Themes by tag: Lviv

Liudmyla and Ihor lived in the Lviv oblast and raised two sons. When the full-scale invasion began, Ihor did not hesitate to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces, even though he had no previous military experience.

A month after Ihor went to war, his father died. A few months later, Liudmyla’s uncle also died, and just three weeks after that, she suffered another devastating loss — her mother died of cancer.

Ihor served in the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade of Galicia, where he carried out duties as both a soldier and a medic. His unit participated in the liberation of Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts, as well as in intense battles near Kreminna and Bakhmut. In one of these battles Ihor was killed.

The loss of their father was very hard for the children. Their eldest son, who was six at the time, became withdrawn, he often cried remembering his father, grandmother and grandfather. There were moments when he lost interest in life altogether, answering every question with “I don’t care” or “I want to go to daddy in heaven”.

For Liudmyla, this was the time of her greatest trial. In March 2024, the family suffered another loss: her stepfather, who had been a wonderful grandfather to the children, died. It felt as if she had no strength left. But eventually Liudmyla realized an essential truth: in order to give to others, you must first restore yourself.

She turned to psychologists, doctors, and to God. Thanks to various charitable foundations and NGOs, the family attended psychological and spiritual camps and retreats. This helped Liudmyla and her children to return to life.

Background: The charitable foundation Children of Heroes is currently assisting Liudmyla’s family. The foundation assists children who have lost one or both parents to the full-scale russian invasion. It provides financial assistance, psychological and legal support, and helps with education and personal development until the children reach adulthood.

• dead
• military
• women
• Lviv

The Lviv State University of Internal Affairs has a driving school for people with disabilities. Since the launch of the “Without Barriers” project, 20 students have received their driving licenses. Among them are seven servicemen who were injured on the front lines.

In September 2024, the driving school began training people with hearing and speech impairments. The students completed the theoretical course with the help of sign language interpreters. Currently, some students have already passed the theoretical exam and are preparing for practical driving lessons. Driving practice is also carried out with the help of interpreters.

You can communicate with the project participants and instructors of the driving school for people with disabilities online or offline by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Lviv

In a remarkable blend of art and healing, an organ built using fragments of enemy missiles that struck the Kyiv region is being used to aid the psychological and physical rehabilitation of wounded defenders. Over the next two months, musicians from the Lviv Organ Hall will conduct a series of master classes for patients at the Unbroken Ukraine’s National Rehabilitation Center. These sessions will allow participants to play this extraordinary instrument and learn about its history and mechanics.  

The organ, currently installed at the Lviv railway station, is the creation of Ukrainian artist Zhanna Kadyrova. It was developed as part of the Instrument project, a series of performances that brought together Ukrainian and international musicians. Over the course of two months, performers delivered their programs at the station every Friday and Saturday, using the organ as a centerpiece.  

For reference: The rehabilitation initiative for Ukraine’s wounded defenders is a joint effort supported by Ukrzaliznytsia, the Lviv Organ Hall, and the Lviv City Council. 

• casualties
• culture
• military
• psychological support
• Lviv

Andriy Stanko lost his eyesight as a child. A year ago, he became a mentor for blind people in an inclusive library in Lviv called Sensoteka. This inclusive space is equipped with everything needed for the visually impaired: the floors have tactile tiles with raised dots to help blind people navigate with a cane. The library also prints books in Braille.

Twice a week, Andriy visits Sensoteka, where he teaches digital literacy to blind people. His mentees include veterans who lost their sight on the front lines.

Using a specialized program called NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA), Andriy has already added accessibility features to a laptop, desktop computer, and two tablets in the inclusive space.

You can talk to Andriy both online and offline by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• culture
• Lviv

Mykyta Horniak, a veteran of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, has transformed personal tragedy into a mission to help others. Originally from Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov) in the Luhansk region—now under russian occupation—Mykyta moved to Odesa in 2015 and joined the Azov civilian corps. A year later, at the age of 20, he was mobilized into Ukraine’s Defense Forces, where he served on the front lines for six years.  

In December 2022, while fighting near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region, Mykyta sustained a severe injury that resulted in the loss of his leg. Determined to remain active, he initially explored options for continuing military service with a prosthetic limb. However, he ultimately decided to channel his efforts into a new venture in civilian life.  

During his rehabilitation, Mykyta’s fiancée, Kateryna, played a pivotal role in supporting him. She encouraged his idea of creating a limited-edition clothing line honoring wounded soldiers. Starting with patches and printed designs on T-shirts, Mykyta quickly realized the need for adaptive clothing designed specifically for individuals with amputations—clothing that would be both functional and comfortable. Now, Mykyta is preparing to launch his brand, fittingly named “All Inclusive,” and is awaiting test samples of the adaptive apparel. 

For those interested, Mykyta and Kateryna are available to meet in person or online in Lviv by appointment.

• casualties
• military
• occupation
• Lviv

Oleksandr Miroshnikov, a 62-year-old master jeweler, has spent more than half his life crafting intricate designs. Recognized as an Honored Master of Folk Art of Ukraine and a full recipient of the prestigious Fabergé Memorial Foundation awards, Miroshnikov has taken on a unique challenge since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion—creating jewelry from titanium salvaged from russian missile wreckage.

The titanium, extracted from downed Kalibr and Kh-101 missiles provided by Ukrainian forces, is far more challenging to work with than gold or platinum, Miroshnikov says, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind.

His creations have found homes in museums and private collections across Ukraine, Europe, the United States, and the UAE, and they’re frequently featured at exhibitions. Currently, he is finishing a piece titled “Fleur de Fougère” (Fern Flower). 

Those interested in connecting with Oleksandr can meet him in Mykolaiv or the Lviv region, either in person or online, by prior arrangement.

• culture
• weapon
• Lviv

Maryna Zhdan is a 44-year-old Lviv resident and mother of four. Before the beginning of the full-scale war, Maryna was an avid traveler, running her own travel blog and visiting 40 countries. But she says her favorite place is in Ukraine: the village of Stuzhytsia in Zakarpattia, home to a 1,300-year-old oak tree. The majestic tree made a deep impression on her, as she has loved plants since childhood. When Maryna moved into her own home, she began transforming her surroundings into a lush indoor jungle.

In 2022, Maryna decided to sell her plants to raise money for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. She created a social media page called “Khatni Khashchi” (“Home Jungle”). Through her efforts, she managed to raise 380,000 UAH to support the Ukrainian Army.

Later, Maryna and her daughter began to set up a place they named “MAZANKA Space”. Once renovations are complete, it will serve as a potted plant shop and her daughter will offer tattoo services.

You can contact Maryna Zhdan either online or in person in Lviv by appointment.

• military
• women
• Lviv

For the first time in Ukraine, surgeons have performed a groundbreaking facial nerve reconstruction using the most advanced method available. This unique procedure was successfully performed by specialists at St. Panteleimon Hospital of the First Medical Association of Lviv. On January 13, journalists are invited to meet the patient and the surgical team in Lviv.

The patient, 33-year-old Olha Rudenko from Kherson, faced a life-changing challenge. Several years ago, doctors discovered and removed a cyst from her left parotid gland. Unfortunately, the cyst came back, and a second surgery in this high-risk area damaged the trunk of the facial nerve. As a result, the left side of Olha’s face was completely paralyzed.

Reconstructive surgeons from Lviv, in cooperation with international specialists, performed a complex procedure known as facial nerve reanimation. This cutting-edge method is considered the most advanced and challenging in the world, with a 99% success rate. It was a first for Ukraine and a resounding success.

Three months after the surgery, the results are already visible. Olha has started to smile again. Her cheek is gradually regaining movement and her left eye can now close. However, nerve recovery is a long process, and the final results will not be seen for up to a year after the surgery. Olha is currently in rehabilitation.

Journalists must register to attend.

Additional materials: Footage of the patient before surgery and images of the procedure will be available.

• doctors
• women
• Lviv

World Central Kitchen (WCK) has opened its first community kitchen in Lviv, providing vital cooking facilities for a shelter housing families of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The kitchen was established in a dormitory that previously lacked any cooking infrastructure. To create the space, WCK renovated a former assembly hall, constructing an additional wall to accommodate a fully modern kitchen.  

The facility is equipped with electric stoves, ovens, refrigerators, exhaust hoods, workstations, a dishwashing area, and a generator to ensure uninterrupted operation. The shelter can host up to 300 residents, including 100 children, 100 adults, and 100 elderly individuals. Thanks to the new kitchen, residents can now prepare nutritious meals in a safe and comfortable environment.  

Before the kitchen’s opening, WCK had provided over 157,000 meals to IDPs at the shelter from June 1, 2022.  

For reference: Since the onset of russia’s all-out invasion, WCK has prepared more than 274 million meals, including 68 million hot meals. The organization has also distributed over 10.1 million food parcels, totaling 109,037 tons of aid. 

Founded by acclaimed chef José Andrés, WCK has a long history of responding to crises worldwide, from natural disasters to wars, delivering meals and hope to those in need.  

• casualties
• food
• Lviv

To raise awareness about the defenders of Azovstal and other soldiers still held in enemy captivity, a performance entitled “Third Christmas in Captivity” will be held in Lviv, accompanied by peaceful rallies in 24 cities across Ukraine.

Scheduled events:

December 21: Peaceful rallies in Okhtyrka, Pivdennoukrainsk, Chernihiv, Irpin, Vinnytsia, Kolomyia, Zhytomyr, Obukhiv, Poltava, Pavlohrad, and Zaporizhia.

December 22: Peaceful rallies in Kyiv, Uman, Krolevets, Korosten, Ovruch, Cherkasy, Uzhhorod, Mykolaiv, Korostyshiv, Kovel, Kropyvnytskyi, Odesa, Ostroh, and Lviv.

The events are organized by the families of POWs from the Mariupol garrison. The rallies are often attended by Ukrainians who have been released from captivity.

• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv
• Lviv
• Odesa