Themes by tag: Kyiv

For the past 15 years, Tetiana Hrek has dedicated herself to teaching karate to children and adults. Before the all-out invasion, she and her husband owned a gym in Bucha, a town in the Kyiv region. But when the war broke out, their lives took a dramatic turn. The family found themselves under occupation, their gym looted by russian forces, and their home shot at. After enduring two weeks of occupation, Tetiana and her family managed to escape to Ukrainian-controlled territory.

A year later, Tetiana decided to return to Bucha. In the interim, other coaches who had remained in the city had restored the gym and resumed teaching local children. Upon her return, Tetiana was welcomed back by eager students. A public martial arts school in Bucha also reopened its doors, inviting her to teach there.

Today, Tetiana offers lessons both online and offline, available by appointment.

• occupation
• reconstruction
• russian crimes
• women
• Kyiv

On February 12, Kyiv will host the first retrospective exhibition entitled “The Universe of Lyubov”. This exhibition will serve as a symbolic tribute to the life and artistic legacy of the brilliant Ukrainian artist Lyubov Panchenko, who tragically died as a result of the russian occupation of Bucha in 2022.

The exhibition will feature sketches of clothing designs, garments and accessories, paintings, collages and decorative murals, as well as photographs and personal items of the artist.

The exhibition explores Lyubov Panchenko’s life in the socio-political context of her time, as well as her relationships with influential figures such as Viacheslav Chornovil, Mykola Plakhotniuk, Alla Horska, Liudmyla Semykina, and others.

The curators aim to show how Panchenko’s artistic works are reinterpreted, transformed, and inspire contemporary artists.

Journalists must be accredited for the event. (Presentation to the media on February 12)

Background: Lyubov Panchenko survived the russian occupation in her home in Bucha, Kyiv oblast. After the liberation of the region, she was found in a state of extreme exhaustion. Reports indicate that she was forced to starve during the russian occupation. She was hospitalized but died at the age of 85.

February 24, 2025, marks three years since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

• culture
• occupation
• Kyiv

Tetiana Skyba, a 66-year-old preschool teacher, is a resident of Hostomel and the head of a homeowners’ association that manages two apartment buildings. At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, she opened all the basement shelters in the buildings and placed wooden pallets so that people would have a place to hide. More than a hundred people took refuge there, including a two-month-old baby. Tetiana and her neighbors cooked food in her apartment. When the utilities were cut off, they cooked outside. Her husband was injured by a blast.

On March 5, russian occupiers stormed the buildings and took up residence inside, forcing civilians to remain in the basements. Some residents later decided to evacuate and moved to another neighborhood, but they couldn’t leave the town. The occupiers ordered them to return and tried to deport them to Belarus. However, none of the residents agreed.

A few days later, Tetiana managed to escape. When she returned to Hostomel in April 2022, she saw a horrible scene — her building and the one across the street each had three direct hits. Their roofs were destroyed, and there was no electricity, water, or gas. Tetiana’s own apartment was so badly damaged that she had to stay in someone else’s home when she returned.

Along with other residents, Tetiana began restoring the buildings. She recalls that even her former preschool students came to help. By the end of 2022, the roof of her building had been repaired. Later, a European charity helped restore the roof of the second building and replace broken windows. Just a few days ago, the last broken window in the damaged house was finally replaced with a new glass unit.

By prior arrangement, journalists can meet with Tetiana in Hostomel, Kyiv oblast.

Background: February 24, 2025, marks three years since the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

• casualties
• occupation
• reconstruction
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On February 19, Kyiv will host the opening of “Ukraine’s Path to the EU in Illustrations, Posters, and Artworks,” an exhibition showcasing the country’s journey toward European Union membership.  

Through a collection of works by renowned artists, illustrators, and creative professionals, the exhibition highlights key moments in Ukraine’s historic path to EU integration. Each piece reflects a distinct stage of this significant process, offering a visual narrative of the nation’s aspirations and challenges.  

