Themes by tag: Kyiv
Tetiana, a 64-year-old kindergarten teacher and the head of two apartment buildings co-owners association from Hostomel. As the all-out invasion escalated, she did some prepping. She swiftly opened the basements of two condominiums she oversees, furnishing them with wooden pallets to provide refuge for over a hundred individuals, including a two-month-old infant. Tetiana and her neighbors rallied together, cooking meals in her apartment and even on the streets when communication lines went dead. Tragically, her husband fell victim to a blast wave, sustaining injuries.
On March 5, the invaders seized control of residential properties, compelling residents to seek shelter in the basements. Despite attempts to evacuate to a neighboring area, their efforts were thwarted as occupiers insisted on relocating them to Belarus, a proposal vehemently rejected by the locals. Tetiana herself could only escape the besieged town on March 11, 2022.
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.
Olena Yuzvak found herself under the occupation immediately after the beginning of the big war. Hostomel, a town in Kyiv region, where a doctor was staying, was captured by the russians. Olena stayed there to continue working and helping people who could not leave. Olena distributed medicine and cared for the wounded until the occupiers captured her. The doctor was released a day later, and 10 days later, the Ukrainian military liberated Hostomel. Olena immediately returned to work and began working to restore the medical institutions she managed. One of these facilities is located in Moshchun village, Kyiv region, which was destroyed by a direct hit in the shelling. With the support of international funds, Olena managed to build a new Health Center and turn it into an energy-independent Invincibility Center. The Health Center in Moshchun has been successfully operating since its opening. Currently, the doctor continues to work on the restoration and opening of modern medical facilities.
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.
Svitlana Humeniuk is now the director of the Kolonshchyna Lyceum, a village in Bucha district that went through the occupation. At the time of the full-scale russian invasion, she worked as a Design and Technology teacher and a leisure-time activities teacher.
At the end of February 2022, the occupiers encircled the village of Kolonshchyna. People were prohibited from leaving. Many civilians who tried to escape the occupation spent the night in the school.
Svitlana and three other teachers risked their own lives to help their fellow villagers: they joined the distribution of humanitarian aid and even delivery efforts. All this was despite the shelling and enemy missiles. To somehow protect themselves from the occupiers, they wore white ribbons on their sleeves. In addition, some families with children, including students of the lyceum she now heads, took refuge in Svitlana’s house.
Ukraine’s Armed Forces liberated Kolonshchyna village in late March 2022.
For reference: on April 2, 2022, Kyiv region was completely liberated from russian occupation. By April 6, 2022, the Defense Forces completely liberated Chernihiv region. On April 11, 2022, the then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi announced that the control over the state border in Sumy region had been fully restored.
Coinciding with the 210th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko’s birth, the Kyiv Institute of the National Guard of Ukraine will debut “Unknown Shevchenko,” a production that promises to infuse fresh relevance into Shevchenko’s timeless texts. The performance, featuring the voices of combatants hailing from locales like Soledar and Bakhmut, alongside cadets of the National Guard Institute, is poised to deliver poignant reflections on contemporary issues.
It’s worth noting that since the outbreak of Russia’s full-blown war in Ukraine, cadets from the Kyiv Institute of the National Guard have been at the forefront, bravely defending the capital and directly safeguarding the Bucha district. Among their ranks are individuals who have valiantly defended the Donetsk region, including areas like Soledar, Bakhmut, and Kalynivka.
On March 9, Ukrainians will commemorate the birth of Taras Shevchenko, a towering figure in Ukrainian history known for his contributions as a poet, prose writer, thinker, painter, ethnographer, and public figure. Shevchenko’s literary opus, particularly his iconic collection “Kobzar,” remains the cornerstone of modern Ukrainian literature.
Mikael Colville-Andersen, a renowned Danish urbanist, designer, writer, and TV presenter, is making waves in Ukraine with his philanthropic efforts. Founding the non-profit organization Bikes4Ukraine, Colville-Andersen has facilitated the delivery of used bicycles from Europe to Ukrainians in need. Bikes4Ukraine inception was the very reason for Dane’s first coming to Ukraine in June 2022. His initiative already delivered 1000 bicycles for now.
Currently stationed in Kyiv, Mikael’s tirelessly working on the development of a Nordic Therapy Garden-inspired environment, set to grace the district of Podil. This unique project aims to provide solace and healing to those affected by the stresses of war. More than just a green space, a therapy garden is meticulously crafted to offer comfort and security, providing a sanctuary for individuals grappling with the trauma of war.
Journalists eager to delve deeper into Colville-Andersen’s endeavors, including the creation of the therapeutic garden and other initiatives, can arrange interviews with the urbanist.
Adding to his contributions, from March 1 to 9, an exhibition titled “SNAFU” is on display in Kyiv, showcasing collaborative works of Colville-Andersen and Ukrainian artist Kalyna Seriakovska. The exhibit explores the pursuit of normalcy amidst the chaos of conflict, drawing inspiration from the military abbreviation “SNAFU,” a WW2 military acronym meaning “Situation normal: all fucked up.”
On March 3, the national team of Ukraine will journey to Las Vegas to participate in the United States Air Force and Marine Corps Trials 2024. On that occasion, a briefing will be convened in Kyiv with team members and trip organizers.
Media representatives will have the opportunity to delve into the Ukrainian team’s preparation for the competition, their aspirations, and the goals of the veterans and military personnel representing Ukraine in the United States.
Speakers at the briefing include members of the national team:
- Yevhenii OMELCHUK, an AFU serviceman,
- Tymur LEON, an AFU serviceman,
- Yurii HAPONCHUK, a National Guard of Ukraine serviceman,
And also:
- Olena YANOVSKA, head coach of the national team of Ukraine,
- Oleksandr PORKHUN, Acting Minister of Veterans Affairs,
- Matvii BIDNYI, Acting Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.
Accreditation is required to attend the event.
For reference: The United States Air Force and Marine Corps Trials is an annual domestic competition for veterans and U.S. military personnel who have sustained injuries, wounds, or illnesses during their service. This year, the organizers extended an invitation to the Ukrainian team, comprising both veterans and active military personnel, to join the event.
From March 4 to 16, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, the Ukrainian team will vie in sports such as archery, athletics, cycling, powerlifting, rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, and wheelchair basketball.
The 2402 Foundation will launch a unique safety training program for everyone who lives and works in war conditions. Immersion in a lifelike stress inducing situation will allow participants to experience a similar situation in the future without exposing themselves to danger.
This hands-on training will focus on threats, risks and security situations typical for those operating in war zones and frontline areas: journalists, representatives of humanitarian organizations, war crimes documentarians, human rights defenders and volunteers. VR-scenarios were developed by the partners of the 2402 Foundation – the British company Headset Immersive and certified specialists on security, emergency medical and psychological first aid, who used their experience of working at the frontline.
VR training is designed to minimize the risk of getting confused, unable to control oneself and being completely helpless and defenseless in a critical situation in real life.
Participants:
- Katerina Sergatskova, Co-Founder, and Executive Director of the 2402 Foundation;
- Anton Skiba, 2402 Foundation expert, risk assessment trainer;
- Kate Parkinson, Co-Founder and CEO of Head Set, winner of the Women in Innovation Award.
The press conference will be held on February 29 at Media Center Ukraine — Ukrinform. Pre-registration is required.
The founders of the T4P (Tribunal for putin) initiative — the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, the Center for Civil Liberties, the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union— and Ukrainian Crisis Media Center invite journalists to discuss the issue of mass abduction and detention of Ukrainian civilians by the russian military on February 27 in Kyiv. The scale of the problem indicates that it is a target policy of the russian authorities to destroy the Ukrainian people.
