Themes by tag: Kyiv
The results of the fourth environmental mission will be published in the coming days. The mission was conducted in March 2024 by “Let’s do it Ukraine” volunteers together with the Ukrainian Scientific Center of Ecology of Sea. Water and bottom sediment samples were taken from reservoirs, wells and boreholes in settlements of Mykolaiv and Kherson regions with the goal to analyze how the quality of water changed due to the explosion of the Kakhovka HPP dam.
Research results will also be used in the criminal proceedings conducted by the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor’s Office of Ukraine and the Main Investigative Department of the Security Service of Ukraine.
As reported, environmental volunteers and scientists already conducted three such missions in the South of the country. The first water samples were taken in June 2023 in Mykolaiv and Kherson regions. The next environmental mission took place in July. The first results yielded disappointing forecasts. Starting from the Dnipro River near Kherson, the content of oil products, toxic metals (zinc, cadmium, arsenic) and organic chlorine compounds exceeded safe concentration levels in the Dnipro-Buh estuary, the Black Sea near Ochakiv, and the Odesa Bay. The third environmental mission didn’t show any significant changes, as the results were just as disappointing.
Journalists have the opportunity to learn more about the findings of the previous and latest missions as well as talk with representatives of the “Let’s do it Ukraine ” movement in Kyiv. Media representatives will also have the opportunity to talk with representatives of the Ukrainian Scientific Center of Ecology of Sea in Odesa.
In addition, it is possible to obtain photos and video materials from environmental missions.
For reference: on June 6, 2023, the russian military blew up the Kakhovka HPP dam in Kherson region. This caused Ukraine losses estimated at USD 14 billion, states the report “Post Disaster Needs Assessment report of the Kakhovka Dam Disaster” by the UN and the Ukrainian government.
Throughout 2023-2024, the analytical publication Texty.org.ua examined numerous rehabilitation centers, including public, private, and volunteer-run facilities. While some have been aiding soldiers since 2014, others began operations in 2022. Despite their varied beginnings, all share a common goal: to restore the physical and mental well-being of military personnel affected by the war.
During the roundtable, Texty.org.ua journalists, who have extensively researched this topic, along with officials and public members, will discuss the priorities for state policy in military rehabilitation over the next five years and explore the contributions that private and volunteer initiatives can make in this effort.
Speakers:
- Natalia Kalmykova, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine for Social Development;
- Vasyl Strilka, Director of the Department of High-Tech Medical Care and Innovations at the Ministry of Health;
- Kseniia Voznitsyna, Chief Doctor of Lisova Poliana Veterans Mental Health and Rehabilitation Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine;
- Valeriia Pavlenko, journalist at Texty.org.ua, author of multiple series publications relating to the Anastasios and challenges the military faces during rehabilitation;
- Anastasiia Pampukha, Strategic Advisor on Policy Development and Legal Support of the Rehabilitation of War Trauma Initiative;
- Ihor Chernetskyi, head of the Center for Anti-Terrorist Operation Participants and Their Families “Bandera Skhron” (Bandera’s Cache);
- Uliana Bakh – Project Director at IREX.
Kateryna met her husband Volodymyr at KPI University. When the Maidan protests began, he felt compelled to join. In 2015, he volunteered for the front lines. A year later, during a combat mission, Volodymyr was hit by an enemy mine, losing both his legs.
The family was in Bucha at the start of the full-scale invasion. Volodymyr moved Kateryna and their 5-year-old son from their apartment to a private house. Despite his prosthetics, he eagerly joined the local defense forces, determined to protect his country.
Volodymyr died on Vokzalna Street in Bucha, a site later infamous for photos of destroyed Russian equipment. He was among the first to engage in the battle and was killed.
Kateryna and her son endured two weeks in a basement, suffering from constant darkness and running out of food and water. Finally, they ventured outside to find a car to escape the city. After hours of wandering outside in the cold temps, an elderly man picked them up. They traveled under fire for six hours in a frigid car, eventually reaching a village near Kyiv where Kateryna’s brother lived.
Journalists can arrange to speak with Kateryna in the Kyiv region for more details.
For reference: A street in Bucha has been renamed in honor of Volodymyr Kovalskyi. After his exhumation, he was reburied on the Walk of Fame and posthumously awarded the title of “Honorary Citizen of the City.”
The family is now supported by the Children of Heroes charity foundation, which aids Ukrainian children who have lost parents to the war.
On May 21, Kyiv will see the launch of the Intercity Information Train, designed to highlight real stories of human exploitation and trafficking. The initiative aims to educate the public on self-protection measures and available resources for assistance. Volunteers will be present at the station during the event to engage with passengers and passersby about modern slavery, distributing leaflets containing hotline numbers.
Even speakers:
- Alessia Schiavon, Chief of Mission at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Ukraine;
- Theodora Dell, Deputy Mission Director, United States Agency for International Development (USAID);
- Nils Dahlquist, Senior Secretary of the Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine;
- Valerii Tantsiura, Head of the Service for Children and Family Affairs of the Executive Body of the Kyiv City Council (Kyiv City State Administration);
- Oleksii Liashenko, Deputy Head of the Migration Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine.
