Themes by tag: Kyiv

On June 3, the Tribe project will be presented at the Media Center Ukraine.

Amnesty International Ukraine, in partnership with Amnesty International Denmark, is launching Tribe, a new initiative aimed at empowering Ukrainian veterans through human rights education and civic engagement.

The project will provide veterans of the russia-Ukraine war with access to a robust training program focused on human rights, advocacy, media literacy, psychological resilience, and project implementation. From July to November 2025, participants will take part in a blended learning experience, including online sessions, in-person retreats, workshops, community outreach, and mentoring. The program also offers support in launching participants’ own human rights initiatives, with guidance from Amnesty International and collaboration with media partners.

Participants: 

– Veronika Puhach, Coordinator of the Tribe Educational Human Rights Project at Amnesty International Ukraine;

– Lera Burlakova, Veteran, Campaigns and Media Coordinator at Amnesty International Ukraine;

– Kateryna Pryimak, Veteran, Head of the Women’s Veterans Movement NGO;

– Bohdana Levytska, Head of the Vesta Charity Fund and Volunteer Association;

– Kateryna Khrapovych, Training Manager at the Pryncyp Human Rights Center for Military Personnel and Veterans NGO.

• Kyiv

A Kyiv-based family of artists — Oleksandr Klymenko, Sonia Atlantova, and their son Herman — have spent nearly 11 years painting icons on wooden boards from ammunition crates used at the frontlines. Their project, “Icons on Ammo Boxes”, supports charitable initiatives, symbolizing the transformation of death (represented by the crates) into life (embodied by icons in Ukrainian culture).

Over the past year, the artists have centered their work on deported Ukrainian children, creating a Mother of God series to highlight their plight. In May 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gifted Pope Leo XIV their icon “Mother of God with Infant”, painted on a board from a crate brought from Izium, Kharkiv oblast — a town occupied by russian forces from March to September 2022.

The artists source wood from crates used in Izium, Bakhmut, Kherson, Mariupol, and Kyiv oblast, occasionally incorporating debris from destroyed roofs or vehicles. Their works are held by prominent figures, including King Charles III of the UK and several world leaders. Previous icons were also gifted to Pope Francis.

Journalists can interview the artists involved in the “Icons on Ammo Boxes” project, in Kyiv by prior agreement.

• culture
• Kyiv

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine will hold a press briefing on June 2 at Media Center Ukraine to present the results of the 2024/25 academic year.

Key topics:

– Interim outcomes of education sector investments: construction of shelters, procurement of school buses, improvements to canteens, and the development of science classrooms and STEM laboratories;

– Upcoming changes for high school students starting September 1;

– Ministry decisions regarding the education of children abroad and in temporarily occupied territories;
– Updates to curriculum content and textbooks;
– Strategic priorities of the Ministry for the 2025/26 academic year.

Speakers:

– Nadiia Kuzmychova, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine

– Andrii Stashkiv, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine

– Ihor Khvorostianyi, Head of the New Ukrainian School Implementation Office at the Ministry

Accreditation is required to attend the event.

• children
• Kyiv

On May 30, the Media Center Ukraine will host a briefing “Pride month in Ukraine and the Equality March: Plans, global support, and military involvement”

Participants:

– Anna Sharyhina, Co-Founder of the Kharkiv Women’s Association Sphere NGO and PrideHub Resource Center;

– Viktor Pylypenko, Head of Ukrainian LGBT+ Military for Equal Rights NGO. 

Key topics:

– Cultural and educational programming during Pride Month in Ukraine;

– Support from government, business, and international partners;

– Ukrainian participation in international Pride events;

– Equality March: expected turnout and security planning;

– Involvement of military personnel in Pride activities;

– Organizational challenges.

• Kyiv
• LGBT

Ivan Soroka enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine after russia launched its full-scale invasion. On February 24, the military enlistment office was recruiting soldiers for the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, named after the Black Zaporozhians — the unit Ivan joined. He defended the village of Moshchun in the Kyiv oblast before his unit was redeployed to the eastern front. 

In August 2022, an enemy mine exploded just steps away from him. His comrade was killed instantly, while Ivan lost his sight. “Who needs me blind?” was Ivan’s first thought when he regained consciousness. The answer came from his fiancée, Vladyslava, whom he had met online in April 2022. She visited the wounded soldier in the hospital. The couple had hoped that Ivan’s vision would return, but it never did. In September 2023, Ivan and Vladyslava were married.

Today, Ivan is confidently adapting to his new reality and striving for independence. He launched his own blog, where he explores unusual foods and drinks. He says he has discovered a new way to “see” — through taste, sound, and touch. Last year, Ivan joined the charity foundation “Let’s See The Victory”, where he supports fellow blind veterans and others who are adjusting to life without sight.

You can speak with Ivan Soroka online or meet him in person in Kyiv by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Kyiv

Media Center Ukraine to hold a briefing on May 29: “Path to Justice: How and When putin Will Face Trial”

Participants:

– Yevheniia Kravchuk, Member of Parliament of Ukraine;

– Anton Korynevych, Ukraine’s Ambassador-at-Large and Acting Director of the Department General for International Law at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Agent of Ukraine before the International Court of Justice.

Key topics:

– The current status of the initiative to establish a special international tribunal for putin and russia’s top military and political leaders;

– Legal and political challenges in holding russia accountable for crimes against Ukraine and Ukrainians;

– Ukraine’s and international partners’ roles in advancing the tribunal proposal.

• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On May 29 the official transfer of artifacts from the russian-Ukrainian war to the War Museum’s collection will take place. The items will be personally handed over by Major Oleh Shyriaiev, commander of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a Hero of Ukraine. 

Approximately 200 objects will be added to the Museum’s collection. These include fragments of enemy UAVs, personal weapons of russian soldiers, military gear, armbands, and even medals. All artifacts were captured by Ukrainian troops during fierce battles for every inch of Ukrainian territory. These wartime trophies serve as powerful evidence of russia’s aggression. As part of the Museum’s exhibits, they will help educate future generations about the war, expose the true nature of the enemy, and honor the bravery of Ukraine’s defenders, who continue to repel the invaders with skill and courage.

During the event, Major Shyriaiev will share the origins and stories behind the transferred items. He will also speak about the unique features of the artifacts and provide insight into the combat history of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment.

Accreditation is required to attend the event.

• culture
• Kyiv

A group of students from Shpytky, a village in Bucha district, Kyiv region, is getting their hands on 3D printing to help restore their local environment. Calling themselves the Scythian team, the teenagers created a 3D printing club aimed at improving ecological conditions in their community. They plan to produce eco-bins using recycled plastic.

The students say their motivation came from witnessing the environmental impact of the war, Shpytky was on the front line during the russian invasion in 2022. The experience left the community heavily polluted, prompting the teens to take action.

Now, the team is actively collecting raw plastic materials and working hands-on with 3D printers to manufacture the eco waste tanks.

Journalists can visit the Scythian team’s workspace and cover the project by prior arrangement.

For reference: As part of the UActive program by the savED charitable foundation, teenagers from the Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Mykolaiv regions have been implementing social initiatives in communities affected by the war. The students completed a 15-week training course in project management and worked alongside mentors to develop their ideas. Through support from program partners, 10 student teams secured a total of USD 50,000 in seed funding to bring their projects to life.

A reminder: International Children’s Day is observed globally on June 1.

• children
• ecology
• Kyiv

At just 24, Yevhen Hromadskyi is a seventh-generation soldier who earned the title of Hero of Ukraine for his extraordinary courage under fire. His first battle came on the very first day of russia’s full-scale invasion, as he defended the Kharkiv region while serving in the National Guard of Ukraine.

Then a platoon commander, Hromadskyi was ordered to hold the line. Among his unit, he was the only one trained to operate a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher (RPG). When a russian convoy advanced on their position, Hromadskyi acted alone, and managed to stop it.

His father, retired colonel Oleh Hromadskyi, fought in the same battle and was killed on February 24, 2022. The loss marked a turning point for Yevhen, making the war deeply personal.

In recognition of his bravery and steadfast defense of Kharkiv, Hromadskyi was awarded the Hero of Ukraine title at the age of 21. Since then, he has seen combat in some of the most intense areas along the front line. He now aspires to rise through the ranks and one day become a general.

Currently based in Kyiv, Yevhen Hromadskyi is available for interviews with journalists, both online and in person, by prior arrangement.

• military
• Kyiv

On May 28, the Media Center Ukraine will host a presentation of the Inferno project: Exposing the brutal conditions faced by Ukrainian prisoners of war

Participants:

– Yurii Kovbasa, Representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in the Security and Defense Sector;

– Andrii Yusov, Deputy Head of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War;

– Yevheniia Synelnyk, Representative of the Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families;

– Nestor Barchuk, Representative of the International Cooperation Department, 1st Corps of the Azov National Guard;

– Tetyana Katrychenko, Executive Director of the Media Initiative for Human Rights.

For reference: Inferno is a collaborative initiative led by the Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families and the International Cooperation Department of the 1st Corps of the Azov National Guard of Ukraine. The project compiles firsthand accounts from former detainees held in notorious facilities such as Olenivka and Taganrog, as well as multiple russian detention centers. Through survivor testimonies, Inferno seeks to ensure that these war crimes are not erased from public memory and that the international community remains vigilant in demanding accountability.

• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv