Themes by tag: Kyiv

On December 24, at 2 PM, relatives of captured AZOV fighters will gather on Sofia Square in Kyiv to remind the world of those who are still held in russian captivity. The families of the prisoners call on the governments of the world and international organizations to redouble their efforts to get their relatives out of the clutches of the aggressor.

For reference: “Azovstal” Iron and Steel Works became a stronghold during the defense of Mariupol. On May 20, 2,500 Ukrainian soldiers left the territory of the plant and were immediately captured by the occupiers. Some of them were released within several exchanges. But most of the defenders of Azovstal, in particular, those from the AZOV regiment, remain imprisoned.

• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv

The film “A House Made of Splinters” is among 15 candidates for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film. This is a film produced by Ukraine, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. The film tells about children from the problem families who ended up in an orphan asylum near the front. Several teachers who, under the conditions of war with russia, are trying to create a safe space for children also became the heroes of the film. “A House Made of Splinters” premiered in January 2022.

• children
• culture
• Kyiv

Due to russian missile attacks, and the following power cuts, Ukrainians are increasingly facing everyday difficulties and finding solutions. Hairdressers say that people often come just to wash their hair if power is suddenly cut, or it has been off for a long time.

And, for example, in post offices, people (due to lack of electricity) blow-dried their hair, charged gadgets and connected inhalers. There was a case when the woman came to dry her nails in a nail lamp, and the man even brought a printer with him to continue working. If possible, journalists can be shown the work of one of the capital’s branches, which has equipped a co-working space.

• blackout
• Kyiv

Non-governmental organization “Vidchuy” buys devices for protecting the hearing organs of the Ukrainian military. Individual tactical sound filters are earplugs specifically designed for military use. They reliably protect against dangerous peaks of noise, preserving the ability to hear those who are nearby. 1,150 sound filters have already been purchased.

In addition, the non-governmental organization “Vidchuy”, together with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, works on the rehabilitation of military personnel who received hearing injuries at the front. The Ministry of Health and the non-governmental organization “Vidchuy” signed a memorandum that will allow attracting activists from the non-governmental organization for rehabilitation of the military.

For reference: The non-governmental organization “Vidchuy” has been systematically engaged in support and social adaptation of people with hearing impairments since 2011.

• casualties
• doctors
• military
• volunteers
• Kyiv

For the first time ever in Ukraine, an exhibition of female military uniforms and gear was presented, which had been developed as part of the “Arm Women Now” project. Previously, Iryna Nykorak, Deputy of the Kyiv City Council, the project initiator, noted that this uniform is made in such a way that women with any size and type of body feel comfortable. It is known that now the uniform is being officially tested in the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. 

For reference: In late November, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine reported that almost 60,000 women serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

• military
• volunteers
• women
• Kyiv

Andriy Zelinskyy, the priest, is one of the first army chaplains in Ukraine. In June 2014, he was offering spiritual support to Ukrainian soldiers in the east of the country. In particular, in the Armed Forces of Ukraine units near Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, Staroihnativka, in the Avdiivka industrial zone, in Pisky, Debaltseve, Shyrokyne and Vodiane of Donetsk region. And in Kyiv, he visited the first wounded soldiers in the Central Military Hospital.

Now the Armed Forces of Ukraine need hundreds of chaplains for the army. In October, Ukraine even established a military chaplaincy service, which organizes the training of chaplains. The course is provided that should help to acquire the basic competencies of a serviceman in a very short time, so that it is easier to integrate the team. 

For reference: Army chaplains are clergymen who combine their ecclesiastical rank with other activities. A chaplain can be a Ukrainian citizen with a degree in theology, who is a clergyman of a church or religious organization registered in Ukraine. He must also receive a mandate from his church to be entitled to carry out chaplaincy activities.

• military
• religion
• Kyiv

On December 23, Ukrposhta will put into circulation a postage stamp in honor of the world-famous Christmas carol. “Shchedryk. Carol of the Bell” is the final one in the cycle of stamps issued by Ukrposhta in 2022. The issue of the postage stamp was timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the presentation of the musical piece “Shchedryk” on the Carnegie Hall stage in New York. It was after this that “Shchedryk” by Mykola Leontovych became a symbolic holiday anthem for a number of countries.

The new stamp will be canceled with a special postmark in Kyiv on Sofiiska square by Ihor Smilianskyi, General Director of Ukrposhta, and by Mykola Kochubei, the Honored Artist of Ukraine, the author of the postage stamp. Also, the folk choir “Vesnianka” will perform the famous holiday song on the square.

• culture
• Kyiv

Due to invaders’ missile attacks and the following power cuts, hundreds of people across the country are getting stuck in elevators. Residents of apartment buildings often leave special boxes with food and water in elevators to make it more comfortable for the stuck people to wait for “liberation”.

For example, in Lviv, dispatching services received almost 1,300 appeals about getting stuck in elevators during November alone. Previously, based on one of the municipal enterprises, additional emergency teams have been formed, which, in particular, rescue people.

• blackout
• casualties
• Kyiv
• Lviv

Police stations, post offices, and even gas stations — the Internet is full of videos and photos of locations where Ukrainian teachers conduct online lessons due to the lack of electricity and the Internet.

Alla is a primary school teacher. Due to the lack of electricity, the woman is often forced to go to an Invincibility Center (in Kyiv region) to conduct lessons. From there, Alla teaches first-graders who still want to get a Ukrainian education even though they are in Poland because of the war.

For reference: Invincibility Centers are places set up by local authorities where people can get warm, get access to water, electricity, internet, etc. 

• blackout
• Kyiv

In order for the Christmas tree to light up at the capital’s railway station this year, you need to spin the pedals of a mechanical generator. And the main Christmas tree of the country located on Sophia Square is decorated with energy-saving lamps. Most likely, the Christmas tree will be lit up at certain hours of the day. Among other things, points for recharging gadgets will be set up next to the generator.

The “Indomitable Christmas Tree” was installed in Mykolaiv. It is made of a camouflage net that covers the monument to St. Nicholas. Previously, this monument had been covered with sandbags to protect it from destruction. On St. Nicholas Day, December 19, people are encouraged to bring their toys with wishes to put them up on the unusual Christmas tree. And in Kharkiv, the New Year tree was placed underground. A Christmas tree was put up at one of the metro stations.

• culture
• Kharkiv
• Kyiv
• Mykolaiv