Themes by tag: military

Journalists are invited to attend the 33rd session of sound therapy and a master class on physical and SPA rehabilitation by Serhii Kapralov. The event will be held in Kyiv on 1 December.

This project is free for veterans, military personnel, their families and internally displaced persons. It combines several approaches: physical rehabilitation, sound healing and art therapy.

The project is implemented by Serhii Kapralov (Ph.D. in Physical Education and Sports, author of leading rehabilitation methods for severe injuries, and soldier of the 241st Territorial Defence Brigade) in collaboration with musicians and sound healing specialists – Oleksandr Vlasenko, Artur Nikolenko and Yevhen Rudychev. The initiative was made possible thanks to the patronage of Inessa Kravchenko (founder of the informal educational platform “Liudyna Dyvo Svit”, publisher of the “Wheel of Life” magazine and co-owner of Stan Invest Holding).

Special surprise: The thousandth visitor will receive a gift and all participants will have a chance to participate in a prize draw.

Registration is required to attend the event.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

An unusual operation called “HUR-CAT” was carried out by fighters of the Tymur special unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. The special forces evacuated 15 cats from Snake Island and successfully transported them to the Ukrainian mainland.

The soldiers placed the animals in special carriers and transported them by boat to a safe location. All 15 cats were then delivered to the Sirius shelter in the Kyiv oblast. The animals are now undergoing a period of adjustment and efforts are being made to find them new homes.

Comments from the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence can be arranged by appointment. Journalists are also invited to visit the Sirius sanctuary, meet its founder and see the rescued animals.

Background information: The battle for Snake Island began on 24 February 2022 with a missile attack on the Ukrainian border guard garrison stationed there. The attack destroyed all structures on the island, but the Ukrainian border guards continued to resist. After several hours of fighting, russian forces captured Snake and took its defenders prisoner. The island was liberated on the 30th of June 2022, when powerful attacks by Ukrainian forces forced the russian occupiers to hastily evacuate the remnants of their garrison.

• animals
• military
• Kyiv
• evacuation

In Kyiv, a unique rehabilitation project is helping military personnel recover through archery, including those who have lost limbs. The initiative welcomes veterans, active-duty soldiers, and their families, offering free daily training sessions.  

Leading the effort is Dmytro Lvovskyi, an international master of sports and founder and Board Chair of the “Ukrainian Archery Space” NGO. Since 2014, he has funded archery training for wounded soldiers, including veterans of the ATO service, using his own resources. His work expanded with support from the Kyiv City Center for Physical Culture and Sports for Persons with Disabilities “Invasport” and the All-Ukrainian Center for Physical Health “Sport for All,” as part of the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ “Active Parks — Unstoppable” program.  

Archery is accessible to all, even those with severe injuries. Participants missing legs train from wheelchairs, while those without arms can draw the bowstring with their teeth. Even individuals who are completely blind can take part, using specialized techniques tailored for visually impaired archers.  

Journalists can arrange to visit and cover the training sessions in Kyiv by appointment.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Olena Hrekova, an ethnic Bulgarian, traces her ancestry to settlers who came to the lands of Bessarabia in the 18th century.

Before the full-scale war, Olena was the director and owner of a successful construction company in Odesa. Today, she is a major and an officer in the Development department of the Naval Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Since 2014, Olena has been actively involved in the volunteer movement in Odesa, supporting the families of servicemen who left Crimea without betraying their oath. Responding to a call to meet a bus carrying belongings for those who fled the peninsula, she connected with other like-minded Odesa residents. Together, they created the “Help the Navy” social media group. The volunteers divided the city’s neighborhoods among themselves and worked to provide military families with everything they needed.

When russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Olena evacuated her son and volunteered in Romania. However, in May, she decided to mobilize and join the army, which she had been helping since 2014. In the Navy, Olena continues her volunteer work, helping the defenders of Ukraine.

Journalists can arrange interviews with Olena in Odesa or online by prior arrangement.

Background: Bessarabia is a historic region in Eastern Europe located between the Prut and Dniester rivers, the Danube Delta and the Black Sea. Approximately 70% of Bessarabia’s territory is in present-day Moldova, while the rest is in Ukraine.

• military
• volunteers
• women
• Odesa

Before joining the Azov Brigade, Svitlana Vorova worked as a senior engineer at Ukrzaliznytsia and raised three children. One of her sons, Oleksandr Kutuzakii, was in the Azov Brigade from the very beginning. On 15 February 2015, the vehicle carrying Svitlana’s son was ambushed by enemy forces. His body was taken by kadyrov’s troops and returned mutilated, but Svitlana chose to bury him in an open coffin to expose the brutality of the enemy.

The loss of Oleksandr was devastating for Svitlana, especially after the deaths of her father and father-in-law and a divorce. Her two younger children helped her to cope with the loss and find the strength to move on.

In 2020, she decided to honour the legacy of her fallen son by joining the Azov Brigade herself.

When the full-scale invasion began, Svitlana was in Mariupol with her comrades and soon found herself in Azovstal. Although her commander offered women the chance to leave through a green corridor, Svitlana stayed. She spent 86 days in the steelworks, was taken prisoner with her comrades and spent 11 months in a russian prison camp. According to Svitlana, the women were not physically tortured, but they were subjected to constant psychological abuse. On her return, Svitlana spent eight months in rehabilitation centres, hospitals and sanatoriums. She then re-joined the army.

