Themes by tag: Kyiv

Media professionals are cordially invited to a press tour on June 28 to witness the unveiling of the newly restored library in the once-occupied village of Rudnytske, nestled in Kyiv region. In 2022, the village fell victim to russian military aggression, resulting in the destruction of its school, infrastructure, and numerous private residences.

Among the casualties was the local club, which housed the village library. Thanks to generous benefactors, the club has been transformed into a vibrant creative hub for Rudnytske’s youth. The latest endeavor in this revitalization effort is the restoration of the library, featuring complete refurbishment of its premises—walls, ceilings, and floors—alongside the acquisition of new furniture and a selection of books.

The library’s grand reopening will feature a presentation of “Piddubnyi: Victories and Unforgiven Love for Ukraine” by author Serhii Smahlicuk. Additionally, the philanthropists behind the restoration project will host 3-5 summer events for locals, including book presentations, literary readings, and poetry evenings.

During the press tour, a press conference will be convened with Natalia Vasylenko, head of the branch library, Oleksandr Pakholiuk, director of the MHP-Gromadi Foundation, and Iryna Borzak, village head, in attendance. Attendees will have the opportunity to be among the inaugural visitors and receive Rudnytske library cards.

Complimentary shuttle services will be provided. Journalists must secure accreditation for the event, with registration open until 12:00 on June 27.

• occupation
• reconstruction
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Recent developments in the Black Sea region have underscored Ukraine’s resilience and strategic prowess. With significant blows dealt to the russian Black Sea Fleet and efforts to restore vital shipping lanes, the security landscape has undergone a transformation. In response to these shifts, the Crimea Platform Expert Network has convened the Third International Forum, slated for June 25.

The forum will convene Ukrainian and global experts alongside government officials to take stock of the evolving situation in Ukraine as of summer 2024. Discussions will focus on strategies to further weaken russian naval capabilities and strategies for economic revitalization amidst persistent threats from russia and its allies.

Integral to the International Crimea Platform’s mission of de-occupation and reintegration of Crimea, the forum seeks to bolster Black Sea, European, and global security.

Representatives from over 15 countries will gather, including members from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Security and Defense Council, as well as independent experts, international think tanks, NGOs, diplomats from member countries of the International Crimea Platform, and academic circles.

Prior accreditation is required.

• occupation
• Kyiv

Arkadii Fishman, an innovative mind hailing from Sloviansk, Donetsk Oblast, now residing in Ternopil Oblast, has devised a unique fundraising strategy. Teaming up with his companion, Olenka Dunets, Fishman is embarking on a 650 km journey across Ukrainian cities, showcasing his creation—a sofa on wheels—to raise funds for the Armed Forces.

Their odyssey has already commenced, with Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, and Kyiv slated as pit stops along the way. Residents of these locales can catch a glimpse of the mobile sofa, snap photos, and contribute to the cause through donations. Fishman aims to culminate the tour in the capital on July 6th.

As Fishman is on his way to Khmelnytskyi, journalists have the opportunity to delve deeper into the charitable expedition and engage in conversation with him.

• Khmelnytskyi
• Kyiv
• Ternopil
• Vinnytsia
• Zhytomyr

Since last summer, the security situation in the Black Sea region has shifted significantly. Ukraine’s security and defense forces have inflicted heavy losses on the russian Black Sea Fleet and helped restore shipping and sea trade routes. In light of this new context, the Crimea Platform Expert Network has initiated the Third International Forum. The event will bring together Ukrainian and international experts and government officials to assess the current situation in Ukraine as of summer 2024, devise strategies to further diminish russian naval capabilities, and explore approaches to revitalizing Ukraine’s economy despite ongoing threats from russia and its allies.

The forum is part of the International Crimea Platform, a mechanism aimed at the de-occupation and reintegration of Crimea, and the restoration of Black Sea, European, and global security.

Representatives from over 15 countries will attend the forum, including members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the National Security and Defense Council, independent experts, international think tanks, non-governmental organizations, diplomats from International Crimea Platform member countries, and the academic community.

Prior accreditation is required.

• occupation
• Kyiv

Folklorist Yaryna Sizyk, animation director Maria Ozirna, and the Oleksii Shovkunenko Kherson Art Museum have launched a project focused on restoring paintings seized by russians during the city’s occupation. Museum staff estimate that about ten thousand artworks were taken. The project’s goal is to recreate these stolen pieces.

The team has successfully reproduced Mykhailo Bryansky’s painting “Portrait of a Girl in an Embroidered Dress.” Yaryna and Maria spent a month preparing this first piece, which was not only repainted but also modernized and animated. Ukrainian model and singer Daria Astafieva helped bring the painting to life, transforming herself into the girl in an embroidered dress made from the stolen canvas. During the animation, they used a shirt embroidered by Inna Mykutska, a Kherson guide, during the occupation.

The project founders are now preparing for their next restoration and are in discussions with Ukrainian influencers. 

Yaryna Sizyk and Maria Ozirna are available for interviews with journalists in Kyiv.

