Themes by tag: Kyiv

In March 2026, Dhruv Boruah plans to build a bicycle in Kyiv using decommissioned weapons. He intends to ride it more than 3,300 kilometers — from the capital of Ukraine to London. Along the way, he plans to stop in Lviv, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Paris. Through this journey, he aims to demonstrate the transformation of instruments of destruction into a vehicle for peace, movement, and connection. The initiative is called “WAR TO WHEELS.”

Dhruv plans to make the bicycle electric and hopes to involve the local community in the process.

By prior arrangement, journalists can speak with Dhruv Boruah and learn more about the initiative.

He will arrive in Kyiv on February 27. The bicycle is expected to be assembled during the first week of March, and the ride from Kyiv to London is tentatively scheduled for mid-March.

For reference: Dhruv Boruah is an entrepreneur and traveler from London. He previously visited Ukraine in 2012. In the past, Dhruv built a bamboo water bicycle by hand and rode it on rivers around the world, collecting plastic waste to raise awareness about plastic pollution.

• culture
• Kyiv

Oleksandr Demchenko is a military anesthesiologist. In 2016, he volunteered for mobilization. After the start of the full-scale invasion, he became one of those who agreed to go to Azovstal, where Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol were holding the line under siege.

The team boarded a Mi-8 helicopter that flew at extremely low altitude. Later, they were transferred to a boat that successfully reached the surrounded metallurgical plant. Oleksandr recalls his work at Azovstal as a routine he managed to maintain despite extremely difficult conditions, a shortage of medicines, and constant shelling. He performed surgeries, dressings, and monitored the condition of the wounded.

In May 2022, Oleksandr and his fellow soldiers went into russian captivity. He was taken to a penal colony in Olenivka in the occupied Donetsk region, where he was held for three months. Oleksandr survived the attack carried out by russians in Olenivka, which killed more than fifty Ukrainian prisoners of war.

In September 2022, he was returned to Ukraine in a prisoner exchange. Almost immediately, Oleksandr resumed his duties and continues to serve.

Journalists can speak with Oleksandr online or offline in Kyiv by prior arrangement.

For reference: The defense of Mariupol lasted 86 days. By order of the command, Ukrainian defenders ceased resistance, left Azovstal, and surrendered into enemy captivity. On May 20, 2022, Mariupol fell under russian occupation.

• doctors
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On World Whale Day, February 19, the Kyiv Whale will light up again in the capital. It is Ukraine’s largest eco media art sculpture, created from recycled plastic collected by Kyiv schoolchildren. Its new soundtrack is an audiovisual program featuring the sounds of Kyiv’s rivers.

The main goal is to draw attention to the problem of clean water in Ukraine, which has worsened as a result of the ecocide committed by russia. The project also aims to emphasize our shared responsibility and the importance of public oversight in addressing this issue.

Journalists will have the opportunity to learn more about the project. Accreditation is required to attend the event.

For reference: As Ukraine approaches 2026, the state of its water resources is assessed as critically strained. The cumulative impact of systematic attacks on port infrastructure, tanker fleet accidents, blackouts, and the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant has led to unprecedented pollution of both marine and freshwater resources.

Scientists report more than 50,000 dead dolphins and up to 50% loss of the mussel population — natural sea filters. They have also recorded approximately 83,300 tons of heavy metals in bottom sediments following the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP, 5,000 tons of fuel oil, and a 55-kilometer sunflower oil slick in the Black Sea.

• culture
• ecology
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

HALO Ukraine invites the public to the opening of the photo exhibition “Women in Demining.” The event will begin on February 20 at one of the metro stations in Kyiv.

Twenty-nine photographs portray women in demining roles — a deminer, a diver-sapper, a drone operator. Each image tells a unique story. Twenty-two-year-old Diana Obzhelian studied Chinese at a Kyiv university and planned to become a translator. However, the full-scale invasion changed her plans: she switched to distance learning and joined HALO Ukraine as a deminer. Twenty-five-year-old Tetiana Mordach is the first and only female diver-sapper in Ukraine. Before the full-scale war, she worked as a rescue diver, and after the invasion began, she became a diver-sapper with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

The women featured in the exhibition will share their experiences, speak about their journeys, difficult decisions, fears, and motivations, as well as what gives them the strength to go to work every day.

At the opening, welcome remarks will be delivered by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Ukraine, Natalka Cmoc; HALO Ukraine Operations Manager Misha Iltsisin; and representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the National Police of Ukraine, and the Kyiv Metro.

Throughout the day, the HALO Ukraine team will also introduce visitors to the basic rules of mine safety. The training will take place in an interactive format.

Journalists are required to register for the event by 09:00 on February 20, 2026.

