Themes by tag: Kyiv

Peaceful rallies will take place in 26 cities across Ukraine on November 23-24 to raise awareness about the plight of Azovstal defenders and other military personnel still held in enemy captivity. The events aim to remind the nation and the world of the ongoing struggle faced by prisoners of war and the missing.

On November 23, rallies will be held in Okhtyrka, Pivdennoukrainsk, Pavlohrad, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Irpin, Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Obukhiv, and Zaporizhia. The following day, November 24, similar actions are planned in Kyiv, Pivdennoukrainsk, Mykolaiv, Uman, Cherkasy, Poltava, Uzhhorod, Korosten, Obukhiv, Brovary, Krolevets, Ovruch, Korostyshiv, Kovel, Kryvyi Rih, Ternopil, Kremenchuk, Odesa, Ostroh, and Chernivtsi.

These events are spearheaded by the families of prisoners of war from the Mariupol garrison, with participation from Ukrainians who have been released from captivity. Their collective message seeks to emphasize the urgent need to secure the freedom of those still detained and highlight the resilience of Ukraine’s defenders.

• casualties
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On November 29, in Kyiv, the Ukrainian-Israeli volunteer medical mission “FRIDA Ukraine” will hold a blood drive to address various medical needs.

In order to meet the demand for blood, there should be 40 donors per 1,000 people. Currently, this number is less than 20 in Ukraine. The lack of donor blood results in postponed surgeries, deaths of accident victims, and the inability of cancer patients to undergo treatment. By donating blood, donors give these people a chance to live.

For reference: FRIDA Ukraine is a non-governmental, non-profit, charitable mission of volunteer doctors from Ukraine and Israel. Since the beginning of the invasion, the mission has been providing emergency and outpatient medical care to civilians affected by the hostilities.

• doctors
• volunteers
• Kyiv

On November 22, the Media Center of Ukraine will hold a press conference “Map of Valor and Memories: Honoring Ukraine’s Heritage”

Ukraine lacks prominent landmarks of national heroism and memorials marking significant achievements. Moreover, these historical sites remain largely unknown, as the roads leading to them are often not even paved.

The heroization of a nation and its people is an essential part of social development and education of younger generations. To address this need, NGO Ukraine Incognita, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has created a comprehensive map of valor and memory. The initiative also includes the installation of informative stands at key locations to preserve and celebrate this heritage.

Participants: 

 – Roman Malenkov, Chairman of the Board, “Ukraine Incognita” NGO; 

 – Maksym Plakhotnyi, Executive Director of “Ukraine Incognita” NGO; 

 – Andriy Yarovyi, Technical Director of “Ukraine Incognita” NGO; 

 – Andrii Kobylianskyi, historian (online)

• culture
• Kyiv

Mariia Aleksieievych is the wife of Serhii Aleksieievych, a fighter of the Azov Brigade, which defended Mariupol from the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion until 16 May 2022. On that day, Serhii and his comrades left Azovstal on orders from their superiors and were captured by russians.

For more than two years, Mariia worked tirelessly to bring her beloved and other prisoners home. During this time, she traveled to Austria to attend an OSCE meeting on the Olenivka terrorist attack, met with Ukrainian officials, and attended weekly rallies dedicated to the defenders of Azovstal. On 18 October 2024, Serhii Aleksieievych returned to Ukraine as part of a prisoner exchange.

Mariia says she had a strong feeling that her beloved would finally come home that day. At 10.20 pm, she received a call from the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War with the long-awaited news. A few hours later, Serhii himself called her. Mariia says she still cannot believe it is not a dream and that her husband has really returned from captivity.

Serhii is currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation.

Serhii Aleksieievych is not yet ready for interviews. However, Mariia Aleksieievych is available to talk about her experiences, her work with Olenivka Community NGO and the emotional reunion with her husband after his captivity – online or in person in Kyiv or Vinnytsia by prior arrangement.

• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• women
• Kyiv
• Vinnytsia

On November 21 the Media Center Ukraine will hold a press conference: “russia’s Information Warfare Against the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria”.

Topics of focus:

– Mechanisms of influence of russian special services on journalists and bloggers;

– The policy of “denazification” through the media space;

– The role of Chechen and russian opposition journalists and bloggers in addressing the occupation of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.

Participants: 

– Akhmed Zakayev, Prime Minister of the Government-in-Exile of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria’s (online);

– Olena Sydorenko, Honorary Consul of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in Ukraine;

– Adam Mamut, General Representative of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in Ukraine;

– Rodion Krasnovyd, Public Relations Service, Ministry of Defense, Chechen Republic of Ichkeria;

– Inna Kurochkina, Special Representative of the Prime Minister of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria for Special Assignments (online). 

Background:

For years, the Ministry of Defense of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria has been analyzing the impact of hostile disinformation on media platforms, both in occupied Ichkeria and abroad. This initiative aims to share crucial insights and effective strategies with Ukrainian and international media professionals, fostering resilience against russian propaganda within the Ukrainian information space.

