Themes by tag: Kyiv

Ivan Soroka joined the ranks of the defense forces at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. On February 24, the military draft office was recruiting soldiers for the 72nd separate mechanized brigade, named after the Black Zaporozhians — and Ivan joined them. He defended the village of Moshchun in the Kyiv oblast, and later his unit was sent to the East. In August 2022, an enemy mine exploded just a few steps away from him.

His comrade was killed instantly, while Ivan lost his sight. “Who would ever need me blind?” was the first thought that crossed his mind when he regained consciousness. His fiancée, Vladyslava, whom he met online in April 2022, answered that question for him. She visited him in the hospital during his recovery, hoping along with Ivan that his sight would return, but it never did. In September 2023, Ivan and Vladyslava got married.

Journalists can arrange to speak with Ivan Soroka online or in person in Kyiv.

• casualties
• military
• women
• Kyiv

Viktoriia Synytska-Kutsenko has been behind the wheel for years. Before the full-scale invasion, she participated in rally racing and drifting. In 2024, she graduated from the “Reskilling Ukraine” program, which offered women the opportunity to train as professional truck drivers. Today, Viktoriia is already working in her new field.

She recalls that during one of her trips, Polish border guards were surprised to see a woman driving a truck and asked her if she wasn’t afraid to handle such a massive vehicle.

Journalists can speak with Viktoriia in Kyiv, by prior arrangement.

Background: Reskilling Ukraine is a project of the Swedish non-profit organization Beredskapslyftet, implemented in Ukraine. It focuses on free training programs for women and veterans, helping them to start new careers in different fields.

• women
• Kyiv

Liudmyla is 77 years old, a trained anesthetist and resuscitator. When russia launched its full-scale invasion, she stepped in to help treat wounded civilians in occupied Hostomel, Kyiv oblast (two people had shrapnel wounds). With no medical instruments available at the local clinic, she had to sew up wounds with an ordinary sewing needle and thread.

Today, Liudmyla continues to support Ukraine’s defense by weaving camouflage nets with a group of local women volunteers known as “Chervona Kalyna”. She dedicates herself to volunteering almost every day.

Journalists can speak with Liudmyla in the Kyiv oblast.

Background: February 24, 2025 will mark the third anniversary of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

• casualties
• occupation
• volunteers
• women
• Kyiv

On February 23, an international charity race will take place to mark the third anniversary of the full-blown war and raise funds for the children who lost one or both parents due to the russian invasion of Ukraine. The goal is to raise 50,000 EUR to provide psychological support for children who have lost their parents to the war.

The event will be held in several cities, including Kyiv, Amsterdam, Warsaw, Krakow, Porto, Rotterdam, Stockholm, and Funchal.

For reference: The event is organized by the Ukrainian Running Club and the Children of Heroes Foundation.

• children
• Kyiv

The Doctors for Heroes charity project is dedicated to helping both military personnel and civilians by performing facial and head reconstructive surgeries following severe injuries. To date, the initiative has enrolled 240 soldiers and two civilians in its program.

Through a collaboration of surgeons and bioengineers, all medical services are provided free of charge to patients. However, the reconstruction of lost skull bones requires the creation of specialized implants. The Doctors for Heroes Charity Foundation funds the production of these implants for each participant. It raises donations from philanthropists, organizes case support throughout treatment, and ensures that funds are used responsibly and effectively.

The project is also expanding into the field of eye prosthetics and ecto prosthetics.

By prior arrangement, journalists are welcome to speak with the project’s organizers, doctors, and patients in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine.

• casualties
• doctors
• military
• 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