Themes by tag: Kyiv

Hailing from Mariupol, 21-year-old Illia, attended a maritime lyceum before enlisting in the 23rd Sea Guard Detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. As the all-out invasion loomed, Illia and his fellow servicemen valiantly defended against the enemy’s incursion from the sea. During a pivotal moment when his vessel docked in Mariupol, Illia eagerly volunteered to reinforce the frontline positions. Transitioning from a marine machine to a machine gunner on land, Illia showcased his adaptability and commitment to his duty. Subsequently, he received orders to deploy to Azovstal, where he found himself ensnared in a harrowing special operation, trapped within encircling enemy forces. In May 2022, Illia, alongside other defenders of Azovstal, was captured by the enemy following a strategic decision to surrender per the directives of Ukrainian military leadership. Initially detained in the infamous Olenivka facility in Donetsk, Illia was subsequently transferred to Taganrog in Russia, where he “celebrated” his birthday under captivity. Enduring 10 grueling months in enemy hands, Illia’s hope flickered to life upon hearing Ukrainian spoken among fellow prisoners during a bus transport on February 16, 2023, signaling his imminent release as part of a prisoner exchange. Following his liberation, Illia embarked on a journey of rehabilitation while concurrently penning a memoir chronicling the defense of Mariupol.

For reference: Illia Iliashenko is currently available for interviews in Kyiv, extending his willingness to engage with journalists both online and offline with prior arrangement.

• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv

Enemy Grad MLRS rockets struck Vadym Zherdetskyi’s home in Moshchun, Kyiv region, not once, but twice during the onset of the full-scale invasion. Despite the peril, he bravely rescued his granddaughter from the engulfing flames. Vadym also extended aid to fellow villagers, supplying essential provisions, and fuel, and coordinating the evacuation of hundreds.

Today, Vadym has applied for assistance through a housing reconstruction program to address the devastation wrought upon his home. He has since transitioned to a role in public service. Access to an interview with Vadym requires clearance from the Kyiv Oblast Military Administration.

For reference: Fast forward to April 2, 2022, when Ukraine regained full control over the Kyiv region from Russian occupation, followed by the Chernihiv region liberation by April 6, 2022. By April 11, 2022, then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, proudly announced retaking the state border in the Sumy region.

• casualties
• occupation
• Kyiv

The Kyiv Regional Mental Health Center was captured by the occupiers at the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The russian military lived in the facility and stole valuable equipment from the center, which was badly damaged.

After the de-occupation, the restoration of the medical facility began: in particular, a medical and psychological rehabilitation department was opened at the end of last year. It was created on the basis of one of the branches of the center, which suffered the most during the full-scale invasion. Here, the experts will help military personnel, their relatives and civilians who suffered from the aggression of the russian federation. In total, more than 20 types of rehabilitation services will be provided to patients, including those making use of VR glasses.

Recently, Dobrobat volunteers worked in one of the center’s departments: they removed all the flooring, dismantled old doors and door frames. Thus, they prepared the place for further high-quality restoration works.

Journalists can learn more about the operation and restoration of the center, hold interviews with the management of the institution, talk with doctors and, if possible, patients.

For reference: Kyiv Regional Mental Health Center is a specialized medical institution that provides qualified inpatient medical examination, treatment and both social and labor rehabilitation for patients with mental disorders.

• casualties
• doctors
• reconstruction
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On March 15, Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform will hold a press conference: entitled “Captured mercenaries from Global South countries. What should governments do to prevent their citizens from dying in someone else’s war?”

After suffering significant losses, russia’s forced mobilization campaign and contracting prisoners is running out of steam. russia needs soldiers, whose time in service at the front is measured not in days, but in hours. Therefore, the aggressor country has actively encouraged the influx of citizens coming from countries with a difficult economic situation.

Participants:

– Petro Yatsenko, representative of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War;

– Vitalii Matviienko, Spokesman for the state-run project “I Want to Live” for servicemen willing to surrender to Ukraine;

Pre-registration is required.

• prisoners
• Kyiv

On March 18, Kyiv will host the “Women Leaders Forum” – a forum of women leaders uniting for the sake of the future. The event is devoted to the discussion of key topics related to the role of women in the society, business, politics and science. The program includes 3 panel discussions:

• “National unity” – preservation of national identity, development of civil society and expansion of partnership between Ukraine and democratic countries, reintegration of temporarily occupied territories.
• “Regions and reconstruction” – development of regional policy and post-war reconstruction.
• “Synergy of education, business and society” – the development of education and values of equality among young people through the cooperation between universities, business and NGOs.

Invited guests of the forum include:

• Olha Budnik – President’s Commissioner for the Foundation of the President of Ukraine for the Support of Education, Science and Sports;
• Lesia Zaburonna – People’s Deputy of Ukraine;
• Tamila Tasheva – a Ukrainian Crimean Tatar human rights activist, public figure, volunteer. Co-founder of CrimeaSOS NGO;
• Tetiana Kahanovska – Rector of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University;
• Lilia Pashynna – Deputy of the Kyiv City Council, adviser to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine
• Nataliia Kryvda – Head of the Supervisory Board of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation;
• Yevheniia Kuleba – Deputy of the Kyiv City Council, Founder and Chair of Misto-Sad NGO;
• Anna Gres – owner of Shovkova brand, actress. 

• women
• Kyiv

Oleksii Surovtsev is a Ukrainian actor. At the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion, he responded to a request to save a cat in Irpin, Kyiv region, which is where hostilities with the russian occupiers were taking place. After that people began actively asking Oleksii to save their pets (cats, dogs, parrots, chinchillas, guinea pigs). Despite all the risks, Oleksii evacuated the animals. In total, he was able to bring more than 300 pets out of Irpin.

After the Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated Kyiv oblast from the occupiers, he created a shelter for cats called “Bearded Cat Mom.” Later, he also opened a vet clinic for homeless animals.

Now fifty cats live in the shelter, 20 are undergoing treatment.

For reference: on April 2, 2022, Kyiv region was completely liberated from russian occupation. By April 6, 2022, the Defense Forces fully liberated Chernihiv region. On April 11, 2022, the then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi announced that full control over the state border in Sumy region had been restored.  

• animals
• volunteers
• Kyiv

Taras Stolyar was a bandura player in the National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments for 20 years. Taras put his musical career on hold on February 24, 2022. Taras joined the territorial defense forces of the capital. In March he defended Kyiv region from the russian invaders and received his call sign “Bandura.” Later, Taras’s unit was transferred to the east, he fought near Kreminna and Bakhmut, first he was a marksman but then he took up drones.

In November 2023, Taras joined the “Culture Forces of Ukraine” – an association of Ukrainian artists who perform for the military on the front lines, as well as in hospitals and de-occupied cities. Currently, he tries to motivate and raise the morale of the military with his bandura playing. In particular, his performance of the Metallica song even got a reaction from the then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

For reference: Taras Stolyar is currently in the capital. The serviceman is ready to communicate with journalists, both online and in person, by prior arrangement.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

The Center for Civil Liberties cordially extends an invitation to the forthcoming presentation entitled “Strategy for the Release of Illegally Detained Civilians and Find Missing Persons as a Result of Russian Aggression.” Scheduled for March 14, this event will take place at the Media Center Ukraine — Ukrinform in Kyiv. 

Speakers of the event:

– Mykhailo Savva, member of the expert council Center for Civil Liberties;

– Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Center for Civil Liberties;

– Viktoriya Petruk, representative of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (KSHPPV). 

Event accreditation is required.

For context: Russia is currently holding more than 7,000 civilians in the occupied territories and within the Russian Federation without legal basis. Many individuals have been detained under vague charges of “resistance to a special military operation” without formal accusations, and the majority lack access to legal representation. Reports indicate widespread instances of mistreatment and torture against these detainees. 

Since the commencement of Russia’s comprehensive aggression against Ukraine, only 160 civilians have been released in prisoner exchanges, as reported on January 4, 2024.

• casualties
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On March 16, Kyiv will play host to a poignant demonstration of support for the missing and imprisoned warriors with the event “Two Hearts in Captivity.” The rally aims to thrust the dire plight of Ukrainian prisoners of war, languishing in enemy confines, into the spotlight of public consciousness, governmental attention, and the global arena. Furthermore, organizers seek to underscore the critical necessity of boosting support networks for the families left behind, grappling with the absence of their loved ones.

The agenda for this solemn occasion encompasses moving performances titled “Two Hearts in Captivity” and “Human Chain.”

The event is helmed by the families of POWs and missing defenders, in tandem with the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. 

• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv

Before the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, Maksym Shevchenko worked in car repairs. On February 24, 2022, he was in Irpin. Despite the shelling, he evacuated residents from Bucha, Vorzel, the outskirts of Hostomel and Irpin. Later, the situation got more complicated and hostilities intensified, so he could only evacuate Irpin residents. (He took them to the Romanivka Bridge, which sustained so much damage to the structure that people could only cross it on foot).

Maksym evacuated people with reduced mobility, the elderly and the wounded. Sometimes he had to carry people on his shoulders. During the evacuations, the volunteer saw corpses of the residents who died due to russian shelling. And the volunteer himself came under enemy fire several times.

Maksym filmed what was happening around him on his phone. On March 21, 2022, his own house was destroyed by an enemy strike. Before that, one of his cars had been damaged by an enemy shell. In order to take people out, he had to use the cars of his relatives, friends and ordinary residents.

Maksym continues to volunteer even now. He delivers humanitarian aid to the frontline regions.

Journalists have the opportunity to learn more and communicate with the volunteer in Kyiv region (either in person or online).

For reference: on April 2, 2022, Kyiv region was completely liberated from russian occupation. By April 6, 2022, the Defense Forces fully liberated Chernihiv region. On April 11, 2022, the then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi announced that full control over the state border in Sumy region was restored.

• casualties
• occupation
• volunteers
• Kyiv
• evacuation