Topics for discussion:
▪ Large-scale detention of Ukrainian civilians by the russian occupation authorities is a war crime committed by the russian federation
▪ What happens to civilian hostages after detention?
▪ What to do if your loved one is taken hostage? Instructions for relatives of civilian hostages
▪ What to do to facilitate the release of civilian hostages?
▪ Where should the family turn for psychological support?
Speakers:
- Yevgeniy Zakharov, Director at the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group
- Oleksandr Pavlichenko, Executive Director of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union
- Nataliia Yashchuk, Project Management Coordinator at the Center for Civil Liberties
- Tetiana Marina, a representative of Civilians in Captivity NGO
- Olena Tsyhipa, the wife of illegally convicted activist Serhii Tsyhipa
- Anna Mushtukova, “Our Closest People” initiative group
The event requires accreditation.
Maryna and Mykola are both military, they met in 2019 in the army. The woman had two daughters from a previous marriage — Olena and Oleksandra. Mykola also has a daughter named Milana. At first, the family lived in Mariupol, Donetsk region (now the city is occupied), then they moved to Berdiansk, Zaporizhia region (now the city is occupied).
The couple served in the Azov brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine. In 2020, Mykola resigned from the Azov and joined the marines. Maryna’s contract ended in November 2021, but she did not want to leave her brothers in arms.
When the full-scale invasion began, Maryna, along with other Azov defenders of Mariupol ended up at the Azovstal plant (i.e. Iron and Steel Works where fierce battles with the enemy took place in the spring of 2022). Mykola wanted to switch with Marina and go to Azovstal instead of her. The woman persuaded him not to do this, because at the checkpoint the russians shot three guys who were on the way to meet their girlfriends, and many others who broke through to the plant went missing. Even then Maryna understood that she and other military personnel were unlikely to get out of the Azovstal alive. And she asked her husband to take care of her daughters. On May 8, 2022, the woman died in a fire at the Azovstal.
Now Mykola is fighting for the right to adopt his deceased wife’s daughters and give them a happy future. He is purchasing a three-room apartment for the girls in Kyiv region so they could live together as a family.
With the help of the Children of Heroes Fund, Maryna’s daughters received gifts and visited a rehabilitation camp, which helped them to distract themselves from terrible memories and disturbing thoughts.
For reference: the defense of Mariupol lasted 86 days. Following the order of the command, the Ukrainian defenders stopped putting up the defense, left Azovstal and surrendered to the enemy. On May 20, 2022, Mariupol was occupied by russia.
The Children of Heroes Charity Fund supports children who have lost one or both parents due to russia’s full-scale invasion. The fund offers financial aid as well as psychological and legal support. The organization helps these children with education and development until they reach adulthood.
As of the beginning of February, 7,889 wards are under the care of the Fund. Of them, 1,062 are IDPs, 151 children have lost their mother and father, 177 are children with disabilities, 970 are children from large families. Every week about 80 children are included into the list of the recipients of the fund’s help. Among the fund’s children, 88% are kids of military personnel, while the remaining 12% are civilians.
In Ozera village, Hostomel community, Gurtum Charity Foundation created a unique “space shelter.” Children from the local kindergarten and two neighboring schools can hide there during rocket alerts. In general, the bomb shelter can accommodate 160 people. What makes it special is that its walls are painted in a space theme.
The benefactors involved a professional artist in the creative process, and the work lasted almost 2 weeks. Paintings cover about 70 square meters of walls. In addition, a special paint that is safe for babies was used for the paintings.
Today, some of the things you can see on the walls of the shelter include planets, an astronaut and even a raccoon in a spaceship. There are also RGB lights in the shelter to enhance the feeling of immersion into space.
The Ukrainian diaspora in Japan (NPO “Krayany”) helped to create the shelter.
As reported, Gurtum Charity Foundation earlier built a shelter in the form of a Hobbit house for schoolchildren in Hostomel. The photos are available here.
