Themes by tag: Kyiv

A groundbreaking adaptive yachting project for people with disabilities, including military veterans, has been launched in Kyiv. The initiative has already attracted more than 20 participants, both men and women, many of whom are veterans. Among them are individuals who have lost limbs and rely on wheelchairs for mobility.

The classes, which are offered free of charge, take place twice a week and cover both theory and practical training on the water. Participants are taught essential sailing skills, such as determining the boat’s position relative to the wind and managing the sails.

Currently, the project is in an experimental phase, but the organizers have ambitious plans to expand it across Ukraine and enhance the program’s resources and equipment.

For context: The adaptive yachting project was founded by Ihor Yatluk, a seasoned yacht captain and sailing athlete with five decades of experience, who also leads the NGO Vodnyk. He is joined by co-founder Nataliia Tyshchuk, a business consultant and fellow yacht captain.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

On August 14, representatives of the Book of Records of Ukraine will officially document the record for the smallest icon in Ukraine. This rare piece will be presented in Kyiv’s National Reserve “Sophia of Kyiv.” The icon has been made by painter Natalia Kushnir, a member of the National Union of Icon Painters of Ukraine.

According to preliminary data, the size of the “Image of Edessa” icon is 4 mm x 5.5 mm. Final measurements with special devices will be made when documenting the record. The icon has been painted with a hair-thin brush on a miniature disk of natural mother-of-pearl with a diameter of 19 mm. The craftswoman had to use an 8x magnifying glass to paint this icon.

Pre-accreditation is required.

• culture
• Kyiv

Journalists are invited to chat with the author of the “Seen” project Yulia Bevzenko and sculptor Yurii Biliavskyi.

“Seen” are two bronze check marks indicating messages that have been read in messengers. Families write to soldiers, soldiers write to their fellow soldiers, children write to their parents who are on the occupied territories, and all together write to the dearest people who are in high-risk regions and cities that have been shelled. This mini sculpture is a tribute to everyone who must wait for two check marks for long hours or even days on end.

Guests:

• Kateryna Prokopenko and wives waiting for the coveted check marks from their husbands,
• Oleksii Erinchak and co-founders of “Sens on Khreshchatyk” bookstore.

Pre-accreditation is required.

For reference: Kateryna Prokopenko is a Ukrainian illustrator, public activist and volunteer. Head of the Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families NGO and the Charity Fund for Support of Families of Azovstal Defenders. Wife of Denys Prokopenko, Commander of Azov 12th Special Purpose Brigade.

• culture
• Kyiv

In Ukraine, a mine countermeasures training project was launched to train people affected by explosive ordnance. As of now, 12 participants have joined the initiative, most of whom are veterans of the russo-Ukrainian war. The training will last three weeks.

During the training, participants will, in particular, learn about various aspects of UAV operation, data collection and analysis. After all, UAV operators are currently required for surveying territories and analyzing aerial photographs.

The goal of the project is to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities and to promote humanitarian demining in Ukraine with the help of innovative technologies.

The training has already started: the theoretical part will take place in Kyiv, and the field trips will take place in Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions.

For reference: The project is implemented by the United Nations Development Program in Ukraine with the participation of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the State Employment Center and the financial support of the Dutch government.

• Kyiv
• demining

In January 2015, during fierce fighting near the Donetsk airport, a serviceman of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Bohdan Pantiushenko, was taken prisoner by the russians. It was only five years later that Bohdan was finally returned home. He was released from captivity in an exchange on December 29, 2019. A year ago, Bohdan, together with his wife Viktoriia, started his own business, namely a family cafe in Kyiv region. It was one of the couple’s longtime dreams. The couple is raising a small son, so they have created a special area for children in their establishment, as well as a children’s menu.

At first, Bohdan planned to invest only his own funds, but he learned about the support program for veterans from the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation. Thus, the serviceman submitted an application and received almost UAH 3 million to realize his project. Now the doors of the establishment are open to everyone who wants to have a delicious meal.

By prior arrangement, the couple is ready to communicate with journalists, both online and in person in Kyiv region.

• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv

On August 12, Media Center Ukraine is set to be the venue for a briefing on “The Surge in COVID-19 Cases in Ukraine and the Spread of New Omicron Sub-Variants.”

The briefing will delve into several key issues, including the current COVID-19 status in Ukraine, updated vaccination guidelines as issued by the Ministry of Health, and emerging global and local trends related to the spread of new COVID-19 strains and influenza. The event will also feature a forecast and risk assessment from the World Health Organization (WHO), offering insights into the potential impact of these developments.

