advanced weaponry wielded by skilled professionals.

• Kyiv