• culture
• russian crimes
• Kherson
• Kyiv

“Swimming from 0 to 1,000 Meters in 2 Months” is a rehabilitation initiative designed to help injured military personnel regain physical and mental confidence. This program, based in Kyiv, focuses on intensive swimming training, specifically catering to soldiers who have lost limbs. Over two months, participants engage in rigorous pool sessions aimed at building strength and endurance.

Training occurs three times a week, with rehabilitation and massage therapists providing additional support twice a week. Since October 2023, the program has seen over 100 participants.

The current cohort is preparing for the Oceanman open water competition, scheduled for June 28-30 in Kyiv. This weekend, they will be practicing at a local lake.

Journalists interested in covering the “Swimming from 0 to 1,000 Meters in 2 Months” project can do so by prior arrangement.

For reference: The program is an initiative of ONE TEAM FORCES, a public organization committed to offering personalized, comprehensive recovery opportunities for wounded soldiers. Its community supports combatants who served before and/or after February 24, 2022, and were injured or traumatized due to the armed aggression of russia.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

The Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilynskyi 36th Marine Brigade was one of the units defending Mariupol until the very end. In April-May 2022, about 1,300 servicemen from this unit were captured by the enemy. According to their families, the International Committee of the Red Cross has confirmed the detention of about 800 of these servicemen.

The enemy is especially reluctant to exchange Mariupol defenders, who are subjected to daily torture, beatings, hunger, and moral humiliation. For over two years, these prisoners of war have endured terrible conditions in pre-trial detention centers and colonies. Relatives of the POWs from the 36th Marine Brigade believe that the prisoners’ endurance is nearly depleted, and their health is in critical condition.

During the press conference, the relatives will provide detailed accounts of what they have learned about the prisoners of war and their conditions of detention.

Participants:
– Tetiana Katrychenko, Executive Director of the Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIHR);

– Milana Kompaniets, mother of Yurii Hulchuk, a POW from the 36th Marine Brigade;

– Yuliia Petryk, wife of Mykyta Petryk, a POW, and Major of the 36th Marine Brigade;

– Hanna Bei, wife of Pavlo Bei, a POW, and Senior Sailor of the 501st Separate Battalion of the 36th Marine Brigade;

– Maryna Holinko, Major of the Medical Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who survived captivity in 2022.

• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv

On June 20, Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform will host a discussion entitled: “Global Peace Summit: Conclusions, Results, Solutions for Ukraine’s Recovery”

Participants:

• Yevhen Mahda, Executive Director of the Institute of World Policy;
• Nataliya Plaksiienko-Butyrska, expert on East Asia, Master of International Relations;
• Vadym Denysenko, political scientist;
• Volodymyr Horbach, Executive Director of Institute for Northern Eurasia Transformation.

Topics of focus:

• Expectations and results: the key conclusions of the Global Peace Summit;
• What’s next: how will the situation develop after the Summit?
• Reaction of the russian federation and prospects for its participation in the next Summit;
• The reaction of the East and the Global South, lessons for Ukraine;
• What “homework” should Ukraine work on before the next Summit?

For reference: on June 15-16, the Global Peace Summit initiated by Ukraine was held in Switzerland. More than 100 countries and organizations from around the world took part in it.

• Kyiv

USAID TCA invites the media to the meeting “Ukraine’s National Strategic Narrative: the Second Year of the Full-Scale Invasion” on June 19. For two years, CAT-UA organization has been monitoring the Ukrainian media space and analyzing changes in the public discourse on the war. The media is invited to discuss the annual report, which covers more than 350,000 social media and online media posts between 24 February, 2023 and 24 February, 2024.

This report highlights a significant change in public sentiment: from strong confidence in victory to a weak hope for it. The state narrative has become less clear, and the once coherent story of Ukrainian resistance is now fragmented. In addition, russian narratives in the temporarily occupied territories are getting increasingly more aligned with the occupiers’ communication with the russian audience. Despite these alarming signals, the report contains numerous recommendations for the media that could strengthen Ukraine’s national strategic narrative.

The speaker is Artem Zakharchenko, Head of CAT-UA NGO.

Accreditation is required.

For reference: The event is organized in partnership with the Recovery Window media network.

• Kyiv

On June 30, the capital will host a charity Run of Honor to Remember Rekrut. Rekrut is the call sign of Oleksii Chubashev, a military journalist who created and hosted his program about military training entitled Rekrut.ua. All funds from the registration fees of those participating in the run will be directed to the needs of the International Legion (Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine).

The event includes 5 and 10-kilometer runs, which you can join both in person in Kyiv and online from anywhere in the world. Civilians and the military will participate in the competition, most of whom will cover the distance in their units.

Throughout his life, Oleksii paid a lot of attention to physical training and actively engaged in running and other sports, so his wife, Yuliia Chubasheva, together with the Run Ukraine company, decided to initiate a race in honor of the military man.

Oleksii Chubashev took part in the Anti-Terrorist Operation in the East of Ukraine, and after the start of the full-scale invasion, he joined the International Legion of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. On June 10, 2022, Oleksii Chubashev died in battle near Sievierodonetsk.

Media accreditation for the event starts next week.

For reference: The event is organized by Run Ukraine with Rekrut acting as a co-organizer.

• Kyiv