Participants:

– Ihor Kuzin, Deputy Minister of Health, Chief State Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine;

– Fedir Lapii, Head of the National Technical Group of Experts on Immunization, immunologist;

– Aron Aregay, Information Management and Risk Assessment Officer at the World Health Organization CO in Ukraine. 

For reference: Ukraine is experiencing a significant rise in COVID-19 cases, with the number of reported cases increasing fivefold since May 2024. Furthermore, the detection of three cases of the new Omicron sub-variant, FLiRT, in July signals the arrival of potentially more transmissible strains. 

This surge mirrors broader European trends, where elderly populations are particularly affected by a growing number of positive COVID-19 cases, according to the latest joint bulletin from the World Health Organization and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control. 

• doctors
• Kyiv

How should journalists and communicators approach conversations with military personnel and former prisoners of war without causing harm? What ethical considerations should guide the media’s portrayal of the military? These pressing questions will be at the forefront of a discussion led by Valeriia “Nava” Subotina, a reserve officer, former prisoner of war, and defender of Mariupol. Subotina, who now serves as the director of the YOUkraine hub for ex-prisoners of war, will share her expertise in an upcoming meeting with members of the media.

The session aims to emphasize the importance of ethical communication, highlighting how responsible interactions can aid military personnel and former POWs in transitioning back to civilian life and overcoming psychological trauma.

Pre-registration is required, with a minimum donation of 300 UAH for participation. The event will be held both in person and online via Google Meet. All funds raised will be directed to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

• military
• prisoners
• women
• Kyiv

A School of Construction Equipment Operators for Women has been started at Nemishaieve Professional College in Kyiv Oblast. The program is aimed at training women to become construction equipment drivers, which can help Ukrainian companies cope with the staffing crisis during the war. The idea for the school came from Yuliia Skichko, head of a construction equipment rental company. 

Among the first group of women to start training is a mother of three whose youngest daughter is just one year old. The oldest student in the group is 55 years old.

Tuition, accommodation, and meals are fully covered by the project. 

Practical training on modern construction equipment will begin in two weeks. By prior arrangement, journalists can cover the classes and talk to the participants and organizers of the initiative.

For reference: The program is being implemented by Alef Stroi (LLC “Production and Construction Company “ELITPROEKT-BUD”) and the Nemishaieve Professional College of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences (NUBiP) of Ukraine with the support of the USAID Competitive Economy Program and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine.

• women
• Kyiv

Diana Chernikova, a trained educator who now works as a fitness trainer, shared her life with her husband, Kostiantyn, a master of sports in artistic gymnastics. Kostiantyn dedicated his life to training young athletes and working as a fitness coach. His talents extended beyond the gym, as he also worked as a stuntman, appearing in films and commercials. Together, they raised their 8-year-old daughter, Kira.

The morning of February 24, 2022, shattered their world as explosions erupted across Kyiv. For a time, the family sheltered in the city, spending countless hours in the shared corridor of their building. Eventually, they decided to evacuate to Kalush, Diana’s hometown in western Ukraine.

Both Diana and Kostiantyn were determined to defend their country, eager to serve in the military. However, with a young daughter to care for, they made the difficult decision that only one of them could enlist. Kostiantyn volunteered in March 2022 and soon took on the role of an FPV drone pilot.

By August 2023, Kostiantyn was engaged in combat in the Donetsk region. Tragically, on May 29, 2024, his service came to a heartbreaking end when he was killed in action.

Diana remains deeply proud of her husband, who selflessly volunteered to protect Ukraine.

For those interested in hearing more about Kostiantyn’s story, Diana is available to speak with journalists in Kyiv.

For reference: The Children of Heroes charity fund is currently supporting Diana and her daughter. The organization aids children who have lost one or both parents due to russia’s full-scale invasion, offering financial assistance, psychological and legal support, and ensuring the educational and developmental needs of these children are met until they reach adulthood.

• dead
• military
• women
• Kyiv

For 15 years, Tetiana Hrek has dedicated her life to teaching karate to both children and adults. Together with her husband, she established a private gym in Bucha, Kyiv region. However, the full-scale invasion changed everything. When the war erupted, Tetiana and her family found themselves trapped under occupation. During this harrowing time, their gym was looted by invaders, and their home came under fire.

After two weeks of living under occupation, Tetiana and her family managed to escape to territory controlled by Ukraine. It wasn’t until a year later that she felt ready to return to Bucha. In her absence, fellow coaches who had remained in the city took it upon themselves to restore the gym and resume classes for children. When Tetiana finally returned, she was welcomed back by eager students waiting to train with her again. Additionally, a public martial arts school in Bucha reopened, and she was invited to join as an instructor.

• casualties
• children
• occupation
• russian crimes
• women
• Kyiv