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Memorial services for fallen Ukrainian healthcare workers will be held simultaneously in 20 countries around the world on July 10, 2026.
The organizers are calling on hospitals, healthcare institutions, military medical units, clergy, and media organizations to join the commemorative initiative through the following acts of remembrance:
Joint memorial service in Kyiv. A memorial service for fallen healthcare workers will be held at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery with the participation of members of the Honorary Council of the Order, government officials, the medical community, and the families of the fallen heroes. A flower-laying ceremony at the memorial alley near the monastery will follow.
Minute of silence and nationwide bell ringing. With the support of the clergy, churches across Ukraine participating in the initiative will ring memorial bells. At the same time, a nationwide minute of silence will be observed, accompanied by a special audio recording of a heartbeat fading into silence.
Flashing lights of honor. Healthcare institutions and ambulance services are invited to briefly switch on the emergency lights of ambulances as a tribute to their fallen colleagues.
“White Coat” installation. Hospitals and healthcare institutions will continue the tradition of placing an empty chair draped with a white medical coat or military camouflage uniform, accompanied by photographs of healthcare workers from the institution who lost their lives.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, it has become clear that not only soldiers defending Ukraine on the front line are being killed in the war. russian forces have deliberately targeted Ukrainian healthcare workers.
The Order of Saint Panteleimon has joined efforts with its Regional Councils and the National Scientific Medical Library of Ukraine to collect, verify, and document information about healthcare professionals who have given their lives for Ukraine’s freedom since 2014.
Together with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, July 10 has been designated as the All-Ukrainian Day of Remembrance for Fallen Healthcare Workers. The date was chosen symbolically, two weeks before Ukraine’s Medical Workers’ Day, observed on July 27.
Journalists can request additional information and media materials about the event.
Background: The Order of Saint Panteleimon, awarded for professionalism and compassion, is Ukraine’s highest and most prestigious public award in healthcare, often referred to as the country’s “Medical Oscar.” Established in 2009, it has operated as a large-scale civic initiative since 2017. The Order has a unique structure that includes an Honorary Council composed of senior state officials, church leaders, prominent scientists, and leading medical professors, as well as regional branches throughout Ukraine and 20 international councils. Today, the Order brings together the country’s leading healthcare professionals and includes around 270 recipients whose dedication has embodied the principles of compassion. As the coordinator of the Memory Light initiative, the Order fulfills its highest moral mission by preserving the memory of those who protected the lives of others until their last breath.
Today, the Memory Light initiative is much more than a commemorative date. It is a large-scale project dedicated to supporting the families of fallen healthcare workers and preserving the memory of their lives and service.
Irpin is launching Irpin: Architectures of Memory, an interdisciplinary laboratory that will work with sites of remembrance connected to the experiences of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
The open call for participants closed on July 5, 2026. The next public stage of the project will be the first community meeting, scheduled for August 1, 2026.
The laboratory will focus on four sites in Irpin:
- The Car Graveyard — civilian vehicles abandoned by residents during the evacuation from Irpin. Curator: Ksenia Malykh.
- Heroes’ Alley — banners with portraits of fallen defenders displayed in the city’s central square. Curator: Kateryna Semeniuk.
- Checkpoints — a network of six positions that formed Irpin’s defensive line in spring 2022. Curator: Anastasiia Pasieka.
- Remembering Civilian Victims — a memorial space dedicated to residents killed during the war, located on the Irpin River embankment. Curator: Lizaveta Herman.
In July, the organisers will select participants and form working groups. In August, the laboratory will begin with a research visit to Irpin. During September and October, the teams will develop concepts for the four sites of remembrance. The results will be presented to the community and the city in December.
The laboratory will bring together specialists from architecture, art, urbanism, research, history, philosophy, design and other disciplines. Participants will work in interdisciplinary teams alongside the curators, the Irpin community and the project’s partners.
Background: Irpin: Architectures of Memory was initiated by the Sigma Irpin Charitable Foundation and the Irpin City Council with the support of the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine.
The project’s special partner is the memory culture platform Past / Future / Art.
The project is implemented in partnership with the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine, the Kyiv Regional State Administration and the Kyiv School of Economics.
On July 9, the protective structures surrounding the Lesia Ukrainka monument in Kyiv’s Lesia Ukrainka Square will be removed as part of the final stage of its preservation, followed by professional, delicate cleaning of the monument.
The monument will be unveiled for the first time since it was enclosed in protective structures in 2022. For many Kyiv residents, this will symbolize the return of one of the capital’s key cultural landmarks to the city’s public space.
The work will include:
- removal of the protective structures;
- professional cleaning of the monument to remove dust and atmospheric pollutants;
- improvement of the surrounding area;
- use of specialized equipment and machinery;
- cleaning carried out under the supervision of technical specialists in accordance with heritage preservation standards.
All work is being carried out on a pro bono basis, without the use of municipal budget funds. For INWHITE, the project is a charitable contribution to improving Kyiv’s public space as the company marks its 20th anniversary and a continuation of its Clean Day social initiative.
Journalists are required to register in advance.
Background: The initiative is being implemented by the Department of Culture of the Kyiv City State Administration and the Pechersk District State Administration in Kyiv, with the support of the service company INWHITE (LLC INWHITE).
