Themes by tag: military

For 23 years, Viktor Penkovyi served as a military pilot, dedicating his life to protecting Ukraine. When russia launched its all-out invasion, he answered the call to defend his homeland. Tragically, Viktor lost his life during a combat mission.  

His wife, Svitlana Penkova, was devastated by the loss. The grief left her struggling to find her footing. At times, the emotional and physical toll was overwhelming—she would spend days confined to her home, unable to even embrace her child due to the sheer weight of her pain.  

A year after Viktor’s passing, Svitlana channeled her grief into action. She founded the Reborn NGO, an organization dedicated to supporting the families of fallen heroes. She also began writing, pouring her emotions into a book that would honor her husband’s legacy. The result was Ukrainian Hummingbirds, a heartfelt tribute to Viktor.  

Through her work, Svitlana hopes to send a powerful message: even in the aftermath of profound loss, it is possible to find a new purpose while preserving the memory of those we hold dear.  

Journalists can arrange to meet Svitlana in Vinnytsia or Kyiv, or communicate with her online.  

For reference: The Children of Heroes charity foundation currently supports the Penkova family. The foundation assists children who have lost one or both parents due to russia’s invasion, providing financial aid, psychological and legal support, and fostering their education and development until adulthood.

• dead
• military
• women
• Kyiv
• Vinnytsia

The “Blyzki” initiative provides a space where relatives of service members and veterans can receive career development support: identifying growth directions, completing training, creating updated resumes, and preparing for job interviews. In the process, participants can connect with a community of peers who understand their experiences.

Participants can receive 2-3 months of training in a new profession, learn English, get information on starting their own business, participate in creative workshops, sports classes, and sessions for physical and mental recovery. All activities will take place offline, as the organizers believe this will foster closer relationships and better communication.

The project was launched in early 2024, first in Kyiv and later in Lviv. It welcomes partners, close relatives of military personnel, veterans, and service members in recovery.

Journalists can cover the project in Kyiv or Lviv by prior arrangement.

Background:

The “Blyzki” initiative was created by Maryna Baturynets, founder of the Bazilik School of Communications. It was inspired by a joint project between Bazilik and Veteran Hub — a communication course for military families. This course highlighted the need for education and, more importantly, interaction with people who share similar experiences.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv
• Lviv

Andrii Smyk, a professional military sniper, dedicated many years to service, taking part in combat operations from 2014 to 2020. He rejoined active duty shortly before the full-scale invasion, defending the Kyiv oblast before moving to protect the Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts. During his service, he suffered several injuries and concussions. In 2023, he returned to his hometown of Irpin for health reasons.

Inspired by childhood memories of his grandfather Mykola, a skilled woodworker, Andrii founded the eco-friendly workshop “Funny Owls” in the summer of 2024.

Together with his team, they create kitchenware, children’s toys, phone stands, candle holders, puzzles, alphabet sets and custom-made items. Discounts are available on all orders for military personnel and their families.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

Oleksandr Laptii, a 50-year-old Ukrainian actor known for his roles in films like The Rising Hawk, The Fight Rules, and Cherkasy, has taken on a prominent role in the sequel to the cult video game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. A longtime fan of the game series, Laptii was invited by the casting team to contribute as a model for 3D animation, bringing one of the game’s central characters to life. Filming began in early 2022 but was abruptly halted after just a few days due to russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In the summer of 2023, Laptii joined the 12th Azov Special Forces Brigade, where he earned the call sign “Sei.” Despite his new military role, he received permission from his commanders later that year to resume his work on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. Production restarted in November, and Laptii rejoined the team to complete his contributions.

On November 20, after a 15-year wait, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 was finally released to fans worldwide.

Laptii is available for interviews, both online and in person, with prior approval from Azov’s press service.

• culture
• military

Mariia Aleksieievych is the wife of Serhii Aleksieievych, a fighter of the Azov Brigade, which defended Mariupol from the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion until 16 May 2022. On that day, Serhii and his comrades left Azovstal on orders from their superiors and were captured by russians.

For more than two years, Mariia worked tirelessly to bring her beloved and other prisoners home. During this time, she traveled to Austria to attend an OSCE meeting on the Olenivka terrorist attack, met with Ukrainian officials, and attended weekly rallies dedicated to the defenders of Azovstal. On 18 October 2024, Serhii Aleksieievych returned to Ukraine as part of a prisoner exchange.

Mariia says she had a strong feeling that her beloved would finally come home that day. At 10.20 pm, she received a call from the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War with the long-awaited news. A few hours later, Serhii himself called her. Mariia says she still cannot believe it is not a dream and that her husband has really returned from captivity.

Serhii is currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation.

Serhii Aleksieievych is not yet ready for interviews. However, Mariia Aleksieievych is available to talk about her experiences, her work with Olenivka Community NGO and the emotional reunion with her husband after his captivity – online or in person in Kyiv or Vinnytsia by prior arrangement.

• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• women
• Kyiv
• Vinnytsia

Ivan Lavreniuk, a native of Ukraine’s Vinnytsia region, answered the call to defend his country when russia launched its full-scale invasion. Volunteering for service, he joined the airborne assault troops and became part of the 71st Separate Jaeger Brigade. Stationed near Avdiivka, Ivan faced relentless combat. In March 2024, while returning from an assault, he was caught in a mortar strike. The blast left him permanently blind. Ivan recalls knowing instantly what had happened. He checked his arms and legs, confirmed they were intact, and began crawling back to safety.  

The road to recovery was far from easy. Psychological rehabilitation posed significant challenges, but the unwavering support of family and friends helped Ivan rebuild his life. His physical recovery progressed quickly, thanks to a lifelong passion for sports. It was this passion that led Ivan to try out for Ukraine’s national team at the Invictus Games. He is now preparing to compete in powerlifting, athletics, and swimming.

For those interested in meeting Ivan Lavreniuk, he is available for conversations in Vinnytsia, with prior arrangements possible either online or in person.

• casualties
• military
• Vinnytsia

Oksana Smirnova, a resident of Irpin in the Kyiv region, faced an unimaginable tragedy when her son, Serhii, stayed behind to defend their hometown during the early days of russia’s full-scale invasion. Serhii was killed in the Battle of Irpin on his birthday—March 25, 2022. 

In the wake of her loss, Oksana, a former designer, turned to art therapy as a way to heal and help others. She established a safe space for women affected by the war, where they could find solace through creative expression. At her workshops, participants craft three-dimensional toys, woolen paintings, and drawings. The handmade items are sold at fairs supporting the families of fallen soldiers, with all proceeds donated to the siblings of the deceased.

The community Oksana has built includes women who have lost loved ones at the front, those with husbands fighting on the frontlines, and displaced women seeking a sense of connection.

Journalists can arrange to speak with Oksana either in Irpin or virtually. Her next workshop is tentatively set for next week.

• dead
• military
• women
• Kyiv

Violetta and Oleh Nahornyi spent their lives in Vinnytsia, where Oleh worked in the building materials business and Violetta taught voice lessons. Together, they raised three children—a son and two daughters. Their peaceful life was shattered by the onset of the full-scale invasion, which destroyed their sense of security and shattered their plans for the future.

On the very first day of the all-out invasion, Oleh enlisted in the Territorial Defense Forces, determined to protect his family. Tragically, on May 14, 2024, he was fatally wounded while attempting to rescue his injured comrades.

A combat medic who was with Oleh in his final moments shared that the fallen soldier’s thoughts were with his family. “He asked me to tell you that he loves Violetta and the children very much, and to raise his youngest son—with dignity—as he is a spitting image of his father.” Official reports list Oleh as missing, but his family knows the heartbreaking truth: he died in the line of duty.

Violetta, once an aspiring composer, had set aside her music as the war took hold. However, after losing Oleh, she felt compelled to write a song in his honor. The piece was completed for his birthday, but she dedicated it not only to him but to all women who have lost their heroes in the war.

For reference: The Children of Heroes charity foundation is currently supporting Violetta and her children. The organization helps children who have lost one or both parents to the war, offering financial assistance, psychological and legal support, and promoting their education and well-being until they come of age.

• children
• dead
• military
• women
• Vinnytsia

Alla Senchenko is both a skilled tailor and a dedicated soldier. She joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2018, serving for three years before her initial contract ended. When russia launched its full-scale invasion, Alla wasted no time and reported to the military recruitment office, where she was mobilized as a rifleman.

In May 2022, while defending Lyman in the Donetsk region, she was captured by russian forces. Held in captivity for eight months and 11 days, Alla recalls relying solely on her faith and hope to endure. On February 4, 2023, she was finally released and returned to Ukraine. After completing her rehabilitation in late March, Alla was able to reunite with her family, whom she had not seen since the war began.

Today, Alla works at the Lutsk Territorial Center of Recruitment and Social Support. Alongside her current role, she dreams of designing clothing for soldiers and remains steadfast in her hope for Ukraine’s victory.

For those interested, Alla Senchenko is available for conversations both online and in person, by prior arrangement.

• military
• prisoners
• women
• Lutsk

Peaceful demonstrations will take place in 26 cities across Ukraine to draw attention to prisoners of war and missing persons, including the Azovstal defenders and other military personnel still held in enemy captivity.

On November 9, rallies are planned in Okhtyrka, Pavlohrad, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Irpin, Dnipro, and Zaporizhia. The following day, November 10, events will be held in Kyiv, Pivdennoukrainsk, Mykolaiv, Uman, Cherkasy, Poltava, Uzhhorod, Korosten, Obukhiv, Krolevets, Ovruch, Korostyshiv, Kremenchuk, Odesa, Ostroh, and Chernivtsi.

These gatherings aim to remind the public of the ongoing plight of those in captivity and rally support for their release.

• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv