Themes by tag: Kyiv
A memorial event dedicated to the anniversary of the deaths of State Emergency Service of Ukraine personnel Pavlo Yezhor, Andrii Remennyi and Danylo Skadin will take place at the War Museum on June 7.
On June 6, 2025, russia launched another large-scale attack against Ukraine. At the time, it was one of the most extensive assaults of the full-scale war: the enemy deployed 407 drones of various types and 44 ballistic and cruise missiles. Kyiv and the Kyiv region, as well as the Kharkiv, Poltava, Chernihiv, Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, Volyn, Lviv and Ternopil regions, came under attack.
In the capital, up to 30 people were injured, including nine State Emergency Service employees. Three firefighters from Kyiv’s 18th State Fire and Rescue Unit, who were responding to the aftermath of the strikes, were killed when a russian drone carried out a secondary strike at 4:35 a.m.
Family members, friends and colleagues will remember Pavlo, Andrii and Danylo, who, despite the danger, were always among the first to come to the aid of others.
The discussion will be moderated by Hanna Lehkokonets, head of a museum sector department.
The Museum of the History of Kyiv will host the opening of the exhibition “Your Favorite Dish,” created by the Memorial Memory Platform. The exhibition features mothers of fallen Ukrainian servicemen and servicewomen preparing their children’s favorite meals and sharing memories of them. The opening will take place on June 6.
“Your Favorite Dish” is a quiet exhibition about memory, which often begins not with grand words but with simple things: the smell of pancakes, salad, fried potatoes, pies and other dishes once prepared at home by the mothers of Ukrainian defenders.
The exhibition will present the stories behind the favorite dishes of Andrii “Juice” Pilshchykov, Oleksandr “Hrian” Hrianyk, Ruslan “Varyah” Piskovyi, Valentyna “Romashka” Pushych, Leonid “Lys” Dolhov, Vitalii “Okhotnik” Chernukha, Ihor “Slon” Utiuzh, Yehor “Izzi” Lubashev, Vitalii “Khirurh” Kharchuk and Stepan Chubenko.
Mothers of the fallen heroes will take part in the opening event.
In the exhibition space, curated by Anastasiia Haidukevych-Kachuro, visitors will be able to view photographs, video stories and recipes connected to the featured heroes, as well as leave their own memories of a loved one and that person’s favorite dish.
Admission is free with prior registration.
Background: The exhibition was created by the Memorial Memory Platform in partnership with the Museum of the History of Kyiv and with the support of the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine programme, funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, Estonia, Canada, Norway, Finland, Switzerland and Sweden.
The project “OMEGA: IN THE SKY, ON THE GROUND, IN(ON) THE WATER” will open in Kyiv on June 5. The exhibition was created by the team of the War Museum in cooperation with the Omega Special Purpose Center.
Omega is an elite special unit of the National Guard of Ukraine whose servicemembers carry out missions in the field of national security and defense. The unit was established in 2003 as a separate special-purpose brigade within the Interior Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to address threats to the state’s internal security and counter terrorism.
Today, Omega consists of eight detachments united under the motto “The Last Word Is Ours.” As part of Ukraine’s Defense Forces, they are helping repel russia’s armed aggression. It is one of the most combat-capable formations in the country, continuously improving its training, tactics and technical capabilities. Highly trained and versatile personnel — snipers, sappers, drone operators, combat divers, assault troops and reconnaissance specialists — operate at the limits of human endurance. In the sky, on the ground and on the water — three domains in which Omega operates with equal confidence and professionalism, remaining equally elusive and dangerous to the enemy.
The exhibition presents the history of Omega’s development, its special operations and participation in the largest battles of the russian-Ukrainian war, as well as unique artifacts and personal stories.
Musical accompaniment for the event will be provided by Ukrainian performer Okhtyrchanka.
Journalists are required to register in advance to attend the event.
