Themes by tag: Kyiv

Taras Stolyar was a bandurist in the National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments for 20 years. His musical career was put on hold on February 24, 2022, when he joined Kyiv’s territorial defense. By March, he was defending the Kyiv oblast from russian occupiers, earning the nickname “Bandura”. Later, his unit was deployed to the eastern front, where he fought near Kreminna and Bakhmut, first as a rifleman and later as a drone operator.

In November 2023, Taras joined the “Cultural Forces,” a group of Ukrainian artists who perform for soldiers on the front lines, in hospitals, and in liberated cities. His bandura performances are meant to inspire and boost the morale of the military.

In the fall of 2024, Taras and other members of “Cultural Forces” project embarked on a tour of the United States, performing 170 benefit concerts. One of his performances was attended by the English musician Sting. According to Taras, the unique sound of his bandura and a cover of one of Sting’s songs captivated the legendary artist. As a result, Stoliar accompanied Sting at a concert in Los Angeles. The military musicians also recorded a video with Sting, which quickly gained popularity on the Internet.

Taras Stoliar is available for interviews with journalists, both online and in person, by prior arrangement. He is either in Kyiv or deployed to the front lines.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

The “Road of Life” lighting installation in Irpin, crafted on the site of the destroyed Romanyiv Bridge, has been recognized at the renowned LIT Lighting Design Awards, an esteemed international competition based in Switzerland. The project earned top honors in the Religious & Spiritual Site Lighting Design category, highlighting its profound impact and creative vision.  

The installation features red threads illuminated by pulsating light, symbolically connecting the shattered remnants of the bridge. This poignant design pays tribute to resilience and recovery amid destruction, resonating with audiences worldwide.  

Journalists are invited to explore the “Road of Life” installation on-site and obtain commentary to share this remarkable story with a broader audience.  

• culture
• Kyiv

On January 8, the Media Initiative for Human Rights and the Association “Marine Corps Strength” will host a major press conference in Kyiv to mark 1,000 days since Ukrainian marines were taken captive. The event aims to draw attention to the conditions faced by marines in russian captivity and the urgent need for international access to detention facilities. Participants will receive the event’s location via email upon registration.  

Key topics to be addressed:

– The number of marines detained, their health, and the conditions of their captivity in russia;

– The role of mixed medical commissions, as mandated by the Geneva Convention, in assessing the status of injured and seriously ill prisoners of war;

– Diplomatic avenues to secure access to detention sites in russia, with a focus on the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties;

During the press conference, families of the prisoners of war will unveil a symbolic pin to express solidarity with the marines who defended Mariupol. 

Featured speakers:

– Family representatives of the detained marines;

– Olena Belyachkova, coordinator for families of prisoners and missing persons with the Media Initiative for Human Rights;

– A representative from Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

– Dmytro Usov, Secretary of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. 

Registration is required to attend the event.

For reference: In April and May 2022, following the protracted defense of Mariupol, marine units and other defenders of the city were captured by russian forces. A significant number were taken prisoner on April 12, 2022, during a breakout attempt from the russian-occupied Illich plant as they sought to join forces with the Azov Regiment at Azovstal.  

Families report that many of the captured marines are in critical condition, with some suffering from advanced tuberculosis, cancer, or other severe health issues requiring specialized medical equipment. Reports also indicate that some prisoners are permanently connected to artificial lung ventilation systems. Despite their dire state, russia continues to detain these individuals without adequate medical care. 

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Vitalii “Sarmat” Kozhokar, a war veteran from Irpin, has found a remarkable way to transform remnants of conflict into symbols of resilience. Kozhokar crafts one-of-a-kind writing pens from shell casings, with notable recipients including Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the former Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, and prominent journalist Tamar Jacoby.  

Kozhokar’s journey began in 2014 when he first took up arms to defend Ukraine during russia’s incursion into eastern Ukraine. In February 2022, he joined the Volunteer Formation of the Irpin Territorial Community, where, as a platoon commander, he led successful efforts to repel enemy advances on his hometown.  

Today, alongside fellow veteran Volodymyr, Kozhokar creates pens from shell casings recovered from battlefields of the russian-Ukrainian war, as well as relics from the First and Second World Wars. 

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

To raise awareness about the defenders of Azovstal and other soldiers still held in enemy captivity, a performance entitled “Third Christmas in Captivity” will be held in Lviv, accompanied by peaceful rallies in 24 cities across Ukraine.

Scheduled events:

December 21: Peaceful rallies in Okhtyrka, Pivdennoukrainsk, Chernihiv, Irpin, Vinnytsia, Kolomyia, Zhytomyr, Obukhiv, Poltava, Pavlohrad, and Zaporizhia.

December 22: Peaceful rallies in Kyiv, Uman, Krolevets, Korosten, Ovruch, Cherkasy, Uzhhorod, Mykolaiv, Korostyshiv, Kovel, Kropyvnytskyi, Odesa, Ostroh, and Lviv.

The events are organized by the families of POWs from the Mariupol garrison. The rallies are often attended by Ukrainians who have been released from captivity.

• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv
• Lviv
• Odesa

On December 23, Kyiv will host the festive event “Warmth of Hearts”: A Christmas Celebration of Faith and Hope” organized by the Command of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in cooperation with the Association of Families of Territorial Defenders of Ukrainian cities.

The purpose of the event is to create a special Christmas atmosphere for the children and relatives of servicemen, families of the missing, prisoners and those who gave their lives for Ukraine’s freedom, and to unite all Ukrainians in these difficult times. Organizers hope to remind Ukrainian society of the importance of kindness and support for one another.

Highlights of the event:

• A concert featuring well-known artists and amateur groups;
• A charity fair organized by the families of territorial defense servicemen from all over Ukraine;
• Interactive activities for children;
• Presentations of volunteer formations of territorial communities;
• A video recording of Christmas wishes near the “Dreams for Ukraine” themed Christmas tree;
• Recording of a Christmas video message for the servicemen of the Territorial Armed Forces.

For security reasons, the location of the event will be announced to registered participants two hours before the event begins.

• culture
• Kyiv

The United States recently hosted the debut of  “Through the Eyes of Children”, a powerful collection of children’s quotes published by HarperCollins Publishers, one of the world’s most renowned publishing houses.  

Originally published in February 2023 by the “Voices of Children” Charitable Foundation, the book aims to draw global attention to the hardships faced by children as a result of russia’s war against Ukraine. Within just three months of its release, HarperCollins Publishers expressed interest and secured the rights to publish the book in the U.S. and worldwide. 

The U.S. book tour took place from December 8 to 14, with events in three cities: New York, Washington, D.C., and New Haven. A signed copy of the book by Tania Vovk was also presented to Timothy Snyder, a Yale professor and a devoted friend of Ukraine. 

The centerpiece of the tour was the presentation of “War Through the Eyes of Ukrainian Children: An Evening of Stories, Discussion, and Reflection”, held on December 13 in New York at the Ukrainian Institute of America, with support from the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations. 

Among other things, the voices of Ukrainian children, with the support of Rebirth.Ukraine, resonated in the legendary Times Square. 

Journalists can access further details about the book launch in the United States, along with accompanying photos and videos.

• children
• culture
• Kyiv

The War Museum and the Kyiv Koliada community are inviting residents and visitors of Kyiv to partake in traditional Christmas Eve celebrations on December 22.  

Kyivska Koliada, a vibrant community of children and adults, is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich traditions of caroling in a contemporary urban setting. Since its inception, the group has performed carols for Kyiv audiences twice annually—on December 25 and January 7. Following the Orthodox Church of Ukraine’s adoption of the New Julian calendar, Kyiv Koliada now brings Christmas cheer to Ukrainians on December 25, gathering at central squares and iconic landmarks in the city to proclaim the Savior’s birth.  

This year’s festivities will unfold on the Pechersk Hills, beneath the towering Motherland sculpture, where participants will perform carols and showcase traditional Christmas wreaths.  

Event attendance requires prior accreditation.

• culture
• Kyiv

On December 18, a roundtable discussion titled “Supporting the Development of Distributed Power Generation in Ukrainian Communities.” will be held in Kyiv. JSC Energy Company of Ukraine, the Association CIGRE-Ukraine, and the Association of Small Cities of Ukraine will discuss initiatives to promote the implementation of distributed power generation in Ukrainian communities. During the roundtable, a trilateral memorandum of cooperation will be signed to support municipalities in creating and managing new energy capacities to ensure reliable power supply for the priority needs of the population.

Participants:

– Vitaly Butenko, CEO of JSC Energy Company of Ukraine;

– Pavlo Kozyrev, Chairman of the Association of Small Towns of Ukraine;

– Oleksandr Svetelyk, President of the CIGRE-Ukraine Association;

– Yurii Fomichev, Mayor of Slavutych;

– Roman Vybranovskyi, co-founder of the Ukraine Facility Platform.

Prior accreditation is required to attend the event. 

• Kyiv

On December 21, the War Museum in Kyiv will host the presentation of Chernihiv During the War – 2022: Voices of Living Witnesses, a bilingual collection of firsthand accounts detailing the russian occupation and siege of Chernihiv and its surrounding region between February and April 2022.

The project was initiated by Kateryna Lytvyn, a historian and candidate of historical sciences. At the outset of russia’s all-out invasion, Lytvyn fled Chernihiv to a nearby settlement that remained under occupation for 36 days. Following the region’s liberation, she sought to document the personal stories of Chernihiv residents. Her efforts were supported by the Chernihiv City Council’s Department of Culture and Tourism, along with a group of researchers who have since formed the Chernihiv Research Center for the Anthropology of War. The project’s archive now contains over 350 interviews, 24 of which are featured in this publication and translated into English.

The event will offer attendees a chance to meet the book’s co-editors, including Kateryna Lytvyn, Oleksandr Shevchuk, Svitlana Makhovska, Olena Boriak, Oleksandr Vasianovych, Olha Vorobiei, Anastasiia Pankova, Olha Berezovska, and translator Andrii Shataliuk.

Prior accreditation is required to attend the presentation.

• occupation
• russian crimes
• Kyiv