Svitlana Vorova is currently serving in the East. Interviews with her can be arranged online or in person by prior arrangement with the Azov Brigade press service.

• casualties
• dead
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• women

For 23 years, Viktor Penkovyi served as a military pilot, dedicating his life to protecting Ukraine. When russia launched its all-out invasion, he answered the call to defend his homeland. Tragically, Viktor lost his life during a combat mission.  

His wife, Svitlana Penkova, was devastated by the loss. The grief left her struggling to find her footing. At times, the emotional and physical toll was overwhelming—she would spend days confined to her home, unable to even embrace her child due to the sheer weight of her pain.  

A year after Viktor’s passing, Svitlana channeled her grief into action. She founded the Reborn NGO, an organization dedicated to supporting the families of fallen heroes. She also began writing, pouring her emotions into a book that would honor her husband’s legacy. The result was Ukrainian Hummingbirds, a heartfelt tribute to Viktor.  

Through her work, Svitlana hopes to send a powerful message: even in the aftermath of profound loss, it is possible to find a new purpose while preserving the memory of those we hold dear.  

Journalists can arrange to meet Svitlana in Vinnytsia or Kyiv, or communicate with her online.  

For reference: The Children of Heroes charity foundation currently supports the Penkova family. The foundation assists children who have lost one or both parents due to russia’s invasion, providing financial aid, psychological and legal support, and fostering their education and development until adulthood.

• dead
• military
• women
• Kyiv
• Vinnytsia

The “Blyzki” initiative provides a space where relatives of service members and veterans can receive career development support: identifying growth directions, completing training, creating updated resumes, and preparing for job interviews. In the process, participants can connect with a community of peers who understand their experiences.

Participants can receive 2-3 months of training in a new profession, learn English, get information on starting their own business, participate in creative workshops, sports classes, and sessions for physical and mental recovery. All activities will take place offline, as the organizers believe this will foster closer relationships and better communication.

The project was launched in early 2024, first in Kyiv and later in Lviv. It welcomes partners, close relatives of military personnel, veterans, and service members in recovery.

Journalists can cover the project in Kyiv or Lviv by prior arrangement.

Background:

The “Blyzki” initiative was created by Maryna Baturynets, founder of the Bazilik School of Communications. It was inspired by a joint project between Bazilik and Veteran Hub — a communication course for military families. This course highlighted the need for education and, more importantly, interaction with people who share similar experiences.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv
• Lviv

Andrii Smyk, a professional military sniper, dedicated many years to service, taking part in combat operations from 2014 to 2020. He rejoined active duty shortly before the full-scale invasion, defending the Kyiv oblast before moving to protect the Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts. During his service, he suffered several injuries and concussions. In 2023, he returned to his hometown of Irpin for health reasons.

Inspired by childhood memories of his grandfather Mykola, a skilled woodworker, Andrii founded the eco-friendly workshop “Funny Owls” in the summer of 2024.

Together with his team, they create kitchenware, children’s toys, phone stands, candle holders, puzzles, alphabet sets and custom-made items. Discounts are available on all orders for military personnel and their families.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

Oleksandr Laptii, a 50-year-old Ukrainian actor known for his roles in films like The Rising Hawk, The Fight Rules, and Cherkasy, has taken on a prominent role in the sequel to the cult video game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. A longtime fan of the game series, Laptii was invited by the casting team to contribute as a model for 3D animation, bringing one of the game’s central characters to life. Filming began in early 2022 but was abruptly halted after just a few days due to russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In the summer of 2023, Laptii joined the 12th Azov Special Forces Brigade, where he earned the call sign “Sei.” Despite his new military role, he received permission from his commanders later that year to resume his work on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. Production restarted in November, and Laptii rejoined the team to complete his contributions.

On November 20, after a 15-year wait, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 was finally released to fans worldwide.

Laptii is available for interviews, both online and in person, with prior approval from Azov’s press service.

• culture
• military

Mariia Aleksieievych is the wife of Serhii Aleksieievych, a fighter of the Azov Brigade, which defended Mariupol from the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion until 16 May 2022. On that day, Serhii and his comrades left Azovstal on orders from their superiors and were captured by russians.

For more than two years, Mariia worked tirelessly to bring her beloved and other prisoners home. During this time, she traveled to Austria to attend an OSCE meeting on the Olenivka terrorist attack, met with Ukrainian officials, and attended weekly rallies dedicated to the defenders of Azovstal. On 18 October 2024, Serhii Aleksieievych returned to Ukraine as part of a prisoner exchange.

Mariia says she had a strong feeling that her beloved would finally come home that day. At 10.20 pm, she received a call from the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War with the long-awaited news. A few hours later, Serhii himself called her. Mariia says she still cannot believe it is not a dream and that her husband has really returned from captivity.

Serhii is currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation.

Serhii Aleksieievych is not yet ready for interviews. However, Mariia Aleksieievych is available to talk about her experiences, her work with Olenivka Community NGO and the emotional reunion with her husband after his captivity – online or in person in Kyiv or Vinnytsia by prior arrangement.

• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• women
• Kyiv
• Vinnytsia