Themes by tag: Kyiv

A new hub for the military freed from captivity has been inaugurated in Kyiv. The brainchild of Mariupol’s defenders, the “YOUkraine hub” serves as a haven for safe communication, mutual assistance, and rehabilitation, made possible by the YOUkraine charitable foundation.

Operating under the ethos of “our own for our own,” the hub recognizes the unique challenges faced by former prisoners of war upon their return. From physical rehabilitation to social reintegration amidst wartime conditions, along with legal and domestic matters, the hub aims to provide comprehensive support to these returning defenders.

Key services offered include legal and psychological aid, as well as social support tailored to the needs of the soldiers. 

Valeriia “Nava” Subotina, an Azovstal defender, journalist, and poet has been appointed as the director of the YOUkraine hub.

For reference: A recent prisoner exchange on February 8th, brought back to Ukraine 100 defenders being kept in Russian custody. Among those exchanged the majority were defenders of Azovstal. Since the full-scale invasion outbreak, a total of 3,135 Ukrainian defenders have been liberated from Russian captivity.

• prisoners
• Kyiv

Ukrzaliznytsia is set to roll out the “Train to You” for the second time on February 14, 16, and 18, aligning with Valentine’s Day and Unity Day celebrations. This year, the romantic trains will not only grace the tracks of Kyiv but will also make their way through Lviv.

Passengers aboard these special journeys will be treated to an enchanting experience in cozy compartments designed for two, serenaded by romantic melodies, all while being pulled by an authentic steam locomotive. To enhance the ambiance, passengers will have the option to indulge in a special menu crafted by renowned Ukrainian chef Yevhen Klopotenko. 

Half of the seats have been reserved free of charge for wounded soldiers undergoing rehabilitation, providing them an opportunity to share precious moments with their loved ones. 

Adding to the charm, defenders of Ukraine will receive an additional poetic surprise courtesy of writer Serhiy Zhadan. 

With a travel time of just over 2 hours, these journeys promise to be a delightful escape for passengers bound for Kyiv and Lviv.

• Kyiv
• Lviv

On February 13, the Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform will hold a press conference presenting this year’s program of events and social campaign dedicated to the Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes, marked on February 20.

Participants:

– Rostyslav Karandieiev, acting First Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Policy;

– Ihor Hordiichuk, Major General of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Hero of Ukraine, Deputy Head of the National Defense University of Ukraine;

– Volodymyr Tylishchak, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance;

– Ihor Poshyvailo, General Director at the National Memorial Complex of Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred — Museum of the Revolution of Dignity.

The event is held offline. Journalists will be able to ask questions.

For reference: On February 20 this year, Ukraine will commemorate the Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes for the tenth time. The Maidan massacre that took place on February 20, 2014, claimed the lives of the largest number of protesters — 48 casualties in the center of Kyiv. They, along with 54 others gunned down and fatally wounded participants of peaceful protests during the winter of 2013-2014 and five Maidan uprising activists who died in the spring of 2014 defending democratic values and the territorial integrity of Ukraine, became known as the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.

• dead
• Kyiv

Bucha Lyceum No. 3 roof outfitted with hybrid solar panels, to be officially opened on February 15. A roof converted into a solar powerhouse of 47 solar panels with a total generation capacity of 20 kW will allow the school to operate autonomously from grids for 3 hours in case when power fails as well as deliver benefits valued at about 2100 euros per year, meeting up to 30% of the total electricity needs.

The solar array was installed on the rooftop of educational institutions as part of the “100 Solar Schools” campaign by the Energy Act For Ukraine Foundation. 

Event registration is required. 

Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation is a Ukrainian charity organization established in 2022 in response to the emerging energy poverty crisis in Ukraine, a consequence of the full-scale Russian invasion. The foundation primarily focuses on providing schools and hospitals with solar solutions. 

For reference: the Kyiv suburb of Bucha was under Russian occupation for more than a month. The Bucha Lyceum No. 3 served as the enemy headquarters station. The educational institution was damaged as a result of hostilities. The Russian forces were ousted by AFU from the city on March 31, 2022.

• occupation
• reconstruction
• Kyiv

In the summer of 2022, Kyiv-based engineer Vladyslav founded the Friends of Borysthenes association, which brought together people willing to work from home to bring Ukraine’s victory closer. (Borysfen is the name of Vladyslav’s dog, whose picture the activist used in the logo for the volunteer initiative). At that time, Vladyslav was working from home: he designed factories for European customers in 3D and put in a lot of overtime. He assumed that there are many similar people who work from home and have a few hours a day to spare and the necessary skills to help the military. He found most of those willing to join the volunteer initiative through Twitter (now X). Over time, the Friends of Borysthenes developed into a network of engineers throughout Ukraine who manufacture power banks out of batteries from disposable e-cigarettes. They also make charging stations.

In addition, engineers repair and donate old laptops, tablets and phones to the military.

Power banks cases are 3D printed. By the way, one of these 3D printers was once given to Vladyslav by a woman from a village in Kyiv region that had been under occupation. Power banks made by volunteers are 5-10 times cheaper than their factory counterparts.

For reference: During the entire period of work, as of January 2024, volunteers have already handed over 1,050 power banks, about 15 charging stations that they produced themselves, as well as over 150 mobile phones and dozens of laptops to the army.

• volunteers
• Kyiv

Colonel Monte and Colonel Chuck from the U.S. call themselves the “Traveling Colonels.” They are retired US Marine Corps officers, both are Iraq War veterans. The men help Ukraine: they bring medical and other supplies purchased, in particular, with funds donated by U.S. citizens. All this is transferred to the Ukrainian military at the front. For example, in October 2023, in just one week, Monte and Chuck, together with volunteers from Ukraine, Canada and the U.S., prepared and packed 1,167 IFAKS (NATO standard Individual First Aid Kit) and 16 medical bags in Kyiv. In addition, colonels help civilians with medicines.

Colonel Monte is currently volunteering in Ukraine with ex-servicemen Dave (Navy Captain), Steve and David. They are assembling first aid kits for Ukrainian soldiers and medical boxes of supplies.

Colonel Chuck will arrive a little later to coordinate the unloading of a shipping container with medical supplies for the hospital.

Journalists have the opportunity to talk with the “Traveling Colonels” in the capital.

• volunteers
• Kyiv

Katrin Zabotkina began learning sign language at the age of 16. As a teenager, Katrin was struck by how a boy with hearing impairments adapted a participant’s song during one of the talent contests. This prompted Katrin to study sign language. She looked for various video lessons, constantly learned new gestures and revised them thousands of times in front of the mirror to improve her skills.

Katrin learned to adapt songs for people with hearing impairment. And in the end, she became the first to provide sign language interpretation for the Ukrainian National Selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. Katrin spent two days on adapting each of the songs, because she wanted to preserve the meaning of the song, emphasize main musical instruments, work out facial expressions, rhythm, mood and emotions of the piece. The sign language singer plans to continue adapting songs for people with hearing impairment.

• women
• Kyiv

On February 10, the International Charitable Foundation savED will showcase the “War and Education. Two years of full-scale invasion” research results conducted together with the Vox Populi research agency supported by the U-LEAD with Europe Program.

This study points out the opinions of students, their parents, teachers, representatives of school administrations, and local authorities regarding the problems and challenges that communities face in planning and executing the learning process during a full-scale war.

The program features:

• Presentation of the study. The main survey results will be presented by Olenka Severenchuk, Director of savED.
• Panel discussion “How Communities are Surmounting the Challenges of War?”

Panelists:

• Oksen Lisovyi, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine
• Viacheslav Zadorenko, Head of Derhachi City Military Administration (Kharkiv Region)
• Serhii Peresunko, Head of Shyroke City Territorial Community (Mykolaiv Oblast) 
• Lidiia Koliesnik, Head of Department for Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports, Apostolove City Council (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast) 
• Vitalii Selyk, Director and Co-Founder of Smilyvi Foundation
• Volodymyr Kliutsevskyi, Deputy Head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration

Moderator – Anna Novosad, Co-founder of the savED Charitable Foundation, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine (2019-2020).

Event registration is required. 

• Kyiv

On February 6, a pilot project to train women who want to attain an electrician career to be started in Kyiv. The course attendees will learn the basics of electrical installation (laying electrical wiring, installing and repairing sockets, switches); learn principles and practices of electrical equipment maintenance, etc.

The online and offline classes for practical electrical training programs are available to gain work experience using the appropriate equipment. The women in difficult life circumstances (IDPs, women who have lost their jobs, women whose husbands are mobilized, single mothers) were selected for the apprenticeship program. In total, there are 18 apprentices in the project.

As a reminder, Ukraine’s first driving courses for women facing difficulties due to the war was launched in Kyiv in September 2023. 

• women
• Kyiv

Olha had been working as a military psychologist from 2014 to 2018 when she resigned from service and together with her team started the Veteran Hub (a space that provides support to war veterans and their loved ones).

At the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Olha joined the ranks of the patrol police (just when the enemy was breaking through to the capital). Later, together with the police, she went to the territories of the Kyiv region liberated by the Ukrainian military, and helped local residents. And already in the summer of 2022, she joined the ranks of the Armed Forces, where she continues to work as a military psychologist. Olha was in Bakhmut and in the Zaporizhia sector. For now, she is in the capital.

Olha provides a full cycle of psychological support: selection, training, support during combat missions, crisis assistance, etc.

For reference: February 24, 2024 marks 2 years since the beginning of russia’s illegal full-scale invasion. The attack marked the culmination of the war of aggression, which the russian federation had been waging against Ukraine for 10 years at that point. This war began on February 20, 2014 when the russians invaded the territory of the Ukrainian Crimea without identification marks and occupied the peninsula. After that, russia started a war in the East of Ukraine. 

• military
• psychological support
• women
• Kyiv