• Kyiv

The media are invited to participate in the events of the exhibition “We Cannot Be Defeated” dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Orange Revolution. The exhibition will be opened on November 22 in Kyiv with the participation of the third President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko.

On November 22, there will also be a discussion with key figures of these historic events: the third President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko, the “Voice of Maidan”, the People’s Artist of Ukraine Yevhen Nyshchuk, the historian Oleksandr Zinchenko, the singer Maria Burmaka, and the General Director of the Maidan Museum Ihor Poshyvailo.

The discussion will take place in the main hall of the Ukrainian House, within the thematic exhibition space. Visitors will have the opportunity to relive the most vivid moments of the Orange Revolution, see artifacts from the Maidan Museum collection, and share their own thoughts and memories.

On November 23, journalists are invited to a public interview with Viktor Yushchenko called “A Conversation of Generations”. This event will highlight the perspectives of different generations on one of the key events in Ukraine’s modern history, the Orange Revolution.

Accreditation is required for this event. 

Background:

The Orange Revolution was a series of protests by Ukrainian citizens sparked by massive fraud in the 2004 presidential election that favored government-backed candidate Viktor Yanukovych. The events were named after the color used by supporters of presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko and the opposition party Our Ukraine. (The Orange Revolution began in November 2004).

• culture
• Kyiv

On November 20, the Media Center Ukraine will hold the event “Childhood in Captivity: How to Protect the Rights of Children in the Occupied Territories”.

Topics for discussion:

– What is the current state of children’s rights in the occupied territories?

– What is it like to grow up under occupation?

– What are the challenges of monitoring violations of children’s rights in the occupied territories?

– What can Ukrainian and international institutions do to protect children’s rights in the occupied  territories?

– What are the prospects for bringing to justice those involved in crimes against children under occupation?

Participants:

– Mariia Sulialina, Director of the Almenda Center for Civic Education;

– Ilias Sheikhisliamov, son of a political prisoner, public figure, member of the NGO “Crimean Tatars of Odesa Region”;

– Noel Calhoun, Deputy Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine;

– Arman Akopian – Deputy Director of the Department and Head of the Unit for Children in Wartime, Department for Monitoring the Observance of Children’s Rights at the Secretariat of the Human Rights Commissioner of the Parliament of Ukraine;

– Yulia Usenko, Head of the Department for the Protection of Children’s Rights and Combating Domestic Violence of the Prosecutor General’s Office;

Background: November 20 marks the 35th anniversary of the signing of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The adoption of this document was an important step in ensuring fundamental rights for every child. In particular, Article 29 states that a child’s education should be aimed at fostering respect for the child’s parents, cultural identity, language and national values of the country in which the child lives and the country of origin.

Despite the fact that the russian federation has ratified the Convention, thus committing itself to comply with its provisions and ensure children’s rights in accordance with international standards, russia systematically violates children’s rights. Children living in the occupied territories are in a particularly vulnerable situation, as they are victims of targeted indoctrination, militarization and erasure of identity.

• children
• occupation
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On November 20, the Media Center Ukraine will hold a press conference and presentation of the “Moscow Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War”. The event will present an alternative version of the Geneva Conventions: the “Moscow Conventions,” which are structurally similar to the original, but describe completely different norms, such as killing, torture, electric shocks, beatings, lack of medical care, and inhumane detention conditions.

Participants:

– Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights;

– Oleh Hushchyn, representative of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War;

– Yevheniia Synelnyk, representative of the Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families;

– Tetiana Katrychenko, Executive Director of the Media Initiative for Human Rights;

– Yuliia “Taira” Paievska, liberated paramedic and volunteer (online).

Registration is required for this event.

• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

russia has illicitly abducted more than 20,000 Ukrainian children since the start of its full-blown war, with another 1.5 million at risk of deportation from temporarily occupied territories. Many of these children have had their personal data altered, making it nearly impossible for their families or homeland to locate and reclaim them.  

Save Ukraine, a non-governmental organization, has been at the forefront of efforts to bring Ukrainian children home. Through carefully coordinated and regular rescue operations, the organization has successfully returned 538 children to date.  

Journalists are invited to reach out to Save Ukraine for comments and further insights into their ongoing efforts.  

• children
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Orange Revolution and the 11th anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity.  The program includes exhibitions, thematic tours, public discussions, and a meeting series titled Evolution of Revolutions. A key highlight is the academic forum Revolution of Dignity: Towards History Dates – 2024, hosted by the National Memorial Complex of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes – Museum of the Revolution of Dignity.  

On November 21, an interfaith prayer for Ukraine and its freedom fighters will be held, followed by the ringing of the Dignity Bell and a ceremony to honor fallen defenders. Flowers will be laid, and candles will be lit at the portraits of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes.  

The events will be broadcast live on the Maidan Museum’s Facebook page.  

The initiative is organized by the National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity and Kyiv Three Saints Theological Seminary of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, with support from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyiv City State Administration, and the NGO Families of the Heavenly Hundred.  

For reference: The Dignity and Freedom Day commemorates the anniversaries of two pivotal moments in Ukraine’s history: the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity in 2013.

• culture
• Kyiv