Themes by tag: military

Before russia’s full-scale invasion, Volodymyr Symanyshyn lived in Poland. But when the war began, he returned home to join the Ukrainian Defense Forces. In July 2023, during a combat mission, he suffered severe injuries that resulted in the amputation of both hands.

Shortly thereafter, Volodymyr’s girlfriend left him — a devastating blow on top of his physical loss. But instead of giving in to despair, he focused on rehabilitation. He started with sports and later discovered a passion for painting. Attaching a brush to his arm stump, he learned to create artwork and embraced a new form of self-expression.

In the summer of 2024, he traveled to the United States, where he received a prosthetic hand. Upon his return to Ukraine, he enrolled in the Theological Academy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, taking his first steps toward becoming a chaplain. Now, Volodymyr is preparing to dedicate his life to helping soldiers and veterans of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Journalists can arrange an interview with Volodymyr Symanyshyn both online and in person in Ternopil by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Ternopil

Fedir Samburskyi, a 29-year-old from the Donetsk oblast, was in Irpin, Kyiv Oblast, when russia launched its full-scale invasion. In the early days of the war, he volunteered to help civilians. Later, he managed to escape the occupation with his mother and sister and moved to Prykarpattia. A few weeks later he joined the army.

The veteran fought in the Donetsk and Zaporizhia oblasts and took part in the liberation of the Kherson oblast. During a combat mission in November 2023, he suffered a serious injury: an explosion from an enemy FPV drone cost him his leg, an arm, and partially his sight.

After several surgeries and nine months of rehabilitation, Fedir learned to use his prosthetics and decided to start his own business. Using the funds he received as compensation for his injury, he opened an inclusive café in Kyiv called Tytanovi — after the rehabilitation center where he received his prosthetics. The center’s founder helped him buy some of the equipment. Today, Fedir donates half of the cafe’s profits to support the Tytanovi Rehab Center.

Journalists can arrange an interview with Fedir Samburskyi both online and in person in Kyiv upon prior agreement.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

On February 18, Media Center Ukraine will host a briefing on military recruitment, focusing on how the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade attracts new enlistee and prepares them for service.

Participants:

– Dmytro Kukharchuk, head of recruitment for the 3rd Assault Brigade;

– Oleksandr Borodin, press officer of the 3rd Assault Brigade;

– Call sign “Student”, chief sergeant of the Test Week project. 

Topics of focus:

– The effectiveness of recruitment campaigns and the most successful strategies;

– The role of specialized projects in recruitment—how they work and their benefits;

– Raising public awareness about recruitment initiatives and available opportunities. 

Those interested in joining the 3rd Brigade can visit recruitment centers in Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, and Kyiv.

Recruits undergo intensive training under the guidance of experienced combat instructors. Before taking up arms, they complete a rigorous program covering tactical operations, medical preparedness, and firearms training.

For reference: The 3rd Separate Assault Brigade was established on March 9, 2022, from the Kyiv-based Azov Army’s Territorial Defense Battalion. On January 26, 2023, it was restructured into a separate assault brigade within the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

• military
• Kyiv

The soldier known by the call sign “Pinky” is just 18 years old. When russia’s full-scale invasion broke out, he was in Chernihiv, only 16 at the time. That was when he first witnessed artillery in action—and experienced the horrors of occupation. He later left for Germany but returned home after just two months.

Pinky had been fascinated by the military since childhood. Growing up, he studied weapons alongside his father, a police officer who has also been mobilized. After finishing high school, he was determined to fight. He waited until he was old enough, then joined the rear guard. Initially, he assured his commanders he would enroll in the Ukraine’s National Guard Military Academy. But when exam time came, he deliberately flunked the tests—his real goal was to transfer to a combat unit. He set his sights on the 13th Khartiia Brigade of the National Guard, known as Now, Pinky is serving on the front lines. 

Interviews with him can be arranged both online and in person, with prior coordination through the brigade’s press officer.

• military

Ivan Soroka joined the ranks of the defense forces at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. On February 24, the military draft office was recruiting soldiers for the 72nd separate mechanized brigade, named after the Black Zaporozhians — and Ivan joined them. He defended the village of Moshchun in the Kyiv oblast, and later his unit was sent to the East. In August 2022, an enemy mine exploded just a few steps away from him.

His comrade was killed instantly, while Ivan lost his sight. “Who would ever need me blind?” was the first thought that crossed his mind when he regained consciousness. His fiancée, Vladyslava, whom he met online in April 2022, answered that question for him. She visited him in the hospital during his recovery, hoping along with Ivan that his sight would return, but it never did. In September 2023, Ivan and Vladyslava got married.

Journalists can arrange to speak with Ivan Soroka online or in person in Kyiv.

• casualties
• military
• women
• Kyiv

The Doctors for Heroes charity project is dedicated to helping both military personnel and civilians by performing facial and head reconstructive surgeries following severe injuries. To date, the initiative has enrolled 240 soldiers and two civilians in its program.

Through a collaboration of surgeons and bioengineers, all medical services are provided free of charge to patients. However, the reconstruction of lost skull bones requires the creation of specialized implants. The Doctors for Heroes Charity Foundation funds the production of these implants for each participant. It raises donations from philanthropists, organizes case support throughout treatment, and ensures that funds are used responsibly and effectively.

The project is also expanding into the field of eye prosthetics and ecto prosthetics.

By prior arrangement, journalists are welcome to speak with the project’s organizers, doctors, and patients in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine.

• casualties
• doctors
• military
• Kyiv

Ihor Shyshko, a resident of Kharkiv, joined the Defense Forces at the beginning of the full-scale invasion,  although he had the opportunity to refuse to serve because he is a father of many children.

In March 2022, he was captured by russian forces. During 801 days of captivity, he endured torture, beatings, and starvation. He lost over 50 kilograms. In May 2024, Ihor was finally released in a prisoner exchange and returned home.

After his release, he founded a support center for soldiers returning from captivity or suffering from injuries.

The main goal of the “Shoulder to Shoulder” center is to help veterans reintegrate into civilian life. The center provides psychological and legal assistance, as well as various engagement programs to help veterans find new career paths in civilian life.

You can contact Ihor Shyshko either online or in person by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• psychological support
• russian crimes

From February 14 to 16, Ukrainian Railways is bringing back its “Train to You” romantic express, offering Ukrainian military personnel and their loved ones a unique railway experience.  

This year’s journey promises an unforgettable ride, with vintage steam locomotives setting the scene for a special celebration in both Kyiv and Lviv. The trip will last just over two hours, giving couples time to enjoy a private compartment with romantic music and a themed game designed for two. A charming tea party is also planned, along with special gifts for those traveling on Valentine’s Day, February 14.  

• culture
• military
• Kyiv
• Lviv

Peaceful events are planned in 25 cities across Ukraine to raise awareness of the defenders of Azovstal and other soldiers still in enemy captivity.

On February 8, rallies will be held in Ochyrka, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Irpin, Poltava, Dnipro, Zaporizhia and Pavlohrad.

On February 9, peaceful actions are scheduled in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Pivdenoukrainsk, Uman, Krolevets, Korop, Ovruch, Korosten, Kremenchuk, Uzhhorod, Mykolaiv, Ostroh, Obukhiv, Berdychiv, Chernivtsi and Kropyvnytskyi.

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.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Anastasiia Buhera was with her parents in Izium, Kharkiv oblast, when russia launched its full-scale invasion. She had come home for the holidays as she was studying at a university in Kharkiv at the time.

During the occupation, she witnessed firsthand the devastation russian forces inflicted on the captured city. She counted how many bombs were dropped on Izium every hour and understood the extreme danger of even going out to buy bread, knowing that each trip could be her last.

Anastasiia managed to escape the occupation after five months. When she returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory, she learned that her boyfriend, Kostiantyn, who had been in Mariupol defending Azovstal in February 2022, had been captured by the enemy.

The last time Anastasiia spoke to him was on April 24, 2022 – he sent her photos and videos and promised to return home. Now she waits for Kostiantyn and does everything she can to make sure the world does not forget those still held in russian captivity.

Anastasiia Buhera is available for interviews in the Kharkiv oblast, both online and in person, by prior arrangement.

• military
• occupation
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• women
• Kharkiv