Themes by tag: military

Ivan Shostak, who initially served in the 79th Air Assault Brigade during the Russian-Ukrainian war of 2015, returned to civilian life after his contract ended. 

However, when the all-out invasion escalated in 2022, he reenlisted and was injured, resulting in blindness during a mission in the Bakhmut sector. Following rehabilitation, Shostak immersed himself in pottery, mastering the craft within four months. He now produces clay items adorned with his personal logo and slogan, “Nobody but us,” which he markets through exhibitions and social media. Shostak aims to gather funds for specialized education and hopes to launch a massage parlor in his hometown of Vinnytsia.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Vinnytsia

Ihor Salii linked his life with military service and sports. He studied at a military university and before the full-scale invasion he signed a contract with the army. In February 2022, Ihor was preparing for the big war, so when it began, he took his family to a safe place, and he himself returned to Kyiv and went to the military enlistment office. Ihor had to take up many positions in his unit: from a rifleman to a platoon commander. His unit worked in the Donetsk and Luhansk sectors, and later he took part in the Kharkiv counteroffensive. In one of the combat missions, Ihor was concussed and found out that he had two tumors that required surgery. Later, the soldier returned to the front line and was wounded. The doctor advised him to take up sports in order to rehabilitate. Ihor has always done sports, but this time, instead of practicing his favorite boxing, he had to learn archery.

In March 2024, the soldier went to the United States to take part in the United States Air Force and Marine Corps Trials, an adaptive sports competition. The athlete brought home two gold medals: in archery and volleyball.

• military

“Hunter” does not disclose his first and last name. Until 2014, he ran his own business. After russia attacked Ukraine for the first time, the man joined the army and served in the East. In the same year, “Hunter” and his brothers in arms were ambushed near Sloviansk. He was wounded, and ended up in the hospital. He returned to civilian life, started his own business, and in 2019 signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

When the full-scale invasion started, the serviceman was in Berdiansk, where he received an order to arrive in Mariupol. On February 26, “Hunter” went to Kamianske, and managed to stay there for 12 days. After that, he and his brothers in arms held positions at the dairy plant in Mariupol for 32 days. The defenders did not manage to get out of the enemy encirclement, so they ended up in russian captivity. “Hunter ” admits that in captivity he tried not to forget two things: his identification code and the phone number of his beloved.

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

• military
• prisoners

Peaceful demonstrations are planned in at least 15 cities to remind the public of the Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol’s “Azovstal” and other military personnel who are still held captive by the enemy.

On April 6, events will be held in Dnipro, Okhtyrka, Bila Tserkva, Pavlohrad, Vinnytsia, Krolevets and Lviv.

On April 7, rallies are planned in Kyiv, Cherkasy, Kremenchuk, Ovruch, Chernivtsi, Kryvyi Rih, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Odesa.

The events are organized by the families of the POWs from the Mariupol garrison.

• military
• prisoners
• Dnipro
• Kyiv
• Lviv
• Odesa

Hlib Stryzhko was persuaded not to sign the contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2021 by his brother, a military officer. However, Hlib still joined the army. When the full-scale invasion began, the soldier was in Mariupol with his brothers in arms. He led the amphibious assault division of the first separate battalion of marines. On April 10, 2022, Hlib was seriously injured when enemy shelling caused the concrete structures above him to collapse. His hip joints, jaw and eyes were damaged. Two days later, Hlib was captured by the russians, who held him captive for 17 days. After a long physical and psychological rehabilitation, Hlib received the group 2 disability status. Currently, Hlib is Head of the Kyiv branch of Veteran Hub.

Hlib Stryzhko is ready to communicate with journalists in Kyiv by prior agreement.

• military
• prisoners

Anastasiia Shylo was 18 years old when in September 2022 she went to the military recruitment center in secret from her parents and joined the Defense Forces. Anastasiia’s father – a military man – accidentally learned about his daughter’s intentions and tried to change her mind, but Anastasiia insisted. Then the father drove 800 kilometers across the country to give his daughter a convenient uniform, a backpack, hygiene products and food. Anastasiia got into the 14th Mechanized Brigade “Prince Roman the Great”: at first she worked in the rear, later she was transferred closer to the front, where she helped the wounded. And then she joined the medics who evacuate soldiers.

Before the full-scale invasion, Anastasiia Shylo had been practicing karate and had won awards. Currently, she also studies remotely to become a coach.