Ivan Moisiienko, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor at the Department of Botany of Kherson State University, and board member of the Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group, has conducted nine expeditions with fellow experts across the territory of the former Kakhovka Reservoir following the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam by russian forces in 2023.
Researchers have documented protected plant species, including those listed in Ukraine’s Red Book of endangered species. A unique ecosystem of willow and poplar forests is rapidly developing on the former reservoir bed. This habitat type is protected across Europe under Resolution No. 4 of the Bern Convention.
Experts have also recorded unprecedented tree growth rates. Trees now reach an average height of more than five metres, with some exceeding seven metres. During the most recent expedition, scientists completed 47 geobotanical surveys.
Immediately after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, researchers identified only 11 plant species in the area. By autumn 2023, that number had risen to 69. Today, more than 350 species have been recorded.
Conservationists are proposing the creation of a biosphere reserve on the site.
By prior arrangement, journalists can interview Ivan Moisiienko either in the Kyiv region or online.
Background: On June 6, 2023, russian forces destroyed the dam of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant in Ukraine’s Kherson region. According to the report Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment Following the Kakhovka Dam Disaster, prepared by the United Nations and the Ukrainian government, the disaster caused nearly $14 billion in damages to Ukraine.
On June 13, a peaceful rally titled “Civilians Are Waiting. The World Must Act” will be held in Kyiv. The NGO “Civilians in Captivity” is inviting international media, diplomats, and representatives of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attend an event dedicated to Ukrainian civilians who have been held in captivity for more than five years without the possibility of exchange, access to normal life, or basic human rights.
The event highlights serious violations of international law by russia, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, which guarantee the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
Organizers are calling on world leaders, international organizations, and human rights institutions to take immediate action to secure the return of Ukrainian civilians.
Representatives of Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the Office of the Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as families of civilian hostages, are expected to attend.
A public discussion titled “To Show or To Protect: The Ethics of Documenting War” will take place in Kyiv on June 7.
During wartime, journalists, documentary filmmakers and human rights advocates are constantly confronted with a difficult question: how can the truth about war crimes and human suffering be reported without causing additional harm to survivors?
The discussion will explore:
- how visual materials become part of evidence-gathering efforts and where the line lies between informing the public and shocking audiences;
- how to work with former prisoners of war and survivors of violence without retraumatizing them or those documenting their stories;
- how society responds to traumatic content;
- whether there are ethical boundaries that should not be crossed, even in pursuit of the truth.
Speakers will include:
- Maksym Butkevych, human rights advocate, media professional, co-coordinator of the Hope Principle Charitable Foundation, and member of the expert council of the Center for Civil Liberties;
- Alisa Kovalenko, documentary filmmaker, human rights activist, and board member of Sema Ukraine;
- Oksana Romaniuk, director of the Institute of Mass Information;
- Oleksandr Avdieiev, psychotherapist and psychiatrist, founder of 4help | Online Psychotherapy, and author of the book Who Jokes Like That?
The discussion will be moderated by Olesia Bida, a journalist with the War Crimes Investigations Unit of the Kyiv Independent.
Admission is free upon prior registration. The exact venue will be shared with registered participants.
Background: The event is organized by the Center for Civil Liberties, the Hope Principle Charitable Foundation, and Docudays NGO.
A discussion on access to psychological support for Ukrainian children will take place in Kyiv on June 4.
Speakers at the event include Sofia and Yevheniia, beneficiaries of the Voices of Children Foundation; Olena Rozvadovska, co-founder of the Voices of Children Foundation; Nataliia Sosnovenko, head of the foundation’s Center for Psychological Expertise; and Larysa Hretchenko, a lawyer specializing in children’s rights protection and chair of the Ukrainian National Bar Association’s Family Law Committee.
Staff at the Voices of Children Foundation regularly work with children who directly request psychological support. However, many are unable to receive it. Ukrainian law requires consent from a parent or another legal guardian before a child can access psychological services — even when parents are serving on the front line, living under temporary occupation, have died, hold negative views toward mental health professionals, or are themselves a source of danger to the child.
