Themes by tag: Kyiv
On June 15, the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) will host a new “Defence Talks” panel discussion in Kyiv, focusing on the future of Ukrainian defence exports and Ukraine’s strategic positioning within the global arms market.
In recent years, the global defence market has been undergoing a massive transformation. russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine has reshaped manufacturing approaches, the pace of technological innovation, and cooperation between state entities and private defense manufacturers. Nations worldwide are increasingly investing in unmanned systems, robotic complexes, software, autonomous solutions, and novel formats of defence partnerships. Real combat experience has emerged as a cornerstone of global competitiveness.
Under these circumstances, Ukraine finds itself in a unique position: while the state remains one of the world’s largest consumers of military equipment, Ukrainian manufacturers have developed cutting-edge technologies and operational practices that are already drawing significant interest from international partners.
In April, Ukraine launched the “Drone Deal” framework — a cooperation format that entails not only the export of Ukrainian-made armaments but also the joint development of new technologies and the transfer of Ukrainian battlefield expertise. The first agreement has already been signed with Lithuania, and work with other European partners is ongoing.
The Defence Talks session will explore the development of Ukraine’s arms export market, the solutions and technologies Ukrainian manufacturers can offer to global partners, and the requirements for making this cooperation systematic and mutually beneficial. Panelists will also discuss how to maintain a sustainable balance between frontline requirements, domestic manufacturing growth, and Ukraine’s integration into the global defence architecture. Special emphasis will be placed on the practical experience of Ukrainian enterprises and military units, which already commands international attention.
Speakers include:
- Denys Svyatokum — Board Member and Head of the International Cooperation Committee of the “Defence” Association of Ukrainian Employers;
- Anastasia Mishkina — Managing Director of the Technological Forces of Ukraine;
- Anton Melnyk — Representative of the “Mits” (Might) Defence Fund and Co-founder of the Techcosystem business alliance;
- Yaroslav Honchar — Co-founder and Chairman of the “Aerorozvidka” NGO;
- Oleksandr Kopyl — F-Drones;
- Oleksandr Yabchanka — Head of the Robotic Complexes Service of the “Da Vinci Wolves” Battalion.
Moderator: Tetiana Nikolaenko, Senior Researcher at NAKO and Deputy Head of the Public Anti-Corruption Council under the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
Event Language: Ukrainian with simultaneous English translation. For security reasons, the exact venue will be disclosed exclusively to registered participants.
Background Information: “Defence Talks” is a signature discussion series by NAKO that brings together state officials, defence industry representatives, civil society leaders, the diplomatic corps, and media professionals to address key trends and challenges within Ukraine’s security and defence sector.
The Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to strengthening Ukraine’s resilience against internal and external threats in sectors critical to national security through independent research, robust advocacy, and public awareness initiatives.
David Plaster is a former US military medic. After retiring from service, he traveled to more than 100 countries. In 2012, he decided to settle in Ukraine. In 2014, during the Revolution of Dignity, David treated the wounded on the Maidan.
Following the outbreak of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO), David trained Ukrainian service members in tactical combat casualty care (TCCC) and prepared instructors to pass on these crucial skills. Back then, a language barrier hindered David’s work, as he had to communicate through gestures with those who did not speak English. Today, the veteran is already fluent in Ukrainian.
Additionally, in 2014, he founded the “Anomaly” non-governmental organization, which provides humanitarian aid, conducts training sessions in both tactical medicine and English, and supports veterans and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Each month, the NGO’s team trains between 400 and 800 people in tactical medicine.
Interviews and conversations with David Plaster can be arranged both online and in-person in Kyiv, subject to prior agreement.
KyivPride Park, a charity and educational event that traditionally marks the beginning of the capital’s Pride celebrations ahead of the Equality March, will take place in Kyiv on June 14. The event will run throughout the day. Admission will be granted in exchange for a voluntary donation to UNITED24’s fundraising campaign for air defence. A community advocating for its own rights also contributes daily to the security of the entire country, making support a two-way effort.
This year, the organisers of KyivPride Park, the NGO KyivPride, have been joined by partners including the NGO Ukrainian LGBT+ Military and Veterans for Equal Rights, KharkivPride, PinchukArtCentre, the Sunny Bunny queer film festival, the Linoleum animation festival, the Memorial NGO, Underwood Brewery and others.
KyivPride Park will feature several spaces operating simultaneously, offering a range of activities for visitors. The programme will include DJ sets, among them Past Curfew with a mix of house, trance and techno, as well as an acoustic performance by Okolytsia.
Two panel discussions will also take place. The first, titled “How to Create Vibrant Queer Communications”, will bring together creators of LGBTIQ+ YouTube channels, Instagram pages and magazines to discuss how to speak about queerness on social media and how to deal with online hate. The second discussion, “Why Transgender Identity Is Not a Way to Avoid Military Service?”, will be moderated by Leon, a transgender man and blogger. Panellists will include Emilia, a transgender veteran, and endocrinologist Ilona Khanko, author of a book about gender transition in Ukraine.
The cinema area will screen animated films from the Linoleum festival and short films presented by Sunny Bunny, followed by discussions where audiences will be able to ask questions to directors.
KyivPride will create a memorial space together with the Memorial NGO, where visitors will be able to remember those who are no longer with them and tie ribbons bearing their names. Psychologists will also be available nearby for those who need immediate support.