For reference: The project is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada and the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine. Other partners include Demine Ukraine, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the National Police of Ukraine, MAG, FSD, UDA, NPA, and UNOPS.

HALO Ukraine is the Ukrainian program of The HALO Trust, the world’s largest international humanitarian mine clearance organization. The HALO Trust has been clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance in 30 countries over the past 38 years.

HALO Ukraine has been operating in eastern Ukraine since 2016. Its mission is to save lives, return land to communities, and help move the country forward on its path to recovery. Following the full-scale invasion by russia in February 2022, the team expanded its activities and now clears land in six regions — Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Kherson. Nearly 1,400 people work in the Ukrainian team, 30% of whom are women specialists.

• women
• Kyiv
• demining

The Maidan Museum, together with its partners, has prepared a program of events dedicated to the Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes.

In particular, on February 18 a commemorative event will be held to honor those who were killed on February 18, 2014, in Mariinsky Park. A memorial service for the Heavenly Hundred will also take place that day. After the service, flowers will be laid and memorial candles will be lit near the Wall of Remembrance for those who died for Ukraine.

On February 20, a ceremonial tribute to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred and the participants of the Revolution of Dignity will be held. At the site where the largest number of peaceful protesters were killed during the Revolution of Dignity, a traditional commemoration ceremony will take place, including the laying of flowers, a prayer service, and the sounding of the Bell of Remembrance.

The annual “Angels of Memory” campaign, launched in 2014, will also be held. Anyone can join and honor the memory of the fallen by making a paper angel and placing it at a memorial location in their city.

Journalists can review the full program of events for the Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes.

For reference: On February 20, 2014, the largest number of people — 48 — were killed in the center of Ukraine’s capital. Together with another 54 participants of the peaceful protests who were killed or fatally wounded during the winter of 2013–2014, as well as five Maidan activists who died in the spring of 2014 while defending Ukraine’s democratic values and territorial integrity, they were named the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.

• dead
• Kyiv

On February 13, a press conference will take place in Kyiv to announce the first fundraising campaign aimed at the renovation and expansion of the War Museum.

The institution has set an ambitious goal — to create a modern, multifunctional museum space. The 710 m² area will house the “Museum of Military Technologies,” which have changed the course of the russia–Ukraine war, the “Museum of russian (Soviet) Propaganda,” and a mini conference hall.

A total of UAH 20 million is required, according to the project and cost documentation.

Journalists are required to register in advance.

• culture
• Kyiv

Participants:

– Kyrylo Nevdokha, Head of the DIiMO Office at the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine;

– Iryna Yeremenko, National Consultant, UNICEF Ukraine;

– Olena Shulyak, Member of Parliament of Ukraine;

– Vitaliy Bodnya, Leading Specialist, Youth Center Development Department, State Institution “All-Ukrainian Youth Center”

Key topics:

– Presentation of the guidebook “How to involve children and young people with life experience in decisions that affect them”;

– Changes at the state policy level to enable young people to influence decision-making;

– Practical examples of real youth involvement in decision-making.

• children
• Kyiv

Participants:

– Oleh Korikov, Head of Ukraine’s State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate and Chief State Inspector for Nuclear and Radiation Safety.

Key topics:

– Protection of nuclear power plants;

– Results of the work of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate for 2025 and plans for the next year.

• Kyiv

On February 12, a press conference dedicated to the Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes — commemorated annually on February 20 — will take place in Kyiv.

February 20, 2026 marks 12 years since the mass shootings of the Heavenly Hundred on the Maidan. It also marks 12 years since the beginning of russian aggression.

The National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity, together with its partners, will present this year’s program of commemorative events and a social awareness campaign.

Participants:
– Oleksandr Alfiorov, Head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory;
– Ivan Verbytskyi, Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine;
– Ihor Poshyvailo, General Director of the National Memorial Complex of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes – Museum of the Revolution of Dignity;
– Nataliia Dyhdalovych, Head of the NGO “Family of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes”;
– Anzhelika Rudnytska, Art Agency “Territory A”;
– Artem Mykolaichuk, Chairman of the Board of the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation.

Materials and the full program will be published after the press conference on the website of the National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity.

Journalists are required to register in advance.

• dead
• Kyiv

On February 14 and 15, Ukrzaliznytsia will launch Romantic Express trains for Valentine’s Day. They will traditionally operate in Kyiv and Lviv.

Tickets for the Romantic Express can be purchased via the Ukrzaliznytsia app. For military personnel, tickets are also available through the Army+ app.

The Romantic Express trains will depart twice a day. The journey will last more than two hours and will begin and end at the Central Railway Station. The train will be led by a real steam locomotive. Couples will spend their time in a brand-new luxury carriage, in a private compartment for two, accompanied by romantic music.

• culture
• Kyiv
• Lviv