The foundation’s proposals for improving access to psychological and psychiatric care for Ukrainian children and adolescents are available at the following link.
Background: According to a study by Beyond Conflict published in September 2024, 80% of Ukrainian children live with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Access to timely support often depends on whether there is an adult available and willing to provide consent for psychological assistance.
Ukrainian legislation divides minors into two categories. Children under the age of 14 are permitted only to carry out minor everyday transactions, such as purchasing food, clothing, or toys. Adolescents aged 14 to 18 may open bank accounts and manage their own income. However, neither group is currently allowed to independently seek psychological support.
The United Nations has for the first time added russia and Israel to its annual blacklist of parties responsible for conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). The organization documented 310 verified cases of CRSV involving prisoners of war and civilian detainees in russia and in russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. Most victims were men.
Since late 2024, the Alumni (Graduates) network — which unites men who survived captivity and torture, alongside groups such as SEMA-Ukraine, 29 December, and Numo, Sestry! — had been advocating for the decision. Oleksii Sivak, founder of the NGO Alumni, says the move is only the beginning of a long path toward real justice and accountability for russia.
Interviews with Oleksii can be arranged in Kyiv, Kherson or online by prior appointment.
Background: Oleksii Sivak is from Kherson, a city that was under russian occupation. A former sailor, he survived captivity and torture. He currently heads the NGO Alumni, which was created to support Ukrainians affected by russian aggression, particularly survivors of torture and conflict-related sexual violence. The organization focuses specifically on supporting civilian men.
Ruslan and Oleksandr were mobilized before the start of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. They were stationed in Mariupol when the war began, defended the city and were later taken captive alongside their fellow servicemen. For three years, they sewed clothes in a russian penal colony.
After returning from captivity, the veterans met Maksym Zakharchenko while sheltering together during an air raid alert at a rehabilitation center.
Maksym joined the military at the age of 18, returning from Poland, where his family had relocated after the start of the full-scale invasion. He later left the military due to multiple injuries and concussions.
The three veterans eventually decided to start their own business — a sewing factory called Volotsiuhy (Vagabonds).
They launched production in Kyiv three months ago and are already fulfilling large orders and partnering with established brands. Maksym, Ruslan and Oleksandr plan to expand production and are hiring new employees, including both civilians and veterans.
Interviews with the Volotsiuhy team can be arranged online or in person in Kyiv by prior appointment.
The Go to the Future 2026 charity run will take place on June 7, bringing together participants in Kyiv and online from across Ukraine. The programme includes the Unity Relay featuring veterans with prosthetic limbs and public figures, 2 km and 5 km races, children’s runs of 400 m and 800 m, as well as a 1 km race for participants with dogs.
Among the participants in the Unity Relay is 25-year-old Ivan Artiukh from the Luhansk region, who underwent 15 surgeries and an amputation after sustaining a blast injury. Just three weeks later, he was already looking for ways to return to sports. Today, he has won four gold medals in para swimming at the international veterans competition Air Force and Marine Corps Trials 2026. In June, Ivan will take part in a race on a running prosthetic leg for the first time.
Hlib Kravchenko, known by the callsign “Holden,” is participating in the run for the second time and became the main character of the social video “Taking My Life Back,” a personal story about adapting after limb loss.
Medical Center Orthotics & Prosthetics is the general partner of the third annual Go to the Future charity run. The event is organized by the Future for Ukraine foundation in support of veterans who lost limbs in combat.
Journalists are required to obtain accreditation.
Background: The run is being held with the financial support of Norway and Sweden as part of the “Strong Civil Society of Ukraine” project.
Medical Center Orthotics & Prosthetics is a specialized prosthetics and orthotics center supporting patients from their first prosthesis to a full and active life.
