Themes by tag: military

Daria Ulman is the wife of soldier Kirill Ulman, who died on February 15, 2024. At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, her husband joined the ranks of the Volunteer Territorial Community Formation in Dnipro, which was created by veterans of the 12th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine “Azov.” In December 2022, he joined the ranks of the Third Separate Assault Brigade as part of an anti-tank battalion. Kirill was killed by a sniper’s bullet.

Daria says that her husband was fascinated by military affairs. After his death, she regretted not having started training with Kirill. Within a year, Daria completed six courses and underwent two full training programs. She later created her own community that provides military training for women. She named it Community Ulman in honor of her deceased beloved.

To date, more than 80 women have completed the training, and thanks to the project, 115,000 hryvnias have been donated to Kirill’s comrades-in-arms.

Journalists will have the opportunity to cover the training.

Daria Ulman is available for interviews both online and in person in Kyiv, upon prior arrangement.

• dead
• military
• women
• Kyiv

Veterans with musculoskeletal injuries or limb amputations can take part in the “Drivers” project. The initiative aims to provide veterans with disabilities the opportunity to acquire driving skills to ensure their mobility. It also creates opportunities for employment or for using these skills in their own business or civic activities. The project was launched in June 2024 and is implemented by the NGO “Employment Center of Free People”.

The second phase of the project started this February. Around 20 veterans will join the initiative. The programme begins with theoretical classes, followed by practical training.

By prior arrangement, journalists may cover the training in Kyiv or the Kyiv region.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Five Ukrainian veterans will participate in the international open-water swimming competition Oceanman Lago d’Orta (Italy). They will compete in the 2 km and 5.5 km distances.

All members of the team are veterans with amputations and severe injuries. Each has gone through war, prolonged medical treatment, and rehabilitation. They are currently preparing for the international competition and train four times a week.

Team Members:

• Ivan Khalupa — veteran of the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade. He lost a leg in combat. Swimming became part of his systematic rehabilitation. He has experience in international competitions.

• Ihor Oliinyk — veteran of the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade. He began swimming after being wounded to restore psychological balance.

• Serhii Khrapko — lost an arm and a leg in 2015. Participant of the Invictus Games and Warrior Games. Has extensive experience in sports rehabilitation.

• Volodymyr Shanayda — was wounded in 2023. After a year of treatment, he began swimming. Oceanman will be his first international competition.

• Ihor Bystryi — combat veteran since 2016. He was wounded in 2022 by a cluster munition. After rehabilitation, he continues his sports training.

The project aims to support veterans’ participation in an international sporting event and highlight the role of sport in physical and psychological rehabilitation. It promotes the development of veteran sports and raises awareness of recovery through sport.

By prior arrangement, journalists may cover training sessions in Kyiv.

Background: The project is implemented by the charitable foundation YANKO Fund. Logistical support is provided by the concierge service FlyPoint. The team trains under the supervision of medical specialists, coaches, and rehabilitation professionals. The Oceanman organizing committee has provided the athletes with complimentary entry passes for the competition.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Kyiv

Dmytro Kanupier was serving in the 12th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine “Azov” in Mariupol when the full-scale invasion began. In April 2022, he sustained two shrapnel wounds. Together with his fellow soldiers, he defended the Azovstal steel plant.

Dmytro and his comrades discussed various possible outcomes of the battle in Mariupol, including suicide. Ultimately, in late May 2022, the fighters received orders to surrender and entered russian captivity.

Until September 26, 2022, Dmytro was held in a penal colony in Olenivka in the occupied part of Donetsk region. He was later transferred to Taganrog, russia. There, according to the serviceman, prisoners were subjected to severe beatings and torture in order to extract so-called “confessions” to fabricated crimes.

While in captivity, Dmytro was sentenced to 29 years in a high-security penal colony for a war crime he did not commit. He returned to Ukraine on October 18, 2024, as part of a prisoner exchange.

Since then, he has undergone rehabilitation, taken up sports, returned to service with Azov, and continues to speak publicly about captivity and those who remain imprisoned.

Interviews with Dmytro Kanupier are available online or in person by prior arrangement and coordination with the press service.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes

Before the full-scale invasion, Artem Sokolov worked as an assistant locomotive driver at Ukrzaliznytsia, and his passion was sport motorcycles.

With the start of the full-scale war, he joined the Territorial Defense Forces and later volunteered for the police assault brigade “Liut” (“Fury”). Artem was deployed to Donetsk region after nine months of basic military training and unit coordination. In October 2023, he went on his first combat mission. An enemy drone spotted the group, and a mine exploded near him. Artem sustained severe injuries and could only be evacuated several hours later. Doctors had to amputate both of his legs.

Artem underwent prosthetic fitting and rehabilitation. The first thing he did after returning home was get behind the wheel of a car. Later, he tried riding a friend’s motorcycle. Realizing he could successfully control it even with prosthetics, he soon bought his own bike. Today, the veteran is looking for a position within the military, as despite his disability he is determined to return to service.

Interviews with Artem Sokolov are available both online and offline in Poltava by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Poltava

In the city of Boryslav, Lviv region, Ukraine’s first winter adaptive sports center for male and female war veterans with lower-limb amputations has begun operating at the Bukovytsia ski resort.

During the first open training sessions, veterans learned the Three-Track Skiing technique — skiing on one ski using two outriggers — under the guidance of alpine skiing instructors, physical therapists, and veterans who completed certified training in the United States.

Going forward, within the Hub, veterans will receive ongoing free access to the Bukovytsia ski infrastructure, modern adaptive equipment, adaptive skiing lessons from professional instructors, and peer-to-peer mentorship.

According to Oleksandr Shvachka, veteran and president of the Alliance of Veterans organization, the creation of the Hub at the Bukovytsia ski complex is one of the stages in developing a large-scale infrastructure for the physical and psychological rehabilitation of Ukrainian veterans through adaptive alpine skiing.

By prior arrangement, journalists may cover the activities of the hub.

For reference: The Hub was initiated by the public organization “Alliance of Veterans” as part of the Adaptive Skiing for Veterans project, with the support of the Bukovytsia ski resort, the charitable foundation Razom for Ukraine, and the Boryslav City Council.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Lviv

Oleh Symoroz joined the Defense Forces at the start of the full-scale invasion. He defended Kyiv region as part of the Territorial Defense Forces and later deployed east with his unit. In October 2022, during a combat mission, his vehicle hit an enemy mine.

Both of his legs were amputated above the knee — one of the most challenging types of amputation for further prosthetic fitting. Oleh committed himself to rehabilitation and successfully adapted to prosthetic limbs. He later returned to civilian life, purchased a home, and joined the team of Protez Foundation, where he now serves as Head of Development and Reform of the Prosthetics System.

The veteran and the Protez Foundation team were invited to take part in the filming of the Ukrainian series “Return.” He plays a soldier who lost his legs on the front line — a role that echoes his real-life story. Protez Foundation supported the project: some scenes were filmed at the prosthetics center itself, prosthetists consulted the crew, provided technical assistance, and supplied prosthetic components for filming. The series will consist of eight episodes. The lead roles were performed by Yevhen Hryhoriev, a fighter of the “Wolves of Da Vinci” battalion, and actor Oleksandr Rudynskyi.

Journalists may speak with Oleh Symoroz both online and offline in Kyiv by prior arrangement.

For reference: Protez Foundation is a U.S.-based charitable organization that provides free prosthetic treatment and rehabilitation to Ukrainians who have lost limbs as a result of the war. Its mission is to help Ukrainian children, civilians, and service members receive high-quality prosthetics in the United States free of charge.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Daria Borysenko is a servicewoman with the call sign “Hilka” and commander of an all-female unmanned systems crew, “Typhoon.” She began preparing for military service back in 2021, attending various trainings and military courses. On February 24, she went to the enlistment office and that same evening departed to help defend Hostomel in Kyiv region.

Over time, Daria became a strike UAV pilot and recently took command of a female strike drone crew within the National Guard of Ukraine’s “Typhoon” unit. The group consists of four servicewomen who previously served in different crews.

Journalists may arrange interviews with Daria both online and offline by prior agreement with the press officer. In the coming weeks, Daria and her team will be in Kyiv.

For reference: The separate special-purpose unmanned systems unit “Typhoon” was established in 2024. The unit specializes in modern technologies, focusing primarily on the use of drones and robotic systems.

• military
• women
• Kyiv

Before the full-scale invasion, Nataliia and Vadym Kovpak lived in Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia region (the city has been under russian occupation since February 27, 2022).

On February 24, 2022, the family moved to Khmelnytskyi region, where they rebuilt their lives from scratch. Vadym decided to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces and continues to serve. After he was wounded, the family encountered indifference from the management of some institutions that were supposed to assist with soldiers’ rehabilitation. As a result, Nataliia decided to establish her own rehabilitation center for service members.

In 2023, she opened the “Postava” center. The initiative was supported by the Ukrainian Veterans Fund. Most services for military personnel at the center are free of charge, and Nataliia says she helps other soldiers the same way she would help her own husband.

Journalists can speak with Nataliia Kovpak both online and offline in Kamianets-Podilskyi after March 5, 2026.

• casualties
• military
• volunteers
• women
• Khmelnytskyi

On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion, Lviv will traditionally honor the memory of fallen Ukrainian defenders. On the evening of February 23, beams of remembrance will illuminate the sky above city cemeteries as a symbol of gratitude, sorrow, and enduring memory.

This year, the beams will shine over five fields of honorary burials. A joint prayer and the lighting of memorial candles will also take place.

• dead
• military
• Lviv