The theme of those who serve will run throughout the entire day. LGBT military personnel are active partners of the event. Their presence will be reflected in various parts of the programme, from discussions about military service to a dedicated area where field porridge will be offered in exchange for donations and merchandise supporting veterans will be available.
Background: This year’s KyivPride will take place across two key dates. KyivPride Park, the charity and educational event, will be held on June 14. On June 21, the KyivPride March will take place in the centre of the capital in support of equal rights for all citizens regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
About the organisers: KyivPride is a non-governmental organisation working to advance equality and human rights in Ukraine and to strengthen the influence of civil society and the LGBTIQ+ community in the country’s path towards integration into the European Union.
Adam, 28, was born in Miami, United States. At the age of 17, he moved to Austria, where he completed high school, before later studying in Germany. It was in Austria that he first became friends with Ukrainians. In 2021, Adam visited Kyiv and Odesa for the first time.
After russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Adam travelled to Warsaw, where he volunteered to assist Ukrainian refugees. In early 2023, he moved to Ukraine permanently.
He later came across the charitable organisation Brave to Rebuild (Smilyvi Vidnovliuvaty) online and decided to join its volunteer efforts. Adam took part in the demolition of damaged structures and carried out minor repairs to homes hit by shelling. He also worked in Kherson shortly after russian forces destroyed the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam in 2023.
Adam is currently involved in emergency response work, boarding up windows in residential buildings damaged by russian strikes. He recently became a staff member of Brave to Rebuild. Adam has also learned the Ukrainian language.
By prior arrangement, journalists will have an opportunity to interview Adam in Kyiv after June 15.
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.
Ivano-Frankivsk, Poltava, and Kyiv are inviting volunteers to join a basic military training course for civilians, organized by the Khartia-Hub and the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine “Khartia.”
During the training course, instructors will provide comprehensive training in firearms handling, group and pair coordination, tactical medicine, dry-fire drills, operational planning, after-action reviews, topography, and other essential military disciplines.
Prior registration is required to participate in the event.
Alla and Oleksiy began building their life together in 2021. As a serviceman in the “Azov” Regiment, Oleksiy was frequently deployed on missions.
On the night of February 24, 2022, the couple was scheduled to fly abroad for a vacation. However, just a day prior, the fighter was urgently deployed to Mariupol. It was there that Oleksiy witnessed the beginning of the full-scale invasion, and in May 2022, he and his fellow brothers-in-arms entered captivity following orders to leave the Azovstal steelworks.
Since then, Alla, who never had the chance to officially become Oleksiy’s wife, has been fighting for his freedom and return to Ukraine. For four years now, alongside Oleksiy’s mother, Oksana, she has been anxiously awaiting every prisoner exchange. In 2024, alongside other relatives of captured Azov fighters, Alla traveled to the Vatican, where she met with Pope Francis. The young woman continuously initiates meetings with the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, the National Guard (NSU) command, and representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Currently, Oleksiy remains illegally sentenced in russia to 29 years in a maximum-security prison. He faces fabricated charges of shooting a civilian woman in Mariupol and committing acts of terrorism.
Interviews with Alla can be arranged by prior agreement, either online or in person within the Kyiv region.
A jiu-jitsu memorial tournament will be held in Kyiv on June 13, supported by the Forces Support Battalion and the Medical Service of the “Azov” Regiment, whose ranks included fighters who practiced the martial art.
The tournament is dedicated to the students of the Rocket jiu-jitsu school who lost their lives defending Ukraine. Through sport, competition, community, and mutual support, the participants and organizers aim to honor their memory.
Registration is required to attend the event.
The research presentation “After Captivity: What Released Civilians Face” will take place in Kyiv on June 9.
The study was prepared by the Civil Society Protection Foundation “Civis Fortis” in cooperation with the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation.
Finding housing, medical treatment, and restoring identity documents are just some of the challenges awaiting Ukrainian civilians upon their release from russian captivity. How do former hostages navigate this journey? Is there comprehensive state support available for them? What changes need to be implemented in the fields of medical, social, and legal assistance?
Speakers:
- Anastasiia Odintsova, Legal Analyst at Civis Fortis;
- Maxym Parashchevin, Expert at the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation;
- Kostiantyn Davydenko, survivor of russian captivity;
- Olena Yahupova, survivor of russian captivity and forced labor;
- Tetiana Katrychenko, Head of the Media Initiative for Human Rights.
Media accreditation is required to attend.
Five Ukrainian veterans with amputations and severe combat injuries will compete in the international Oceanman Lago d’Orta swimming event in Italy. On June 13 and 14, they will take on 2-kilometer and 5.5-kilometer open-water distances alongside participants from around the world, without a separate category or special conditions. An open-water training session will take place in Kyiv region on June 6.
The team’s preparation for the competition is led by Serhii Kostenko, founder and head coach of the K-TEAM Swimming Club and co-founder of the NGO Impossible Is Possible, which promotes adaptive and veteran sports in Ukraine. According to the coach, open-water swimming presents a completely different challenge from training in a pool.
The training program focuses on balance, stroke technique, breathing, navigation, and interaction with the water environment. In addition to physical preparation, psychological adaptation is a key component.
During training sessions, the veterans learn to work as a team, navigate using buoys, manage their energy, and cope with the stress factors typical of open-water competitions.
Journalists can attend and cover the open-water training session by prior arrangement.
Background: The IRON WARRIORS project is implemented by the YANKO Fund charitable foundation in partnership with IRON WARRIORS SPORT HUB and FlyPoint, which also serves as the project’s logistics partner.