The station event marks the start of a widespread information blitz set to roll out across public transit in 10 Ukrainian cities and aboard the Intercity train. The campaign will feature external branding on trolleybuses, trams, buses, and the Intercity locomotive, showcasing narratives on prevalent forms of exploitation, including labor, armed conflict, sexual abuse, forced begging, and survival sex.
Accreditation is mandatory! The deadline to apply for media accreditation is on May 20, 5:30 PM.
This initiative is spearheaded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in Ukraine in collaboration with the All-Ukrainian Counter-Trafficking NGO Coalition. Funding is provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Justice of Sweden.
In 2023, the IOM in Ukraine identified and aided 374 victims of human trafficking, with 23% being internally displaced persons. Additionally, 663 individuals were found to be victims of labor exploitation, lacking signs of human trafficking.
“Ukrainian Puzzles” is a social enterprise born from the idea of creating puzzles depicting objects destroyed or damaged in the war, such as the Chernihiv Youth Library, the An-225 Mriya, the Mariupol Drama Theater, and Karazin University. Symbolically piecing these puzzles together contributes to the real-life reconstruction efforts, as the net profits from Ukrainian Puzzles are allocated to restore these destroyed cultural monuments.
Founded in April 2022 by Vita Vorobchuk and Yaryna Zhurba, the company operates under the slogan “A puzzle to rebuild Ukraine.” The founders believe these puzzles offer a unique way for people worldwide to participate in Ukraine’s restoration. Additionally, the initiative aims to showcase Ukrainian culture and highlight the devastation inflicted by Russia on Ukraine’s cultural heritage.
Among the best-selling puzzles is the An-225 Mriya, the world’s largest airplane. Even President Volodymyr Zelenskyy owns one. Beyond the initial collection focused on destroyed landmarks, new series are in development, including Ukrainian Art, Discover Ukraine, and Glory to Ukraine.
Journalists interested in the initiative can arrange interviews with the founders in Lutsk, Lviv, Kyiv, or via online communication.
The “TOY THERAPY ROOM” stands as a nationwide charitable initiative established by a collective within the NGO The National Genofund amidst the full-scale invasion. Its primary aim is to mitigate the trauma endured by both children and adults impacted by Russia’s invasion, achieved through the application of puppetry and play therapy techniques.
The TOY THERAPY ROOM offers a carefully designed environment where children and adults can navigate their emotions in a healthy and supportive manner. Within these spaces, carefully curated by dedicated hosts, individuals can explore their feelings, replenish their inner strength, and nurture a sense of confidence in their own abilities and desires. Central to the experience are the hundreds of soft toys that inhabit each room. These toys serve not only as companions but also as conduits for understanding and healing. Participants are encouraged to select a toy at the outset of their session, which then becomes a steadfast ally throughout their journey. Beyond the confines of the therapy room, this toy becomes a transitional object through which psychologists gain insights into the person’s condition and provide assistance.
Today, the TOY THERAPY ROOM initiative boasts over 70 locations across Ukraine, extending its reach even beyond national borders to countries like Germany and Bulgaria. Spearheaded by Victoriia Nazarevich, a seasoned psychologist and the driving force behind the Nazarevich-Art psychology training portal, the project maintains a team of dedicated professionals comprising psychologists and art therapists.
For journalists seeking insight into this transformative endeavor, opportunities for interviews with project representatives and participants are available in Kyiv and other cities by prior arrangement. Additionally, online communication channels offer convenient access for those unable to attend in person.
Oleksandr Romenskyi, 28, enlisted in the Defense Forces in September 2022. He was initially hospitalized following combat near Kherson. After recuperating, he resumed fighting in the Donetsk region. In 2023, near Bakhmut, he sustained a severe head injury and multiple contusions from artillery fire. Following extensive treatment and rehabilitation, Oleksandr has begun relearning to walk. The injuries almost cost him his eyesight and resulted in a stutter, although his stutter vanishes when he sings. Ukrainian singer Serhii Lazanovskyi, moved by Oleksandr’s story, collaborated with him to record the song “Black Cloud.” The proceeds support the recovery efforts of Oleksandr and his fellow soldiers. Oleksandr continues his treatment and awaits eye surgery.
For reference: Oleksandr Romenskyi is currently in Kyiv and available for interviews with journalists, both online and in-person, by prior arrangement.
The Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families and the Animalism by UAnimals Shop have launched a unique clothing collection—animals waiting for their owners’ release from captivity series. Two years ago, following orders, Mariupol’s defenders left the Azovstal plant, and most have been held captive since. The entire country, along with their Ukrainian fighter’s families, friends, and pets, eagerly awaits the return of these heroes.
The Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families partnered with the Animalism by UAnimals store for this collection. Kateryna Prokopenko, head of the Association and wife of soldier Denys “Redis” Prokopenko, created the drawings. A talented illustrator designed a series, inspired by real animals waiting for their pet parents to come home freed from captivity.
For example, Chiara the female pit bull eagerly awaits Taras during his walks, always excited to see someone who resembles her owner from a distance. Oleksandr constantly carried his cat Marta in his arms, and before the full-scale invasion, he dreamed of taking her to a military base. Rem, the dog, enjoyed walking in the woods with his friend Serhii, but he became highly stressed by the noise of explosions after the invasion began. Sadly, Rem passed away before Serhiy was released from captivity. There are similar stories about other animals.
All proceeds from the T-shirt sales will go to the UAnimals humanitarian movement, which rescues animals affected by the war.
For reference: Denys Prokopenko, known by his call sign “Redis,” is a colonel and the commander of the 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov” of the National Guard of Ukraine. A participant in the Russia-Ukraine war and a Hero of Ukraine, Prokopenko was captured by Russian forces in May 2022 after leaving the Azovstal plant in Mariupol. At that time, the highest military command had ordered the city’s defense to cease to save the soldiers’ lives. He was released from captivity in September 2022.
The defense of Mariupol lasted 86 days and concluded on May 20, 2022.
The Grandma’s Hares project was launched three years ago by the Nasha Peremoga (Our Victory) Charitable Fund, which supports the elderly. This initiative aims to foster intergenerational communication by having participants, aged 60 and older, create hares from socks following a specific pattern. These soft toys are given to children in stressful situations, those who have suffered violence, or witnessed traumatic events. Police officers use these comforting toys to establish contact with or calm the children. For instance, the first doll hare was given to a young child who got lost and was found by the juvenile police.
Since the outbreak of the full-blown war, these toy hares have aided police officers in working with children affected by the warfare, including those who have lost parents or endured occupation. They are also distributed to children in shelters and hospitals. Additionally, hares in reflective vests have been used to teach preschoolers about traffic rules. During the winter blackouts, they provided comfort at the Points of Invincibility.
In May 2023, the elderly women crafted a special batch of brightly colored hares at the request of the White Angel unit of the National Police of Ukraine, which is responsible for evacuating children from the war zone.
Since the project’s inception, volunteer craftswomen from Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi, Lutsk, Ternopil, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv regions have produced over 1,000 handmade doll hares, which have been distributed to the police. These toys are now used by Ukraine’s Juvenile Police across 19 regions and by the White Angel evacuation teams.
Journalists can arrange interviews with the project participants and organizers in Kyiv or other cities, and online communication is also available.
For reference: The practice of distributing Trauma Teddies to police is common in the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, the Netherlands, and Germany.
On May 21, the Gongadze Prize awards ceremony will take place in Kyiv, as this is the day when the name of this year’s winner of the award will be announced. As reported, the short list includes journalists Anna Babinets, Olga Rudenko and Tetiana Troshchynska.
– Anna Babinets is an investigative journalist and Head of Slidstvo.Info independent investigative agency, which she founded in 2012. Regional editor of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) network of investigators. In 2014, together with her colleagues, she founded the YanukovychLeaks initiative. Co-author of the Panama Papers international project, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting in 2017.
– Olga Rudenko is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of The Kyiv Independent. In 2016, she became an editor at the Kyiv Post and was published in a number of leading international publications. In 2021, the new owner of Kyiv Post suspended the media outlet. Therefore, the journalists launched The Kyiv Independent – the leading English-language publication about Ukraine. In 2022, TIME editors recognized Olga Rudenko as a leader of the next generation.
– Tetiana Troshchynska is Director of the Department for Strategic Analysis and Development of Socially Influential Content at Suspilne, Producer of the socio-political talk show “Noviy Vidlik” (New Countdown), a journalist at “Hromadske Radio”, a host at “Culture” Radio. From 2018 to 2024, she was the editor-in-chief of “Hromadske Radio.” She also hosted linear broadcasts and her own programs “Love Does Not Fade”, “40 is the new 20”, “We Have Agreed On Everything” and “Tailed wave.” In addition, Tetiana is developing and conducting training on strategic and crisis communication and conflict management, as well as on the improvement of communication and media skills. Finalist of the Gongadze Prize-2022.
During the event, colleagues and relatives of media workers who died as a result of russian aggression over the past year, will deliver speeches to honor the deceased media workers.
“Pyrig i Batig” band will perform at the awards ceremony.
Prior registration of journalists is mandatory.
The online broadcast will be held on the Facebook pages of the Gongadze Prize, PEN Ukraine, Kyiv-Mohyla Business School, and Ukrainian Pravda, as well as on the Gongadze Prize and Pershyi YouTube channels.
For reference: The Gongadze Prize is a major award for professional journalists in Ukraine. It was founded in 2019 by PEN Ukraine in partnership with the family of George Gongadze, the Kyiv-Mohyla Business School and “Ukrainian Pravda” media outlet.
