Themes by tag: military

After the russian occupation of Luhansk in 2014, Oleksandr Ivantsov left his hometown. In 2015, he joined the Azov Brigade. He spent five years fighting in eastern Ukraine before being demobilized. When russia launched its full-scale invasion, Ivantsov was near Africa, protecting ships from pirates. But just three weeks later, he was flying to Mariupol aboard one of the helicopters that broke through to the city and reached the Azovstal steel plant.

Ivantsov informed his wife about his decision to join the defense of Mariupol only after he had arrived at the steel plant. The defense of Mariupol lasted 86 days, with Ukrainian troops surviving under constant shelling almost without water, food or essential medicine for the wounded. On May 16, 2022, the defenders still holding out at Azovstal received orders to surrender in order to save their lives. Ivantsov did not want to surrender to russian forces, so with his commander’s permission he remained at the plant.

For seven days, he hid in one of the tunnels with only limited supplies and a sleeping bag. He later got rid of his weapon, found civilian clothes and left the plant. For 18 days, Ivantsov walked without any contact with the outside world as he made his way back to Ukrainian-controlled territory. He lost 11 kilograms but eventually reached safety. Later, the serviceman returned to duty. In June 2025, Ivantsov was awarded the title Hero of Ukraine.

Interviews with Oleksandr Ivantsov can be arranged both online and offline in the Kharkiv region by prior agreement and coordination with his press officer.

• military
• Mariupol

Sofia and Volodymyr met through sports. Sofia came to a gym in Kyiv where her future husband worked as a coach. She is a trained teacher of Ukrainian language, literature, and history, while Volodymyr is a professional CrossFit athlete and coach with 15 years of experience.

The couple decided to open their own gym. That is how the T11CF sports space was established in Kyiv.

On March 4, 2022, Volodymyr joined a combat unit of the National Guard of Ukraine. He took part in the battles for the village of Moshchun in Kyiv region, the liberation of the Kyiv region, and later fought on the Zaporizhzhia front.

During that time, the project was put on hold. The gym eventually opened in September 2024. Later, thanks to a grant from the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, the sports space expanded into a network of two locations.

Today, T11CF is not only about sports, but also about community. Soldiers, veterans, professional athletes, and people with disabilities train there.

Interviews with Sofia and Volodymyr can be arranged both online and in person in Kyiv by prior appointment.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Kyiv

Kyiv Military Hub, together with the Kyiv Hippodrome, holds horse riding classes twice a week for Ukrainian defenders and veterans.

Each session lasts 40 minutes — enough time to learn basic riding skills, enjoy the experience and simply recharge.

Equine-assisted therapy for veterans includes:

• physical impact, as the horse transmits rhythmic movement impulses to the rider, activating muscles and the vestibular system;
• psychological and emotional support, as interaction with animals — even without riding — helps reduce stress, alleviate depression and support emotional recovery.

By prior arrangement, journalists are welcome to attend and cover the classes held in Kyiv.

Background: Since the initiative was launched, more than 2,000 defenders, veterans and their family members have taken part in the classes.

• animals
• culture
• military
• Kyiv

A screening of the documentary “Dance With Fire” will take place at the War Museum in Kyiv on May 12.

The film tells the story of Vadym Khlupianets — a ballet performer with the Kyiv National Academic Operetta Theatre who traded the stage for the battlefield and was killed defending Ukraine’s independence.

After the start of russia’s aggression against Ukraine in 2014, Khlupianets was forced to leave his hometown of Donetsk and relocate to the Zhytomyr region. A graduate of the Kyiv Choreographic School, he worked at the Kyiv National Academic Operetta Theatre before joining Ukraine’s defense forces following russia’s full-scale invasion.

He first served in the ranks of Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces before later joining the Freedom Legion of the National Guard of Ukraine. Vadym Khlupianets was killed at the age of 26 on Nov. 15, 2022, during battles near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region.

The event will also feature a meeting with the film’s creators, including Memorial Platform co-founder Haiane Avakian and the film’s director, Diana Zhvinklis.

Journalists are required to obtain accreditation.

Background: The screening is organized jointly with the Memorial Platform.

• dead
• military
• Kyiv

Oleksandr Tereshchenko is a Ukrainian Armed Forces veteran who helped defend Donetsk Airport in 2015. He sustained severe injuries in combat and lost his right arm and the hand on his left arm.

Tereshchenko later wrote the book “Life After 16:30,” reflecting on his experiences during prosthetic treatment and rehabilitation. He also launched the project “I Did It — And You Can Too,” a series of 12 video guides offering practical advice on everyday life for people living with amputations. Using his own experience as an example, Tereshchenko demonstrates what to do and how to adapt to daily challenges.

The project is aimed at servicemen and veterans who have recently lost limbs and are still learning how to cope with the changes in their lives.

The veteran is also launching five-day retreats for veterans with bilateral upper-limb amputations and their families. During the retreats, participants will practice essential daily living skills. The nearest sessions are scheduled for May.

Oleksandr Tereshchenko is available for interviews both online and in person in Mykolaiv by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Mykolaiv

On May 16, a meeting with drone operators from the anti-aircraft missile and artillery division of the 3rd “Spartan” Brigade, 2nd Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine “Khartiia,” will take place at the Khartiia Hub in Dnipro.

During the event, representatives of the UAV unit will discuss a new generation of drone operators, the remote execution of combat missions over long distances, and counter-drone defense.

Participants will also learn about the enemy’s use of Shahed, Lancet, Molniya and Gerbera drones. Servicemen will speak about the daily life of operators, the skills and knowledge required for the role, and how to join the “guardians of the sky.”

Registration is required to attend the event.

• military
• Dnipro

On May 7, Ivan Roman, a patient at the UNBROKEN rehabilitation center in Lviv, will open his own business — an archery sports club — together with his wife, Larysa. Roman lost a leg, an arm and part of his eyesight in the war.

The 38-year-old from the Mykolaiv region first joined Ukraine’s defense back in 2014. In January 2024, he was serving as a driver in an aerial reconnaissance unit. He was transporting fellow soldiers to positions when an enemy FPV drone struck the windshield.

Despite severe injuries, during rehabilitation he tried archery and became passionate about the sport. He learned to draw the bowstring with his teeth and to shoot accurately. The veteran now actively competes and aims to join Ukraine’s national Paralympic team.

The idea to open the club was sparked by Roman’s participation in the ReStart program, “From Idea to Veteran Business” — a free business course for patients of the UNBROKEN Center. The course teaches participants how to develop a business plan, understand finance and taxation, explore grant opportunities, and build communication skills.

After completing the course, Ivan and Larysa applied for a grant, won the competition, and secured funding for equipment.

At their club, the Romans plan to develop adaptive sports, working with veterans and also creating a separate section for visually impaired people.

Journalists are invited to attend the opening, where they will have an opportunity to speak with the founders, tour the new inclusive sports space, and see Ivan demonstrate his archery skills.

Media accreditation is required.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Lviv

Vadym Letunov, 34, is a corporal serving with Ukraine’s 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade. In late February, heavy enemy shelling destroyed his position and killed one of his comrades. Barefoot, Letunov managed to reach the nearest surviving dugout — only to discover it was occupied by a russian soldier, a former prisoner mobilized to fight against Ukraine.

Because the occupier was armed, Letunov effectively became his captive. Realizing that survival depended on gaining the soldier’s trust, he spent two weeks carefully navigating the situation. According to Letunov, the russian soldier showed severe mood swings and repeatedly threatened to execute him.

Conditions inside the dugout were extreme. Food and water were nearly gone, and Ukrainian command had already informed Letunov’s mother that he was presumed dead.

Over time, Letunov convinced the russian soldier that their only chance of survival was to surrender to Ukrainian forces. When supplies finally ran out, the two moved toward Ukrainian positions.

To avoid being mistaken for the enemy by Ukrainian drones, Letunov made a sign displaying his call sign and brigade number. When a Ukrainian drone appeared overhead, he dropped to his knees beside the sign to identify himself.

Ukrainian troops first delivered food, water, and a radio by drone. Shortly afterward, an armored vehicle arrived, evacuating Letunov and taking the russian soldier into captivity. Letunov is currently undergoing rehabilitation in Odesa after losing a toe due to gangrene caused by the conditions in the dugout.

Vadym Letunov is available for interviews online or in person in Odesa by prior arrangement and with approval from his press officer.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Odesa

Before russia’s full-scale invasion, Taras Ostapchuk worked in electrical installation. Back in 2017, he learned to operate drones, which he used to inspect streetlight poles. After February 24, 2022, he used the same drones to fly over the Kyiv region, assisting military intelligence. Later, he joined aerial reconnaissance himself.

Ostapchuk noted that soldiers were forced to manually carry anti-tank mines, despite the additional risk to their lives. This led him to develop the idea of robotic kamikaze systems designed to deliver explosives instead of humans. The project later expanded, and today Ratel Robotics produces a wide range of ground-based robotic systems — from remote mine-laying to logistics and evacuation support.

He invested all his savings — about $270,000 — into the first 50 robots and donated the technology to the front lines free of charge. Today, the project employs more than 200 people, and its main client is the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

Taras Ostapchuk is available for interviews both online and in person by prior arrangement.

• military

On May 2, a rally in support of prisoners of war and those missing will take place in Bucha, Kyiv region, under the title “Voices of Silence.”

Such peaceful gatherings have been held in the city since early 2026. Everyone who cares is encouraged to join to support Ukrainian defenders and their families, who are waiting every day for their loved ones to return.

Background: The rallies are organized by the NGO Voices of Silence, founded by the wives, mothers, sisters, and children of those who went missing while defending Ukraine.

• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv