Themes by tag: military

The Free Fight Cup of Ukraine and the nationwide memorial tournament “Defender of Ukraine” will take place in Dnipro on April 18–19.

The tournaments are organized on the initiative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, the Physical Training and Sports Directorate of the 1st Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine “Azov,” and the 12th Special Purpose Brigade “Azov.” The event is held in partnership with the Upgrade Sports Club and the Vataga Boxing School.

Background: Free Fight is a Ukrainian combat sport of mixed martial arts created in 1995. It features minimal restrictions on techniques and emphasizes well-rounded, universal training for athletes.

• culture
• military
• Dnipro

A meeting with representatives of the UAV Systems Battalion “Viy” of the 18th Sloviansk Brigade, 2nd Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine “Khartiia,” will take place on April 18 in Poltava and Kyiv.

During the event, battalion representatives will speak about the unit’s combat operations, training, and daily life, as well as outline the key skills civilians should start developing now to join the team.

Participants will learn:

• how the UAV Systems Battalion “Viy” was established,
• what types of drones the unit operates and the missions they perform,
• how training is conducted and how service members’ daily routines are organized,
• how to join the unit and what positions are currently open,
• which skills are essential to develop now for effective service in the military.

Registration is required to attend the event.

• military
• Kyiv
• Poltava

From April 17 to 19, a recruit training school for civilians organized by Khartiia Hub will take place in Lviv. During the three-day program, instructors will conduct basic military training sessions. Participants will acquire fundamental military skills and gain a better understanding of how the Ukrainian military operates.

The program includes weapons handling, the basics of tactical medicine under fire, combat planning procedures, small-unit tactics, and more.

The training will take place in field conditions and will be led by experienced military instructors.

Prior registration is required.

• military
• Lviv

Olha Shchedrina lived in Ireland until 2024, where she worked as an assistant to the Ambassador of Ukraine. After the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, the embassy faced an increased workload, as many Irish citizens reached out to support Ukrainians.

Soon, Olha began traveling to Ukraine on short missions, delivering humanitarian aid while also training in tactical medicine. In late 2023, she decided to stay in Ukraine permanently and later joined the medical battalion Hospitallers.

She now evacuates wounded soldiers to stabilization points and provides medical assistance. Between rotations, Olha travels abroad to speak with international audiences about the war in Ukraine.

Journalists can arrange an online interview with Olha Shchedrina upon prior agreement and coordination with a press officer.

Background: The Hospitallers Medical Battalion has been operating on the front line since 2014. Its crews carry out dozens of evacuations daily along much of the front line. The Hospitallers have been providing tactical medicine training since 2015 and first aid training since 2018.

• doctors
• military
• women

Oleksii Botsula is originally from the village of Marianivka in Kyiv region. From 2015 to 2018, he fought in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including at the Svitlodarsk salient. After completing his contract, he returned to civilian life.

Following the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, Oleksii joined one of the brigades and took part in battles in Kyiv region. He later served in various directions. In September 2023, he was wounded during a combat mission in Kharkiv region.

His rehabilitation and treatment lasted about a year. During this time, he applied for a grant from the Ukrainian Veterans Fund, and his project “Farmer Shepherd” (Ferma Pastukha) was selected as a winner. The project involves the reconstruction and modernization of a pig farm, including the renovation of facilities, process automation, and expansion of production capacity.

Currently, the farm houses around 200 pigs. Oleksii is developing the production of canned and smoked products, and provides part of his output free of charge to fellow soldiers on the front line.

Journalists can arrange interviews with Oleksii Botsula both online and offline in Kyiv region by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Kyiv

For more than 14 years, Jack Lopresti served as a Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom from the Conservative Party, which he joined at the age of 18. Over time, he became Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party and served on the UK Parliament’s Defence Committee.

Jack Lopresti also has military experience. He served in the British Army Reserve with the Royal Artillery and was deployed to Afghanistan as part of the UK Armed Forces.

As a politician, Jack Lopresti consistently supported Ukraine during russia’s aggression. In early 2025, he joined the Ukrainian military himself. He was mobilized into the 12th Azov Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine. Currently, he is not deployed on the front line but performs support duties for the military.

Journalists can arrange interviews with Jack Lopresti both online and offline upon coordination with a press officer.

• military

On April 5, journalists are invited to attend the Ukrainian premiere of “SANCTUS VERITAS” performed by the National Academic Symphonic Band of Ukraine. The concert will be conducted by Honored Artist of Ukraine Olha Rukavishnikova and conductor Ivan Stetskyi, featuring works by European composers.

For Olha Rukavishnikova, this performance marks a return to civilian life after four years of service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. She joined Ukraine’s Defense Forces on February 24, 2022. Her primary weapon was an RPG-7 anti-tank grenade launcher, and she is also trained to operate a sniper rifle, automatic grenade launcher, machine gun, and mortar.

During one of the combat missions, she was thrown several meters by a blast wave, and a fragment fractured her cervical spine. As a result of the same injury, she lost her left eye.

Background: The first part of “SANCTUS VERITAS” will feature the dramatic biblical work Adam and Eve by Hugo Chinesta and the large-scale symphonic piece Noah’s Ark by Óscar Navarro. The second part will include the deeply emotional symphonic poem Abraham by Ferrer Ferran and Byzantine Mosaics by Franco Cesarini — a musical symbol of spiritual grandeur and the light associated with the birth of Christ.
Journalists can review the full program in advance. Accreditation is required.
Interviews with Olha Rukavishnikova are available upon request.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• women
• Kyiv

On April 4, Khartia Hub, together with Gretta Tupchii — a student of masters from the Shanghai-based 9 Clouds studio and the spouse of a servicemember — will launch a two-month Tai Chi course in Kyiv for defenders and their families.

Tai Chi is a Chinese system of slow movements that combines physical exercise, breathing, and concentration. It is designed to promote longevity and support personal development. Participation is free for servicemembers and their families, while others are welcome to join for a monthly donation starting from UAH 500.

Journalists are welcome to attend the sessions and speak with representatives of Khartia Hub.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

Oleksii Naidenko joined Ukraine’s defense in 2014, serving in the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade. Prior to that, he had worked for more than 15 years as a boatswain on gas carriers. After the start of the full-scale invasion, he returned from abroad to defend the country again, this time serving in the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade (DUK PS).

In 2023, he was discharged from military service due to health reasons. On November 25, 2024, he died in hospital as a result of complications from his injuries.

His wife, Olena, has been involved in volunteer work since 2016. She founded the initiative group “Cherkasy Charivnytsi,” which prepares dry rations and ready-to-eat meals in retort pouches for soldiers on the frontline and visits wounded defenders in hospitals.

The couple has a 13-year-old son, Matvii Naidenko. He is an eighth-grade student and actively participates in sports, including competitions under the “Side by Side” initiative (rugby, football, handball). Since 2020, the family has also taken part in charity runs and marathons in support of the military.

According to his mother, Matvii was very close to his father. While his father worked at sea, the boy helped at home, and after his loss, he became a strong support for his mother and actively participates in volunteer work.

The family has remained in Cherkasy. Matvii is a beneficiary of the “Children of Heroes” Charitable Foundation.

In 2025, one of Matvii’s dreams was to receive an autograph from Ukrainian footballer Artem Dovbyk. This wish was fulfilled with the support of Daniel Salem and Lida Lee. He is now focused on football and preparing to enter a football academy.

Journalists can arrange interviews with the family online by prior arrangement.

• children
• dead
• military
• women

A memorial run in honor of Hero of Ukraine and Azov fighter Maksym Kahal will take place in Kyiv on March 29. The event is organized by the NGO “Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families.”

Maksym Kahal, call sign “Piston,” was a Hero of Ukraine and served as a senior lieutenant in the Azov Regiment (now the 12th Special Forces Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine). He was also a professional athlete and a world champion in ISKA kickboxing among adults.

Maksym Kahal was killed on March 25, 2022, during the defense of Mariupol.

Registration is required to participate.

• dead
• military