Themes by tag: 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

Brave to Rebuild project volunteers will be on the ground in the Kyiv region on March 9-10 to deliver their mission to dismantle the wreckage of homes and structures devastated by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in villages such as Horenka and Moshchun, as well as in the city of Irpin.

Journalists are encouraged to cover these volunteer-led clean-up efforts. 

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.

• reconstruction
• volunteers
• 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.

• occupation
• women
• Kyiv

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.

• casualties
• doctors
• occupation
• prisoners
• reconstruction
• russian crimes
• women
• Kyiv

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.

• occupation
• women
• Kyiv

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.

• culture
• Kyiv