Themes by tag: military

Myroslav Kobylianskyi, a veteran who enlisted in 2012. Serving since March 2015 in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) and subsequently in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) in eastern Ukraine, he witnessed the onset of the war in Mariupol. His unit engaged in combat until redeployment, facing the challenges of repelling a full-scale Russian invasion.

Myroslav Kobylianskyi, a native of Kolomyia, has adopted Mariupol as his second home. Even prior to the all-out invasion, Kobylianskyi had a passion for photography, initially snapping shots on his phone before upgrading to a camera. Venturing into aerial photography in 2020, he utilized a drone to compile an extensive archive of Mariupol’s imagery. Although he kept his work private before the eruption of war, following February 24, 2022, his wife encouraged him to assemble a photo book, aptly titled “My Mariupol and the World Around.” Kobylianskyi self-funded the project, supplemented by contributions from friends and patrons, distributing copies to 35 countries. Subsequently, exhibitions featuring his work were held in the United States, Australia, and Ukraine, all stemming from the photo book. Despite his ongoing military service, Kobylianskyi maintains his passion for photography, entertaining the possibility of a future project centered on the Donetsk region’s frontline and surrounding areas. 

For reference: Myroslav Kobylianskyi remains stationed at the front line and is available for interviews with journalists, both online and in-person, with prior arrangement.

• culture
• military

Anhelina has been serving in the Defense Forces for five years. In the army, she received the call sign “Max” and prefers to be addressed this way. In addition, Anhelina uses two pronouns: both he and she.

Now “Max” is 23 years old. When the full-scale invasion started the comms specialist’s contract with the army was completed. However, already on February 25, “Max” was at the Recruitment Office, ready to return to military service. The soldier claims that within over 2 years since the beginning of the full-scale war, there has been a noticeable progress in tolerance towards the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition, “Max” is a member of LGBT-military NGO and the administrator of the Sisters in Arms chat for LGBT military women.

For reference: “Max” is on the front line and is ready to communicate with journalists both online and offline, by prior arrangement.

• military
• LGBT

Georgian-born Rusudana Pavlichenko, found herself abroad attending her father’s funeral as the full-scale invasion unfolded. Her history with conflict traces back to childhood when, at the tender age of 10, she fled her first conflict, the war in Abkhazia, seeking refuge in Ukraine. Since then, she has called Ukraine home, living here throughout her adult years.

Rusudana’s husband, Serhii Pavlichenko, a stalwart defender of Ukraine against occupiers since 2014, bravely held the defense of Azovstal during the full-scale invasion before being captured. Tragically, he fell victim to a terrorist attack in Olenivka, a village within the occupied territory of Donetsk region, on the night of July 28-29, 2022. Left behind are their two children, Adelia, 10, and Nazar, 8.

Journalists seeking to delve into Rusudana’s story can arrange interviews with her in Cherkasy or online, by prior arrangement. 

Meanwhile, the Children of Heroes charity foundation has stepped in to support the grieving family. Dedicated to aiding children who have lost parents due to russia’s full-scale invasion, the foundation offers financial aid, psychological counseling, legal assistance, and ongoing educational opportunities until the children reach adulthood.

For reference: In the late hours of July 29, 2022, russia executed a terrorist assault, igniting an explosion within a barracks at the Olenivka penal colony, where Ukrainian prisoners of war were detained. The attack resulted in the tragic loss of at least 50 Azovstal workers amidst the turmoil.

• dead
• military
• occupation
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• women
• Cherkasy
• Mariupol

At the briefing, among other things, the participants will discuss how to rescue the fighters of the “Azov” brigade from captivity: what is already being done, and what still needs doing. In particular, they will talk about the prisoners of war who were injured during the terrorist attack in Olenivka, because their fate still remains unknown, and the Day of Remembrance for the defenders killed in Olenivka has not been officially allocated yet.

Participants:

Maria Alieksieievych — representative “Olenivka Families Community” NGO, wife of a twice-wounded defender of Mariupol;

Hanna Lobova — representative “Olenivka Families Community” NGO, the wife of a twice-wounded defender of Mariupol;

Anastasia Hondiul — representative “Olenivka Families Community” NGO “, the wife of a twice-wounded defender of Mariupol;

Tetiana Katrychenko — representative of the Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIHR),

Andrii Yakovlev — MIHR representative.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv

On May 6, veteran Serhii Khrapko, who was seriously injured in 2015 when he lost his left arm and left leg, will go on a one-day walking marathon from Kyiv to Boryspil using a prosthesis. The goal is to raise funds to pay for the continuation of the rehabilitation of Oleksandr Nadtochyi, who was seriously injured in 2022 near Bakhmut. The required amount is UAH 650,000.

Serhii believes that he will be able to collect the required amount on the way to Boryspil, if not, he will be forced to make the return journey.

For reference: This is not Serhii Khrapko’s first walking marathon. In May 2023, together with his brother Oleksandr Shvetsov (a veteran with a prosthetic leg), they walked the distance from Zhytomyr to Kyiv to collect money for a gastroscope for the reception department of a Kyiv hospital. They were awarded by the National Register of Records of Ukraine for this achievement.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Anna Ziablikova is from Kharkiv. Even before the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Anna had attained a higher education in molecular biology. As a graduate, her studies delved into vertebrate zoology, with a particular focus on bats. After completing her studies in 2020, Anna applied for a scholarship under the Erasmus Mundus international program. She won and went abroad to study tropical ecology and biodiversity. The master’s program was divided between several European universities, so the girl moved every semester. The news that russia had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine reached Anna in Belgium.

Anna returned to the Motherland a few months after the big war started and volunteered at the Lviv train station by helping doctors and packing supplies for the military. Anna’s beloved joined the army in March 2022, and he sent her a message that the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade “Magura” was recruiting volunteers, which is where Anna eventually joined. At first, she was a clerk, but for the past six months, Anna has been serving in the brigade’s medical company. She is a nurse-gunner with the evacuation crew and at the stabilization post. In addition, Anna takes care of wounded servicemen who can’t perform their duties, in particular, she helps them deal with the necessary documents.

For reference: Anna Ziablikova is on the front line. The military woman is ready to communicate with journalists, both online and offline, by prior arrangement.

• doctors
• military
• women

Alona Kyryliuk is from Kharkiv region, and she currently lives in Poltava region. She is the mother of two children: 11-year-old Anastasiia and Timur, who is only one year old. The woman is a military officer.

Alona’s husband, Denys, is a lieutenant colonel, a fighter pilot (Deputy Squadron Commander, Squadron Flight Navigator). The man was called to duty on the night of February 23-24, 2022. He asked his wife to stay at home with the daughter. Later, Alona heard the first explosions.

Denis flew over 80 sorties. He was awarded the Order “For Courage” of the third class, as well as the “Firearms” award of the Ministry of Defense. The man died on March 27, 2023 while performing a combat mission. The enemy shot down his plane over Chernihiv region. The pilot was taking the plane away from a settlement and did not have time to eject.

By prior agreement, journalists can talk to Alona Kyryliuk in Poltava region or in Kyiv.

For reference: Currently, the family is being cared for by the Children of Heroes Charity Fund. It helps children who lost one or both parents as a result of russia’s full-scale invasion. The fund provides financial assistance, psychological and legal support, and helps with the education and development of children until they reach adulthood.

• children
• dead
• military
• women
• Kyiv
• Poltava

The press team of the Azov Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine extends an invitation to collaborate with foreign journalists to cover the noteworthy events slated for May. With russian propaganda ramping up efforts to smear Ukrainian defense forces, providing impartial coverage of frontline combat operations and accurate information about Ukrainian units becomes crucial in thwarting russian aggression. The Azov Brigade has long been a prime target of russian disinformation campaigns. 

The Azov Brigade’s press office is eager to facilitate both online and in-person interviews, including the possibility of arranging journalist embeds at the frontlines.

• military

Yakiv Tkachenko is a professional theater and film actor. He acted in the most expensive film in Ukraine’s history Dovbush, as well as in a number of films, such as Escape From Stalin’s Death Camp, Once Upon a Time in Ukraine and the Strayed.

On March 1, 2022, Yakiv signed up for the army. At first, he joined the Dnipro Territorial Defense Forces, and later he served in Vuhledar as a member of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In August 2022, an enemy sniper shot Yakiv, the bullet hit the soldier in the neck and mouth. At that time, doctors assumed that Yakiv could completely lose his voice, however, within a month of treatment, the soldier returned to the front line. Yakiv received his next wound when he came under the fire of an enemy tank. The soldier was taken to Dnipro for treatment and rehabilitation. Already after the injury, Yakiv acted in the Ukrainian TV series In Her Car, but he plans to return to the service again.

For reference: Yakiv Tkachenko is in Dnipro. The serviceman is ready to communicate with journalists, both online and offline, by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Dnipro

On April 27, the “Strong 300” fun run obstacle course will be held in Kyiv to support war veterans, wounded soldiers and facilitate patriotic education of youth.

The purpose of the event is to popularize the benefits of sports and give children the opportunity to communicate directly with those who went through combat at the front via the unique “veteran + child” race format. It is also supposed to have a therapeutic effect on veterans and wounded soldiers.

Categories and distances:

• Individual race for adults/children, 1 km;
• Individual race for adults/children, 5 km;
• Pair race for adult + child, 3 km.

Each of the registered participants will receive a “STRONG 300” commemorative medal. To participate in the race, it is necessary to pay a charity contribution, the collected funds will be used to purchase sports equipment for the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers and veterans.

Various activities are also planned during the event (artifacts of war exhibition, disassembly/assembly of various types of (dummy) weapons, master classes on tactical medicine basics, etc.).

• casualties
• children
• military
• psychological support
• Kyiv