Themes by tag: Kyiv

A pre-premiere screening of the documentary People of Freedom’s Color will take place on June 30 in Kyiv, followed by a discussion.

The film chronicles the non-violent resistance of Ukrainians living under russian occupation, tracing events from 2014 to the present day. It highlights the personal stories of those who stood their ground in Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Novoazovsk, Melitopol, and Kherson.

The documentary features accounts from participants in the Yellow Ribbon and Zla Mavka grassroots movements, as well as testimonies from individuals still living in occupied cities who continue to resist. Despite the risks, they paint Ukrainian flags, hang yellow and blue ribbons, distribute posters with national symbols, uphold cultural traditions, and teach others the Ukrainian language.

Following the screening, a discussion will be held with members of the creative team, individuals featured in the film, human rights advocates, and representatives of government institutions and civil society organizations.

Pre-registration is required to attend.

For reference: People of Freedom’s Color was produced by the creative team at The Locals (Tuteshni) NGO, with support from Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces and the International Renaissance Foundation.

• culture
• occupation
• Kyiv

Born in Mariupol, 22-year-old Illia Iliashenko graduated from a nautical lyceum and enlisted in the 23rd Marine Guard Detachment of Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service. From the earliest days of russia’s full-scale invasion, Illia and his comrades worked to repel enemy forces from the sea.

When his ship docked in Mariupol and the commander called for volunteers to reinforce ground positions, Illia stepped forward. He transitioned from a naval gunner to a machine gunner on land. Later, he was ordered to move to Azovstal in what became a special operation, his unit was already encircled. Illia recalls enduring “hell” on the way to the steel plant.

In May 2022, alongside other defenders of Azovstal, he was captured by russian forces after the Ukrainian military command ordered a surrender. Initially, he was held in the notorious Olenivka prison in the occupied Donetsk region and later transferred to Taganrog, russia. It was there that Illia “celebrated” his birthday, in captivity.

He spent 10 months as a prisoner of war. Illia only realized he was being exchanged when he heard Ukrainian spoken on the bus transporting him. The date was February 16, 2023.

After his release, he underwent rehabilitation and began writing a book about the defense of Mariupol. Due to health reasons, Illia was discharged from military service. He now works at the YOUkraine Hub, a support center for former POWs, where he helps fellow soldiers navigate their recovery.

Illia Iliashenko is based in Kyiv and available for interviews, online and in person, by prior arrangement.

• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv

On June 22, Kyiv will host the “Match for Heroes 2.0” charity amputee football tournament. The event will bring together veterans, Ukrainian celebrities, and business leaders to raise awareness for adaptive sports development in Ukraine and support fundraising for the Ukrainian Football Association’s “Liga Duzhykh” (League of the Strong) social project, which helps military amputees reintegrate into active life.

This year’s event will be held in the format of a tournament according to amputee football (football on crutches) rules. Four teams will compete in two semifinals, a third-place match, and a final. Each match will consist of two 20-minute halves with a 10-minute halftime break.

Over 50 amputee football players from across Ukraine will take to the field for the tournament. Ukrainian celebrities will join as goalkeepers, including Yevhen Klopotenko, Oleksandr Sydorenko (Fozzy), and others. According to amputee football rules, the goalkeeper can only play with one arm, so the other will be secured under a special corset to maintain fair play conditions.

Background: The event is co-organized by Mastercard and Oschadbank in partnership with the Ukrainian Football Association. “Match for Heroes 2.0” builds on last year’s successful initiative where amputee veterans on prosthetics first played alongside Ukrainian stars. That inaugural event raised 7.7 million UAH for sports prosthetics at Superhumans Center.

• culture
• Kyiv

The 411st Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment “Yastruby” will conduct free training at the YASTRUBY DRONE CAMP UAV pilot school in Kyiv. Starting June 23, two courses will be offered: aerial reconnaissance with Mavic drones (5-day course), and FPV drone operation (2-week course).

Civilians will learn to operate high-tech drones and master one of today’s most promising professions.

Organizers have condensed their accumulated expertise into a practical curriculum, equipping participants with team-based operational skills.

Journalists may cover the training by prior arrangement.

• Kyiv

Oleksandr Romenskyi, 29, joined Ukraine’s Defense Forces in September 2022. He was first wounded during combat operations near Kherson and hospitalized. After recovering, he returned to the front, serving in the Donetsk region. In 2023, near Bakhmut, Oleksandr suffered a traumatic head injury and multiple concussions caused by artillery fire. The damage left him struggling to see and with a stutter that made speaking difficult. But singing makes the stutter disappear.

Through intensive treatment and rehabilitation, Oleksandr slowly began to walk again. As his story gained attention, Ukrainian singer Serhii Lazanovskyi reached out, and the two eventually recorded a song together titled “Black Cloud.”

Today, Oleksandr performs on stage with Ukrainian artists, including Anna Trincher and the Kozak System. He says he doesn’t dwell on the hardships he’s endured. Instead, he’s focused on building a new life.

Currently based in Kyiv, Oleksandr is available for interviews in person or online, by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

The NGO “Live Despite Everything” invites media representatives to a community workday at the Memory Garden — a unique space dedicated to preserving the memory of soldiers who lost their lives fighting for Ukraine. The event will take place on June 22 in Kyiv.

In March 2025, 38 large trees — a gift from the Netherlands — were planted in the garden. During the workday, participants will install supports and prepare tree pits to ensure the trees root properly.

Speakers:

• Olha Zhurba, co-founder of the NGO “Live Despite Everything”, author of the Memory Garden concept, project lead, and wife of a fallen soldier;
• Olena Balzhyk, initiative coordinator, landscape designer of the Memory Garden, and head of the company TERi-TORi.

Accreditation is required to attend.

• culture
• dead
• military
• Kyiv

On September 4, 2023, Taras Kozub was injured and lost his left arm during a combat mission in the Zaporizhzhia sector. He served as a soldier in the 25th Separate Assault Battalion, which was part of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade “Magura” at the time.

Before his service, Taras worked as a craftsman, making ancient musical instruments such as the kobza, bandura, lyre, and torban, and he taught at a kobzar art school.

A recent video of Taras playing the traditional beggars’ song “There Is No Truth in the World” on the lyre has gone viral online. Taras performs the piece using a custom device attached to the shoulder of his amputated arm. He crafted the lyre himself, in 2017. Taras is also a member of the Veterans Theater.

Journalists can talk to Taras in Kyiv or online by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Kyiv

“Wake Accessible” is a powerful initiative within the One Team Forces NGO community, brought to life thanks to the skill and commitment of the STAV14 cable wakeboarding parks teams.

The project’s mission is simple but inspiring: to prove that even an extreme sport like wakeboarding can be adapted for veterans on the road to recovery.

Since launching in the summer of 2024, over 150 military personnel and veterans have had the chance to try cable wakeboarding. Currently, about 20 participants are regularly training in adaptive wakeboarding.

Training sessions take place twice a week in Kyiv. Thanks to experienced coaches and specialized adaptive equipment, individuals who have lost limbs are able to ride the waves alongside others.

Journalists interested in covering the sessions can arrange access in advance.

For reference: One Team Forces community supports military members who served before or after February 24, 2022, and who have suffered physical injuries or psychological trauma as a result of russia’s armed aggression.

STAV14 is a growing network of wakeboarding parks across Ukraine, STAV14 is a leading force in making adaptive wakeboarding accessible, not just in Kyiv but throughout the country.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Over the past year, Ukraine’s military medical commission (MMC) system has undergone a series of reforms. However, new findings from the Media Initiative for Human Rights, outlined in the report “Blind Spots of the MMC,” reveal ongoing systemic failures. 

The study highlights cases where individuals with severe illnesses, such as HIV, tuberculosis, or mental health disorders, were still declared fit for service. Meanwhile, the system lacks mechanisms for proper treatment or case tracking.

During the presentation we will discuss

• Why do MMCs routinely declare individuals fit for service?
• How does the appeals process work in theory, and why does it fail in practice?
• How do stigma, lack of treatment, and poor recordkeeping endanger not only seriously ill soldiers but also the operational capacity of their units?
• What reforms are needed to fix the MMC system?

Speakers:

– Iryna Yakovets, Co-Author of the Study, Analyst at the Media Initiative for Human Rights;

– Dmytro Samofalov, Acting Head of the Healthcare Department of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine;

– Kateryna Tsymbolynets, Head of the Patronage Service of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade, Former Combat Medic and Unit’s Chief Medical Officer;

– A Serviceman Representing a Vulnerable Patient Group.

Prior registration is required to attend the event.

• Kyiv

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) donated one of its legendary Sea Baby naval drones to the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II. This veteran drone was part of the SBU’s fleet of maritime surface drones that struck 11 russian ships and damaged the Crimean Bridge during the full-scale invasion. 

The exhibited model is a reusable drone, designed to return to base after completing its mission. 

This particular drone successfully executed multiple operations, traversing over 4,000 kilometers in the Black Sea. Notably, it engaged in a naval battle with russian aircraft in December 2024. Although the drone sustained significant damage, it completed its combat objectives and returned to base. The drone is currently not being used for its intended purpose because of the damage, so it has been fully decommissioned and transferred to the museum for public display.

• culture
• Kyiv