Themes by tag: military

Before the full-scale invasion, Oleksandr Honcharenko repaired sports equipment. When the war began, he started volunteering — delivering humanitarian aid across Kharkiv and the surrounding region. Later, he joined the military.

In the fall of 2022, Oleksandr suffered a severe arm wound when his crew came under enemy fire. After multiple surgeries, doctors managed to save his arm.

During rehabilitation, Oleksandr began developing a special training device for wounded soldiers. His invention resembles a treadmill with an overhead frame featuring support straps for arms and legs — essentially an adult walker. This machine helps injured soldiers regain independence, allowing them to walk without external assistance. Oleksandr is now working to patent his invention and plans to increase production in the future.

You can speak with Oleksandr Honcharenko online or in person in Kharkiv by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Kharkiv

On July 25, soldiers Serhii Pankevych and Ivan Huliak from the 15th Separate Brigade “Chornyi Lis” launched the large-scale charity marathon UltraUkraine. They chose a 1,500-kilometer route that spans the entire country — from Drohobych to the “Donetsk Oblast” stele near Pokrovsk.

The run is an opportunity to raise funds, engage Ukrainian businesses, and build a sports rehabilitation hall to help servicemen return to active duty.

On August 13, Serhii and Ivan will arrive in Kyiv. At 8:45 AM, they will welcome those who wish to join the marathon and run together to Khreshchatyk Street, where journalists can meet with the runners. Additionally, a press briefing will be held at the Valeriy Lobanovskyi Dynamo Stadium. On August 15, the soldiers will continue their marathon.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

On August 9 and 10, peaceful rallies will take place across 29 cities in Ukraine to draw attention to the fate of Ukrainian prisoners of war and those still missing in action. The campaign seeks to honor the defenders of Azovstal and other soldiers held in russian captivity, and to mark three years since the deadly attack on the Olenivka detention center.

The rallies are being organized by families of POWs from the Mariupol garrison, with participation from former prisoners who have since returned home.

Demonstrations on August 9 will be held in: Arbuzynka, Okhtyrka, Pavlohrad, Chernihiv, Irpin, Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Lviv, and Poltava.

On August 10, events are planned in: Kyiv, Pivdenoukrainsk, Krolevets, Kremenchuk, Uman, Lozova, Mykolaiv, Korop, Ovruch, Obukhiv, Korosten, Slavuta, Cherkasy, Dolynska, Berdychiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Uzhhorod, Shpola, Shostka, and Rivne.

Organizers are urging the public to join the call for justice and accountability, and to ensure that the plight of those held in captivity is not forgotten.

• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Andrii Polishchuk joined the Ukrainian military as a volunteer at the start of the full-scale invasion. He served in the specialized 15th Separate Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade, becoming an expert in radar systems and counter-battery warfare. He also trained abroad, including in the UK, where he qualified as a radar instructor.

In 2023, Andrii returned to civilian life but didn’t want to leave his comrades without support. So, he started manufacturing battery packs and power systems for FPV drones, fixed-wing UAVs, and electronic warfare systems. Andrii applied for a grant from the Ukrainian Veterans Fund, which helped him purchase a 3D printer, welding equipment, and necessary components. In addition, he now works as a UAV instructor.

You can connect with Andrii Polishchuk online or meet him in person in Kyiv, by prior arrangement.

• military
• Kyiv

The NGO Every Animal, in partnership with nutritionist Mark Shpara, Macro-2019, and Eat Me At, developed seven daily plant-based meal plans for military personnel. The goal is to provide vegan and vegetarian soldiers, as well as those who fast or avoid animal products for health reasons, with plant-based food.

Defenders can order a free “vegan ration pack”, which includes 26 ready-to-eat meals in retort packaging (soups and porridges with soy meat and Eat Me At plant-based mince).

The rations are sent to military personnel via mail.

Journalists can learn more about vegan rations for defenders in Kyiv. 

Background: The NGO Every Animal was founded in 2019 to promote veganism and advocate for animal rights. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the organization has provided over 2,700 weekly vegan rations to the military free of charge. They have also organized ten charity Vegan Weekend festivals, raising and donating UAH 4.5 million to support the Defense Forces.

• food
• military
• Kyiv

In Kyiv, two sled hockey teams Sokil and Start have taken shape, each made up of veterans who have undergone lower limb amputations. Every team has eight players, and training sessions are held three times a week.

The teams recently competed in the All-Ukrainian Para Ice Hockey Championship.

Journalists can attend and report on training sessions in Kyiv by prior arrangement.

For reference: Para ice hockey, also referred to as sled or sledge hockey, is an adaptation of the sport for athletes with amputations or limited lower limb function. Players move across the ice on specially designed sleds, using two short sticks fitted with spikes on one end for propulsion and blades on the other for controlling the puck.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Kyiv

Oleksii and Tetiana have been together since the start of russia’s annexation of Crimea and its offensive in eastern Ukraine. Nine years ago, Oleksii volunteered for military service, and Tetiana later joined as well.

They were initially mobilized to different units when Tetiana served as a nurse, and Oleksii as an infantryman. Later, both transferred to the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade, where they could serve in the same unit.

When russia launched its full-scale invasion, the couple was stationed in Mariinka, Donetsk Oblast. There, they began working in medical evacuation: Oleksii drives the vehicle, while Tetiana monitors and assists wounded soldiers during transport.

They note that serving together brings both increased stress and greater responsibility.

Meetings with Oleksii and Tetiana can be arranged in advance, either online or in person in Zaporizhia.

• military
• women
• Zaporizhzhia

Illia, call sign “Lieshyi”, joined Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade in September 2023, just after turning 19. Despite suffering multiple injuries in combat — any of which could have ended his service — he chose to keep fighting on the war’s most dangerous frontlines.

In March 2025, his life changed forever when a russian kamikaze drone dropped an explosive directly on his position, inflicting wounds so severe that both his legs had to be amputated above the knee. The armored vehicle evacuating him was also hit by an FPV drone, but against all odds, Illia survived. After emergency surgery, he reached out to the “Angels” patronage service of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, who took him from the hospital and arranged his long-term rehabilitation.

Now, Illia is preparing for advanced prosthetics treatment in the U.S. — and dreams of returning to military duty once recovered.

You can contact Illia online or offline in Kyiv by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Adaptive wakesurfing, a water sport where the rider glides on the wake behind a boat without being directly towed, is helping Ukrainian military veterans stay active despite physical injuries.

Since the initiative launched in the summer of 2024, 25 service members and veterans have tried wakesurfing, with five continuing to train regularly. 

Weekly sessions are held in Kyiv, where experienced coaches and adaptive equipment allow participants, including those who have lost lower limbs, to participate.

For reference: The project is a collaboration between One Team Forces, an NGO supporting service members injured or psychologically affected by the war, and the STAV14 Wake Park team. It is implemented with the support of the BreakWater Club, the official training base for Ukraine’s national wakesurfing team.

One Team Forces works with service members who served before or after russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. STAV14, a network of wakeparks, promotes adaptive wakeboarding not only in Kyiv but across Ukraine.

Journalists can cover the training sessions in Kyiv by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Kyiv

A peaceful march titled “Ours Are Not Home Yet” is scheduled to take place in Kyiv on August 2 in solidarity with Ukrainian soldiers who are missing or held in captivity.

The event is intended to raise public and international awareness about the fate of service members who have yet to return home. Organizers say the march will call attention to the urgent need for action and accountability regarding those still unaccounted for.

The march is organized by the community of relatives of the 32nd Separate Motorized Brigade.

• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv