Themes by tag: military

In 2004, Vasyl Shtefko, a native of Zakarpattia, lost both his legs while working in russia. Since the accident, he has relied on prosthetic limbs and lives with a first-grade disability. Yet, despite these challenges, Vasyl’s resolve remained unshaken.

When russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Vasyl didn’t hesitate. He reported to the Territorial Recruitment Center, concealing his use of prostheses to join the military. Successfully enlisting, he became a member of the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade “Zakarpattia”, serving alongside his comrades on the Zaporizhia front.

After six months of intense combat, Vasyl’s health deteriorated, forcing him to step down from active duty and return home. However, his commitment to Ukraine’s defense did not end there. 

Back in Zakarpattia, Vasyl remains deeply involved in supporting the military as a volunteer though.

Vasyl Shtefko is available in Zakarpattia for interviews with journalists, both online and in person, by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Uzhhorod

Before the full-scale invasion, Kostiantyn Frolov worked as an international trainer for a cosmetics company and taught in Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine.

Kostiantyn planned to join the army in 2022. He finally went through with his decision after his mother, who lives in occupied Crimea, sided with the aggressor country. Nowadays, Kostiantyn does not communicate with his mother.

The man is undergoing training in the capital and is preparing to become a UAV operator. Kostiantyn’s brothers in arms know about his orientation and treat him with respect.

Kostiantyn Frolov is undergoing training in the capital. The man is ready to communicate with journalists, both online and in person.

• military
• Kyiv
• LGBT

The BuhurtSich project is leveraging the medieval sport of buhurt to bolster the psychological well-being of Ukrainian military personnel. Buhurt, a team sport that simulates knightly combat in full armor or protective gear, has proven to be not only visually striking but also therapeutically beneficial, as evidenced by its impact in other countries.

In the U.S., many participants in buhurt have been former military members who credit the sport with helping them manage PTSD, overcome substance abuse, and even stave off suicidal tendencies. Beyond its physical demands, buhurt fosters a strong sense of community.

The BuhurtSich project has been active for over 10 months, attracting 171 participants to its training sessions. Among them, one veteran has even taken up blacksmithing to learn the craft of armor-making.

Journalists are invited to explore and report on this innovative initiative in Kyiv.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• psychological support
• Kyiv

Before the start of the full-scale invasion, 50-year-old theater and film actor Oleksandr Laptii acted in a number of Ukrainian films. In particular, he had roles in The Rising Hawk, The Fight Rules and Cherkasy. Shortly before the start of the big war, Oleksandr received an invitation from S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 casting director to participate in the creation of its sequel. Oleksandr, as a fan of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. universe, immediately agreed and his appearance was used for a 3D model of one of the game’s key characters. Before February 2022, the team had managed only a few shooting days.

With the beginning of the invasion, the project was put on hold, and in the summer of 2023, Oleksandr joined the army and became a fighter of the 12th Special Operations Brigade Azov, where he received the callsign “Sei.” However, in November of the same year, work on the sequel resumed, and Oleksandr received permission from the command to get back to work on his character.

Oleksandr Laptii is ready to communicate with journalists, both online and in person, upon prior agreement and coordination with the Azov press service.

• culture
• military

Since childhood, Dmytro Stepnov has been passionate about rowing yawls—small boats with multiple pairs of oars. In 2018, he began sharing his love for the sport with others in Mariupol, where he formed a team and even led them to compete in local events.

With the onset of the full-scale invasion, Dmytro and his team narrowly escaped russian-occupied Mariupol, seeking refuge in Dnipro. Undeterred by the upheaval, Dmytro started anew. He constructed a modern yawl and resumed training sessions.

In a heartening twist, a rehabilitation center from Odesa partnered with him, proposing a unique initiative: offering rowing classes to soldiers who had lost limbs on the front lines. Today, this inspiring program is available at no cost in Dnipro, Odesa, and Kyiv. The initiative has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with soldiers not only finding a physical outlet but also competing in rowing competitions as part of their rehabilitation journey.

Currently based in Dnipro, Dmytro Stepnov is open to sharing his story with journalists, whether in person or via virtual interviews, upon request.

• casualties
• military
• Dnipro
• Kyiv
• Odesa

From August 9 to 11, the Kolochava village in Zakarpattia Oblast will host a special festival blending ecology and cinema in honor of the late soldier Roman Zhuk. 

Organized by the CHYSTO.DE NGO, this event will feature a diverse lineup of activities including ecological awareness, film education, screenings, and tourism. The Eco Film Festival will engage attendees through hands-on workshops where young participants will create videos about nature and produce stop-motion animations highlighting the impact of waste on wildlife, guided by professional directors. The festival will also offer open-air film screenings, lectures, masterclasses with industry experts, and discussions on pressing environmental issues.

Roman Zhuk, who passionately advocated for environmental preservation, envisioned a grand festival like this one. Before his untimely death in May 2022, Zhuk, who was serving as a scout with the 128th separate mountain assault brigade, and his wife had organized numerous eco-picnics at the Vilshany Reservoir, a location marred by litter. Following his death, more than 20 tons of garbage were removed from the reservoir to uphold Zhuk’s legacy in tribute to his dedication.

For reference: For several years, the CHYSTO.DE team has been effectively cleaning up the Carpathians, participating in environmental protection efforts, and promoting environmental education.

• culture
• dead
• ecology
• military

The idea for ​​the project came to the writer Serhiy Zhadan (now he serves in the “Khartiia” (Charter) 13th brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine) even before the beginning of the full-scale invasion when he worked at the volunteer radio “Tryzub FM” (Trident FM). That is when he realized the importance of communication between the military and civilians, between the rear and the front. Therefore, after the mobilization, Zhadan returned to the idea of ​​a media platform, which will make the voices of the vanguard heard. The first guests of the radio show included: paramedic Yuliia “Taira” Paievska, commander of the “Khartiia” brigade, colonel of NGU Ihor Leskiv and frontman of the band “Pyrig and Batig” Marjan Pyrozhok. Episodes of the traveling show “Radio Khartiia” will be released once a week. Each episode will be broadcast from a new location and with new guests.

The authors of the traveling “Radio Khartiia” project are ready to communicate with journalists, both online and in person, by prior agreement.

• culture
• military

The 13th Operational Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine has launched a photo project titled “Women of the Khartiia,” highlighting the roles of female defenders. Among those featured are Svitlana “Chuma” (Plague) a 25-year-old sanitary instructor with the Khartiia brigade’s drone strike unit, and Iryna “Hera,” a 22-year-old UAV operator. Before the large-scale invasion, Chuma managed a motorcycle parts and equipment store. She has since transitioned to a combat medic role, training soldiers in life-saving techniques on the battlefield. Hera, previously employed in social media management, now operates drones. 

Both Chuma and Hera are stationed on the front lines and are available for interviews with journalists, by prior arrangement.

• culture
• military
• women

Aiden Aslin, originally from the UK, never served in the British military. His journey into conflict began in 2015, when, at 21, he traveled to Syria and spent a year and a half there. 

His interest in Ukraine led him to follow events in the East, and in 2018, he enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the 137th Marine Battalion of the 35th Brigade. He later transferred to the 1st Battalion of the 36th Marine Brigade, where he served for nearly four years. Aslin found himself in Mariupol during the full-scale invasion, where his unit was encircled for over a month. Captured by russian forces, he endured six months in captivity, during which he faced allegations of mercenarism, terrorism, and attempting to overthrow Donetsk’s “constitutional order,” leading to a death sentence. Subjected to torture, he despaired of ever returning home.

In September 2022, Aslin was released in a prisoner swap. After receiving psychological support in the UK, he has returned to Ukraine and now serves with the International Legion of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. 

Aslin is available for interviews by prior arrangement, both online and in person.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes

Tamara Koriahina and her husband, Serhii Mykhailenko, both hail from Mariupol. In 2019, Serhii enlisted in the Azov unit, which has since been absorbed into Ukraine’s National Guard.

When the full-scale invasion began, Serhii, who had been training in the Lviv region, returned to Mariupol to defend their home. Meanwhile, Tamara endured the relentless russian shelling, struggling to survive in the besieged city.

On March 18, 2022, Tamara managed to escape. She later discovered that, in early April, Serhii had suffered a shrapnel wound. Tragically, he was unable to undergo surgery due to a shortage of medical supplies.

Tamara last heard from her husband on May 16, 2022: he informed her that he had received orders to surrender and added, “See you soon, get ready for the wedding.” Tamara says this message has sustained her for the past three years. During this period, she has not received any letters from him and has only seen him in russian propaganda videos. She is convinced that her husband is being tortured in the Polar Wolf penal colony in Siberia, where he is currently held. Before being transferred there, Serhii underwent an illegal trial in occupied Donetsk and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

In June 2024, Tamara joined a delegation of POWs’ wives who appealed to the Pope for assistance in securing the release of Ukrainians unlawfully detained in russia. 

Tamara Koriahina resides in Dnipro. Serhii Mykhailenkos’s wife is willing to speak with journalists, both online and offline, by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• women
• Dnipro