For reference: Anastasiia Shylo is on the front line. The military woman is ready to communicate with journalists online.

• military
• women

The ‘Doctors for Heroes’ charity project is dedicated to assisting both military personnel and civilians who have suffered facial and head injuries, offering vital reconstruction services. To date, the project has aided 107 military individuals and one civilian.

Under this initiative, skilled surgeons and bioengineers generously provide their expertise pro bono, ensuring patients receive essential medical care. However, for the reconstruction of skull bones, specialized implants are required. Recognizing this need, the Eastern Star Charitable Foundation, the driving force behind the project, has committed to covering the costs of producing these implants for each participant. To fund this crucial aspect, the foundation relies on donations, carefully managing the allocation of resources to ensure targeted assistance. Moreover, it offers ongoing support to patients throughout their treatment journey.

Journalists seeking insights into this impactful endeavor can arrange interviews with project organizers, medical professionals, and beneficiaries in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

• casualties
• doctors
• military
• Kyiv

Valerii Dzeh, a Kharkiv native, initially made his mark as an educator in local kindergartens and development centers. However, his journey took a creative turn when he delved into the world of puppet theater, ultimately co-founding a troupe in his hometown. Their breakthrough came in 2021 with the staging of a Ukrainian-themed play rooted in mythology, sparking the theater to start turning a profit and compensating its actors.

But it was on February 24, 2022, that Valerii’s fate called him to a new stage. Amid the intense Russian bombardment of Kharkiv’s northern neighborhood Saltivka, his mission shifted to humanitarian aid, evacuating vulnerable residents, particularly those with disabilities. Alongside his wife, he traversed the perilous streets, delivering sustenance and medicines to those in need.

With the city liberated in late 2022, Valerii’s resolve intensified. He enlisted in the 59th OMPB as a combat medic and became a part of the Cultural Forces unit. Alongside fellow service members with artistic backgrounds, Dzeh embarked on a mission to bring morale-boosting puppet shows to the recently liberated Kharkiv and Kherson regions. Performing both behind the lines and on the front, Dzeh believes his work plays a crucial role in uplifting the emotional well-being of military personnel.

For reference: Valerii Dzeh stands firm on the front lines, ready to share his story with journalists, online or offline, upon arrangement.

• culture
• doctors
• military

Prior to the invasion, Moisei Bondarenko showcased his musical talents as a professional violinist, even gracing the stage of the Eurovision Song Contest. However, when duty called on February 25, 2022, he answered, transitioning into a combat medic for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Despite the challenges of frontline duty, Moisei continued to share his gift of music with his fellow soldiers, often serenading them with his violin in the evening. His dedication didn’t go unnoticed, as his colleagues willingly covered his shifts to allow him this opportunity. After serving a year in the medical corps, Moisei made a remarkable shift to the infantry, joining the Cultural Forces unit. Now, his mission extends beyond the battlefield as he provides crucial moral and psychological support to his comrades, using music as his tool. Moisei’s performances have taken him to the very edge of danger, with one notable instance seeing him play just 900 meters from baseline. Yet, for him, music remains a source of strength in the midst of war raging.

For reference: Moisei Bondarenko is available for interviews with journalists, both online and offline, with prior arrangement. 

• culture
• doctors
• military

Olha Kurtmallaieva, 24 years old, majored in finance. The russian federation’s full-scale invasion caught her in her native Berdiansk, Zaporizhia region (now the city is occupied). In the summer of 2022, she left the occupation.

Olha’s husband, Ruslan, has been defending the country since 2014 (he served in the Anti-Terrorist Operation and Joint Forces Operation zone). April 4, 2024 will mark two years since he got captured by the russians during the defense of Mariupol.

Olha is actively fighting for the release of her husband – she is trying to attend every demonstration calling on the release of the prisoners of war. She also co-founded an NGO that helps soldiers of the 501st Separate Naval Infantry Battalion to return home. (Together with other women, they organize rallies, arrange meetings and communicate with representatives of the Ukrainian authorities). And she does all this despite suffering from a serious illness: back in 2021, Olha was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cancer of the lymph tissue).

Already during the full-scale war, Olga found out that the disease had progressed from the second stage to the fourth. Doctors link it to great stress. Olha has now undergone 12 courses of chemotherapy. The treatment was very difficult (in particular, she was in the intensive care unit) and the woman had to go through it alone, without her beloved by her side.

Journalists can talk to Olha in Kyiv (in person) or online.

• military
• prisoners
• women
• Kyiv