On July 7, Media Center Ukraine will host the presentation of the analytical report “Loyalty Under Coercion.” Over the past year, lawyers from the Regional Center for Human Rights have examined one of the key instruments used to suppress dissent and maintain control in the occupied territories — the prosecution of people under articles on the “discrediting” of the russian army in Crimea and Sevastopol. Violations of these provisions are punishable by fines or prison sentences of up to 15 years. In practice, russia has created legal mechanisms that allow it to punish anyone deemed “disloyal” to the occupation authorities or opposed to their policies.
After analyzing more than 1,500 decisions issued by occupation authorities, the team concluded that russia has established a system in the occupied territories that suppresses freedom of expression and violates the right to a fair trial. On the one hand, these measures are intended to “legitimize” russian rule; on the other, they are designed to create a climate of constant fear and silence.
Speakers:
- Alina Hrihoras, Head of the Occupied Territories Unit at the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine;
- Olha Skrypnyk, Chair of the Board of the Crimean Human Rights Group;
- Kseniia Korniienko, Senior Lawyer at the Regional Center for Human Rights and co-author of the report;
- Volodymyr Viazovtsev, Lawyer at the Regional Center for Human Rights and co-author of the report.
Background: The project was implemented by the Regional Center for Human Rights with financial support from the National Endowment for Democracy. The content of the report does not necessarily reflect the views of the donor.
While traveling to one of the communities where they were providing medical care in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, the FRIDA Ukraine medical team witnessed yet another russian attack on civilians. The doctors saw an enemy drone strike a combine harvester working in a field.
A 30-year-old man was injured in the attack. The combine caught fire, and the surrounding wheat field also ignited. FRIDA Ukraine doctors provided the victim with first aid before emergency responders arrived.
“We picked him up, moved to a safer location, and provided first aid. He had a blast injury, and his face and legs had been hit by shrapnel. We then waited for the emergency medical team to arrive and handed him over to the paramedics,” said Nataliia Domochkina, a pediatric dentist with FRIDA Ukraine.
By prior arrangement, journalists can interview the doctors in Kyiv and receive photos and video materials.
Background: FRIDA Ukraine’s medical volunteer missions are regular deployments of multidisciplinary medical teams to frontline and remote communities across Ukraine. Each mission brings together more than 20 specialists, including neurologists, surgeons, gynecologists, internists, dermatologists, and other healthcare professionals. During these visits, local residents receive free medical examinations, consultations, and laboratory tests. More recently, the team has also introduced cancer screening services.
NGO “Zemliachky” together with the Easy Drive driving school have launched a free training program for female service members and veterans. The initiative was created to help defenders gain new knowledge, master a profession, and expand opportunities for further employment. Within the framework of the program, participants can choose one of three directions:
- free training in traffic laws (5 spots for an offline course in Kyiv and 5 spots for an online course monthly). After successfully passing the theoretical exam, participants also receive a 2,000 UAH discount on practical training;
- free training as a traffic law instructor with subsequent internship and employment opportunities;
- free training as a driving instructor with the possibility of acquiring a new profession.
Reference: The program is part of the systematic work of NGO Zemliachky, aimed at supporting defenders not only during their service, but also in matters of professional development, adaptation, and creating new career opportunities.
Daria Chorna is a co-founder of the “Kyiv Bats” volunteer community. In early 2024, as a volunteer, she joined the debris clearance efforts following another russian missile strike. On February 7 of the same year, Daria returned to clear debris with friends, and within a few days, formed a small team, which gave start to the “Kyiv Bats.” The community also began helping victims with processing documents and receiving assistance. Young people mostly join the “Bats.” Their main goal is to show by their own example how one can help and support those in need.
Daria Chorna is available for interviews, either online or in person in Kyiv, by prior arrangement.
As a result of russian shelling of Kyiv, the capital’s zoo was damaged. Turtles and crocodiles sustained injuries. Zoo staff, who provide round-the-clock care for the animals, immediately provided them with the necessary assistance. Fortunately, no animals died. Buildings of the primate and bird departments, the winter garden dome, the aquaterrarium, the hay storage facility, and the northern entrance group were also damaged on the premises.
The zoo is open to media requests to document its current operations.
The program of this year’s festival includes discussions and public conversations, excursions and musical performances, theatrical and music-poetic performances. The festival participants and speakers are Oksana Zabuzhko, Serhiy Zhadan, Yuliia “Taira” Paievska, Pavlo Kazarin, Vakhtang Kipiani, Kateryna Kalytko, Mariana Sadovska, Svitlana Povaliayeva, Sasha Koltsova, Valeriy Puzik, Anton Slepakov, The Harmyder Theater, and the band Zhadan i Sobaky.
On the opening day of the festival, July 3, a press briefing for the media will take place on the lawn of Protasiv Yar with the participation of organizers and guests. Immediately after the briefing, the official opening will take place with an introductory speech by Oksana Zabuzhko.
Media accreditation is required.
Reference: The Protasiv Yar festival was founded in memory of public activist and scout of the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Brigade, Roman Ratushnyi (call sign Seneka).
As part of sports-rehabilitation activities, the Kyiv Military Hub invites you to a sailing masterclass at the Kyiv City Cruising Yacht Club. It will be a full-fledged two-hour training session on a crewed boat under the guidance of an experienced trainer. Participants will learn to work in a team and master the basics of yachting.
The masterclass will take place on July 3.