The exhibition will also feature artifacts provided by the Museum of the Revolution of Dignity.  

For reference: The exposition was initiated by the Office of the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and supported by the EU Association4U project.

• culture
• Kyiv

On February 11, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation will present its latest grant competition for non-governmental organizations, “VARTO: Ednannia 2.0,” at an event in Kyiv.  

Speakers include:  

• Yuliia Kirillova, Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine;
• Nina Rogovets, Acting Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation;
• Volodymyr Sheyhus, Executive Director of ISAR Ednannia. 

During the presentation, the foundation will introduce its new competition program, developed in partnership with Initiative Center to Support Social Action “Ednannia” (ISAR Ednannia). The initiative is open to public associations with legal entity status, including NGOs and public unions.  

The program aims to support projects that help veterans develop new professional skills, providing them with opportunities for training and career growth.  

Accreditation is required to attend the event.

• Kyiv

From February 14 to 16, Ukrainian Railways is bringing back its “Train to You” romantic express, offering Ukrainian military personnel and their loved ones a unique railway experience.  

This year’s journey promises an unforgettable ride, with vintage steam locomotives setting the scene for a special celebration in both Kyiv and Lviv. The trip will last just over two hours, giving couples time to enjoy a private compartment with romantic music and a themed game designed for two. A charming tea party is also planned, along with special gifts for those traveling on Valentine’s Day, February 14.  

• culture
• military
• Kyiv
• Lviv

Peaceful events are planned in 25 cities across Ukraine to raise awareness of the defenders of Azovstal and other soldiers still in enemy captivity.

On February 8, rallies will be held in Ochyrka, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Irpin, Poltava, Dnipro, Zaporizhia and Pavlohrad.

On February 9, peaceful actions are scheduled in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Pivdenoukrainsk, Uman, Krolevets, Korop, Ovruch, Korosten, Kremenchuk, Uzhhorod, Mykolaiv, Ostroh, Obukhiv, Berdychiv, Chernivtsi and Kropyvnytskyi.

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.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On February 12, Ukrzaliznytsia and the Sonoma Cats Charitable Foundation will host a large-scale blood donation drive in Kyiv.

The event will feature several key initiatives:

• The Ukrainian Bone Marrow Donor Registry will offer attendees the chance to register as potential donors.
• The Ukrainian Transplant Coordination Center will provide an opportunity to sign consent forms for posthumous organ donation.

Beyond blood collection, the initiative will also raise funds for pre-hospital blood transfusion equipment for the medical service of Ukraine’s 13th Khartiia Brigade of the National Guard. 

Journalists planning to cover the event are required to register in advance.

• volunteers
• Kyiv

Kateryna Shkumat once worked as a tester and technical support specialist, but a chance discovery set her on an entirely new path. She first learned about Reskilling Ukraine, a Swedish initiative that trains women to operate vehicles in the C, D, and CE categories, by accident. Noticing how many men are currently defending Ukraine, Kateryna recognized that she too could contribute. The idea of becoming a lorry driver came to her spontaneously, but the more she thought about it, the more it made sense. 

Her family, including her parents and grandparents, fully supported her decision to switch careers. Now, Kateryna is already on the road, working as a truck driver. She also has ambitions to try her hand at driving a bus.

Journalists can arrange to speak with Kateryna in Kyiv by appointment.

• women
• Kyiv

On February 10, Media Center Ukraine will hold a briefing: “Report on NABU and SAPO activities for the second half of 2024”.

Participants:

– Semen Kryvonos, Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU);

– Oleksandr Klymenko, Head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).

During the briefing, the speakers will present a report on the activities of NABU and SAPO for the second half of 2024, discuss key achievements and outline priority areas for 2025.

Please note: Registration for the briefing is required and will be open until February 9, 2025. For security reasons, only accredited participants will be able to attend the briefing. Confirmation of participation will be sent via email.

• Kyiv