Themes by tag: military

When russia launched its first attack on Ukraine in 2014, 19-year-old Kostiantyn, call sign “The American”, was living in New Jersey. But instead of staying in the United States, he made the life-changing decision to return to Ukraine and enlist in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, heading straight to the front lines.

At the time, many of Kostiantyn’s friends—Ukrainian football fans—had already joined the early volunteer battalions. Without hesitation, Kostiantyn followed them into the Luhansk region, though his family didn’t learn of his decision until he was already deployed.

Over the course of ten years in service, Kostiantyn has held various positions within the military. He currently serves with the Marines, specializing in FPV drones. According to him, 8 out of 10 of the drones he operates successfully hit their targets. Kostiantyn says his role in the military is both his job and his passion.

Now stationed at the front, Kostiantyn is available for interviews, both online and in person, by prior arrangement and approval from the press officer.

• military

Olena Lehenchuk, a native of Zhytomyr and mother of four, moved to Spain with her children six years ago. When the full-scale war began, she began volunteering and later became a chaplain (military priest). Now Olena divides her time between Ukraine and Spain, returning to see her children.

Olena serves as a volunteer chaplain. Her duties include providing pastoral care to soldiers, but as she explains, her role has expanded significantly. In addition to spiritual guidance, she provides psychological support.

Chaplain Olena organizes retreats for soldiers and their families, holds weekly meetings for soldiers’ wives, and provides counseling for veterans and those returning from captivity. She also provides general support to the wives of POWs and visits widows.

By prior arrangement, interviews with Olena can be conducted in Kyiv or Poltava, as well as online.

• military
• religion
• women
• Kyiv
• Poltava

Nelli Chorba is 22 years old. When the full-scale war began, she was in her third year of studying acting at the Ivan Karpenko-Kary National University of Theatre, Cinema and Television in Kyiv. Nelli says she dreamed of performing on stage. She also writes songs, including some she wrote during the war.

Nelli’s path to the Armed Forces of Ukraine began as a volunteer. On February 28, 2022, she and a friend joined a volunteer center, where they first worked in the kitchen. But Nelli wanted to do more. Today, she serves as a senior mortar gunner with the rank of senior soldier.

In almost three years in the army, Nelli has experienced a lot. She says she connects more easily with her comrades in the mortar battery than with people she interacted with before the war.

By prior arrangement, it is possible to speak with Nelli online, subject to the approval of the press officer.

• military
• women

The Kyiv Regional State Administration’s Department of Youth and Sports has launched several initiatives to support veterans through sports and recreational programs. A key focus is on adaptive sports clubs designed to aid the rehabilitation of veterans, active-duty military personnel, individuals with disabilities, and their families. Six such clubs, known as “Active Parks — Unstoppable” program, are currently operating across the Kyiv region.

These clubs provide visitors with access to specialized equipment and certified trainers skilled in working with diverse groups. Participants can engage in activities like swimming, fitness, jiu-jitsu, general physical training, and archery.

Over the past year, more than 500 veterans have received rehabilitation services at these adaptive sports clubs in the Kyiv region, highlighting their growing impact on the community.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Before russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 22-year-old Danylo and his father, Serhii, lived in Kryvyi Rih, working as truck drivers. But their lives changed drastically in June 2022 when Serhii was mobilized into the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Not long after, Danylo began volunteering alongside his father’s unit in the Kherson region.

By March 2023, Danylo decided to officially enlist, choosing to serve in his father’s unit to remain by his side. Now, the two work together as part of an evacuation crew, risking their lives to transport wounded soldiers from the front lines. Serhii says having his son with him provides the strength he needs to stay in the fight until Ukraine secures victory.

Looking ahead, Serhii hopes to return to his life as a truck driver, while Danylo dreams of launching his own business after the war.

Interviews with Danylo and Serhii are available both online and in person, pending prior approval from the press officer. Journalists must hold accreditation from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.

• casualties
• military
• evacuation

Oleksandr Kovalchuk is 47 years old and a veteran of the russian-Ukrainian war. He has been working as a teacher at a private kindergarten in Zhytomyr for almost six months.

In the fall of 2022, Oleksandr was drafted and served in the Donetsk oblast. In 2023 he was injured, lost 50% of his hearing and suffered a concussion. Due to his health condition he was discharged from military service. After that he underwent rehabilitation. Oleksandr is also a member of a Ukrainian veterans organization.

Currently, the veteran works with children, conducting creative and sports activities in the kindergarten. He also helps take care of the children by helping them dress and feed themselves.

Kseniia Lavrina, the director of the private kindergarten, explains that the goal of this initiative is to create a positive image of veterans in the eyes of the public.

The private kindergarten where Oleksandr now works was co-owned by Kseniia Lavrina and Artem Sachuk. According to Kseniia, Artem was the one who came up with the idea of having men do half of the teaching. Later he supported the inclusion of veterans in the process. Artem Sachuk voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and tragically died on the front lines on November 26, 2023.

• children
• military
• Zhytomyr

Before russia’s full-scale invasion, Olena Totel led a thriving career as an editor-in-chief at regional TV stations in Odesa and Dnipro. By February 2022, she was preparing to launch a new media project, but the war upended her plans, leaving her jobless and uncertain about the future.  

Initially, Olena left Ukraine for safety, but by July 2022, she returned, determined to support the military effort. She began volunteering and, by late 2022, started considering enlistment. Committed to being combat-ready, she trained with a personal coach to build the physical endurance required for military service while seeking a unit that could utilize her expertise.  

Olena eventually joined Ukraine’s 13th Khartiia National Guard Brigade. Her original goal was to become a combat engineer, clearing mines from Ukrainian territory. However, the brigade first assigned her to its press service. She agreed, with the understanding that she would later transition to a combat role.  

Today, Olena “Baroko” Totel is on the front lines, operating FPV drones to destroy enemy equipment. Interviews with Olena can be arranged both online and in person upon prior request.  

• military
• women

Brothers “Belsk” and “Ryzhyi” traded civilian life for military service when russia’s full-blown war broke out. At the time, Belsk was running a construction business in Poland, while Ryzhyi mobilized in the early days of the war. Just three weeks later, Belsk joined his brother’s unit, committing to the fight alongside him.  

The siblings now serve as artillerymen in the 60th Separate Mechanized Inhulets Brigade. Operating a self-propelled artillery system nicknamed “Khortytsia,” the brothers have been inseparable from the machine since the war began. Together, they’ve deployed to critical hotspots, including Zaporizhia, the Kherson region, and most recently, the Donetsk sector.  

Beyond their military duties, the brothers have gained attention as TikTok creators, documenting their experiences on the battlefield. Their short videos have attracted over 30,000 followers, offering a unique glimpse into life as artillerymen in Ukraine’s ongoing fight for sovereignty.  

Interviews with Ryzhyi and Belsk can be arranged online or in person with prior approval from a press officer. Journalists must also hold accreditation from the Defense Ministry to gain access.

• military

Yulian Pylypei, a seasoned Ukrainian Marine, endured unimaginable hardships during his more than two years in captivity. A professional soldier since 2013, Pylypei joined the Marines in 2017, serving in Mariupol. When russia launched its full-scale invasion, he was leading a mortar battery in the 36th Marine Brigade of the Ukrainian Navy.

On April 14, 2022, Pylypei and his comrades were captured while attempting to break through to Azovstal. His family learned of his capture through a text sent in russian from his phone. Over the next two years and five months, he was moved through several detention facilities, including Sartana, Olenivka, Taganrog, Novozybkov, Kursk, and Mordovia, before returning to Novozybkov. Each location brought its own trials, which Pylypei recounts in harrowing detail.

Twice accused and tried by his captors, Pylypei suffered relentless abuse. He was beaten for refusing to confess to ordering attacks on civilians, starved, and subjected to torture, including an attempt to burn off his tattoo of the Ukrainian coat of arms with a stun gun. In his prayers, Pylypei asked for the strength to remain sane amid the torment.

When he was taken from his cell with his belongings, Pylypei assumed he was being transferred to another prison. He could hardly believe it when he was informed he was part of a prisoner exchange. On September 13, 2024, after 29 months in captivity, Pylypei finally returned home to Ukraine.

Those wishing to meet or speak with Yulian Pylypei, either online or in person in Kyiv, can arrange it in advance.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Peaceful events are planned in 24 cities across Ukraine to raise awareness of the defenders of Azovstal and other soldiers still in enemy captivity.

On December 7, rallies will be held in Okhtyrka, Pivdenoukrainsk, Pavlohrad, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Irpin, Dnipro, and Zaporizhia.

On December 8, peaceful actions are scheduled in Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Cherkasy, Poltava, Kropyvnytskyi, Uzhhorod, Korosten, Obukhiv, Brovary, Krolevets, Ovruch, Kryvyi Rih, Ternopil, Odesa, Ostroh and Chernivtsi.

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