Themes by tag: military

Yehor Babenko is 27. After finishing school, he enrolled in a border guard officer training program and later signed a military contract. He was serving with a border guard unit in Mykolaiv Region when russia launched its full-scale invasion. On March 9, 2022, he was seriously wounded after a russian munition exploded nearby. Yehor sustained severe burns to his body and face. Due to the extent of his injuries, doctors had to amputate both of his hands at the wrists.

Yehor spent a long time undergoing treatment abroad before returning to Ukraine, where doctors were able to restore his voice. He then started sharing his story on social media.

His online presence led a theatre company for veterans to invite him to join its production of Eneida, directed by Akhtem Seitablaiev. Yehor now plans to take part in other theatre projects as well.

He also works as a psychologist at the TYTANOVI Rehab sports rehabilitation center for veterans, where he helps fellow veterans overcome the consequences of trauma and recover.

Journalists can arrange an interview with Yehor Babenko either online or in person in Kyiv by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Foreign nationals who have voluntarily joined Ukraine’s defense continue to face serious administrative and bureaucratic obstacles both during and after their military service. Despite Ukraine’s efforts to attract more foreign volunteers, many report difficulties accessing essential military and veteran services, payments, benefits, and administrative procedures.

Participants:
– A group of foreign volunteers (anonymous) — service members currently serving or who previously served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
– Lera Burlakova, Ukrainian veteran and journalist.

Topics for discussion:
– Bureaucratic challenges faced by foreign volunteers;
– Unresolved issues related to military ID cards during the transition from a paper-based to a digital system;
– Problems with payments and benefits;
– Insufficient communication from government authorities;
– Possible solutions to these challenges.

• military

Mykyta Shastun joined the military several years before the full-scale invasion. He served in the 56th Brigade, fought on the outskirts of Donetsk Airport, and trained to become a sergeant.

After the full-scale invasion began, he and his brother Ihor joined the Azov Regiment to defend Mariupol. On April 1, his brother was killed. In May 2022, Mykyta and his comrades were ordered to lay down their weapons and surrender.

He ended up in the Olenivka colony in the occupied Donetsk oblast. He recalls extreme hardship: prisoners starving due to a lack of food and water. Soon, the Azov fighters were moved to another barracks where an explosion rocked the facility at night. Miraculously, Mykyta survived with only a concussion. He helped wounded comrades, though the russians provided no medical aid. He was then transferred from Olenivka to Taganrog, russia, before finally returning to Ukraine on December 31, 2022.

Journalists can contact Mykyta Shastun online by prior arrangement.

Background: The defense of Mariupol lasted 86 days, 82 of which were in complete encirclement. From May 16 to 20, 2022, the Mariupol garrison received orders to cease defending the city and surrender.

On the night of July 29, 2022, russia committed a terrorist act blowing up the Olenivka penal colony barracks holding Ukrainian POWs. At least 50 defenders of Azovstal were killed, and more than a hundred were injured.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes

On July 12, Khartiia Hub in Lviv will host a memorial tour dedicated to the life and legacy of combat medic Iryna Tsybukh.

The tour will be led by licensed guide and Iryna’s brother, Yurii Tsybukh, who will share personal stories that offer a deeper understanding of her remarkable life and character.

Participants will:

• visit places that played an important role in Iryna’s civic activism;
• reflect on her values, discuss ways of preserving memory, and explore how remembrance can be transformed into meaningful everyday actions.

The tour will conclude at Iryna’s burial site.

Background: Iryna Tsybukh, a paramedic with the Hospitallers volunteer medical battalion known by the call sign “Cheka,” was killed on May 29, 2024, during a troop rotation in the Kharkiv sector. She was 25 years old.

She joined the volunteer battalion in February 2022. Before the full-scale invasion, she worked as a reform manager at Suspilne, Ukraine’s public broadcaster, and led educational projects in remote villages across the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

• dead
• military
• Lviv

The program’s mission is to support women serving in the Ukrainian Defense Forces, including those in combat zones, as well as female veterans and women who have returned from russian captivity. Support is provided through care, community building, and a safe space for recovery.

At the NGO Zemliachky, they believe that psycho-emotional recovery is not a luxury, but a necessity. In the mountains, surrounded by nature and among those with similar experiences, these defenders can finally breathe, release the tensions of war, and reconnect with themselves.

Since the NGO Zemliachky was founded, 270 female defenders and veterans have completed the rehabilitation program. Trips are led by the team and combine group recovery practices (singing, pottery, woodcarving), physical and relaxation exercises, outdoor activities (hiking and light sports), informal discussions, and shared experiences, alongside time for rest, silence, and recuperation.

• military
• psychological support
• women

Ivan Kucher dreamed of a military career from a young age. While he was completing his mandatory service, russia occupied Crimea and attacked Ukraine’s eastern regions. His family hoped he would be kept away from the front line, but Ivan had other plans; as soon as his mandatory service ended, he signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He told his mother he was undergoing training, even as he was already fighting russian forces in the Luhansk region.

After his contract expired, Ivan settled in Kyiv. However, following the start of the full-scale russian invasion, he rejoined his former “Donbas” battalion to defend Ukraine in the east once again.

In late April 2022, Ivan was taken prisoner. Later, reports emerged that he might have been killed, though his military unit refuted this information and officially declared him missing in action.

Released Ukrainian prisoners recounted hearing about Ivan Kucher while in russian detention, though they had not seen him personally. In February 2023, his mother spotted him in a piece of russian propaganda footage and provided the material to the Red Cross and the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

Ivan spent 1,388 days in captivity and was finally returned home on February 5, 2025, as part of a prisoner exchange. He is currently awaiting a medical clearance from the Military Medical Commission to return to service.

Interviews with Ivan Kucher can be arranged both online and in person in the Lviv region by prior appointment.

• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Lviv

NGO “Zemliachky” together with the Easy Drive driving school have launched a free training program for female service members and veterans. The initiative was created to help defenders gain new knowledge, master a profession, and expand opportunities for further employment. Within the framework of the program, participants can choose one of three directions:

• free training in traffic laws (5 spots for an offline course in Kyiv and 5 spots for an online course monthly). After successfully passing the theoretical exam, participants also receive a 2,000 UAH discount on practical training;
• free training as a traffic law instructor with subsequent internship and employment opportunities;
• free training as a driving instructor with the possibility of acquiring a new profession.

Reference: The program is part of the systematic work of NGO Zemliachky, aimed at supporting defenders not only during their service, but also in matters of professional development, adaptation, and creating new career opportunities.

• military
• women
• Kyiv

The program of this year’s festival includes discussions and public conversations, excursions and musical performances, theatrical and music-poetic performances. The festival participants and speakers are Oksana Zabuzhko, Serhiy Zhadan, Yuliia “Taira” Paievska, Pavlo Kazarin, Vakhtang Kipiani, Kateryna Kalytko, Mariana Sadovska, Svitlana Povaliayeva, Sasha Koltsova, Valeriy Puzik, Anton Slepakov, The Harmyder Theater, and the band Zhadan i Sobaky.

On the opening day of the festival, July 3, a press briefing for the media will take place on the lawn of Protasiv Yar with the participation of organizers and guests. Immediately after the briefing, the official opening will take place with an introductory speech by Oksana Zabuzhko.

Media accreditation is required.

Reference: The Protasiv Yar festival was founded in memory of public activist and scout of the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Brigade, Roman Ratushnyi (call sign Seneka).

• culture
• dead
• military
• Kyiv

On July 5, a tournament in memory of Maksym Kahal — Hero of Ukraine and platoon commander in the “Azov” Regiment (now the 12th Special Purpose Brigade of the NGU “Azov”) — will take place in Kyiv. Maksym was a world kickboxing champion. The soldier died during the defense of Mariupol and “Azovstal” as a result of a russian aerial bomb. Maksym lived for sports and the Ukrainian military — the soldier joined “Azov” in 2015. He taught his fellow soldiers kickboxing and CrossFit. 

The tournament is timed to the soldier’s birthday. Everyone interested can join the event. 

The mother of the fallen serviceman will be present at the tournament.

• dead
• military
• Kyiv

On June 27, a peaceful action titled “Voices of Silence” will take place in Bucha, Kyiv Oblast. Every day, hundreds of Ukrainian families live in painful anticipation of news from their loved ones who are in captivity or reported missing. This action serves as a poignant reminder that we remember everyone and continue to wait for their return home.

• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv