Themes by tag: military

Hailing from Mariupol, 21-year-old Illia, attended a maritime lyceum before enlisting in the 23rd Sea Guard Detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. As the all-out invasion loomed, Illia and his fellow servicemen valiantly defended against the enemy’s incursion from the sea. During a pivotal moment when his vessel docked in Mariupol, Illia eagerly volunteered to reinforce the frontline positions. Transitioning from a marine machine to a machine gunner on land, Illia showcased his adaptability and commitment to his duty. Subsequently, he received orders to deploy to Azovstal, where he found himself ensnared in a harrowing special operation, trapped within encircling enemy forces. In May 2022, Illia, alongside other defenders of Azovstal, was captured by the enemy following a strategic decision to surrender per the directives of Ukrainian military leadership. Initially detained in the infamous Olenivka facility in Donetsk, Illia was subsequently transferred to Taganrog in Russia, where he “celebrated” his birthday under captivity. Enduring 10 grueling months in enemy hands, Illia’s hope flickered to life upon hearing Ukrainian spoken among fellow prisoners during a bus transport on February 16, 2023, signaling his imminent release as part of a prisoner exchange. Following his liberation, Illia embarked on a journey of rehabilitation while concurrently penning a memoir chronicling the defense of Mariupol.

For reference: Illia Iliashenko is currently available for interviews in Kyiv, extending his willingness to engage with journalists both online and offline with prior arrangement.

• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv

Prior to the onset of the invasion, Petro Konoplia pursued a career in directing and acting. Transitioning from the creative realm to the battlefield, Petro, equipped with his civilian first aid training, opted to serve as a combat medic upon mobilization. Remarkably, he proudly attests that none of the wounded individuals he tended to succumbed to their injuries.

Petro attempts to capture compelling footage of his experiences on the front lines. One such video, depicting his heroic evacuation of two comrades under fire, caught the attention of NATO officials. Petro authorized the use of his video by the NATO instructors for training purposes.

Despite sustaining multiple injuries during combat missions, including retaining five fragments in his body from one incident, Petro remains undeterred. Currently undergoing rehabilitation in Odesa, he eagerly awaits reassignment to another unit and anticipates his imminent return to active duty.

For reference: Petro Konoplia is available for interviews in Odesa, welcoming inquiries from both online and offline journalists with prior arrangements.

• doctors
• military
• Odesa

Taras Stolyar was a bandura player in the National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments for 20 years. Taras put his musical career on hold on February 24, 2022. Taras joined the territorial defense forces of the capital. In March he defended Kyiv region from the russian invaders and received his call sign “Bandura.” Later, Taras’s unit was transferred to the east, he fought near Kreminna and Bakhmut, first he was a marksman but then he took up drones.

In November 2023, Taras joined the “Culture Forces of Ukraine” – an association of Ukrainian artists who perform for the military on the front lines, as well as in hospitals and de-occupied cities. Currently, he tries to motivate and raise the morale of the military with his bandura playing. In particular, his performance of the Metallica song even got a reaction from the then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

For reference: Taras Stolyar is currently in the capital. The serviceman is ready to communicate with journalists, both online and in person, by prior arrangement.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

On March 16, Kyiv will play host to a poignant demonstration of support for the missing and imprisoned warriors with the event “Two Hearts in Captivity.” The rally aims to thrust the dire plight of Ukrainian prisoners of war, languishing in enemy confines, into the spotlight of public consciousness, governmental attention, and the global arena. Furthermore, organizers seek to underscore the critical necessity of boosting support networks for the families left behind, grappling with the absence of their loved ones.

The agenda for this solemn occasion encompasses moving performances titled “Two Hearts in Captivity” and “Human Chain.”

The event is helmed by the families of POWs and missing defenders, in tandem with the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. 

• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv

Under the banner of the “City Healing” initiative, Ukrainian servicemembers undergoing treatment or rehabilitation in Lviv’s medical facilities are being offered complimentary tours of the historic city. These tours, available both individually and in groups, serve as a rejuvenating respite for those in need.

Covering a diverse array of topics, the tours showcase the city’s myriad attractions, from its iconic landmarks and bustling downtown to its serene parks. Knowledgeable guides provide insights into Lviv’s rich history spanning princely and medieval eras, its architectural marvels, artistic heritage, and cherished traditions.

Since its inception, the “City Healing” program has extended its healing touch to 552 military personnel and their families. 

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Lviv

Volodymyr Mamalyha is a psychologist by profession. In 2014, when russia attacked Ukraine for the first time, he volunteered to join the army. Volodymyr served as a sniper in the East. After returning to civilian life, the veteran began to help the military by providing psychological support to the defenders and creating veteran communities in Cherkasy.

The day after the big war started, the man was already in the ranks of the Armed Forces. Volodymyr fought near Popasna and Lysychansk in Luhansk region, later he was hospitalized and discharged from active duty by the decision of the military medical commission.

The veteran says that it was not easy to return to normal life, so he decided to create a hub of psychological support for servicemen and veterans of the Armed Forces. Volodymyr applied for a grant from the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, won and received funding. And then he started a hub in Cherkasy. Besides psychologists, lawyers work there too. In addition, various training events for veterans are held in the hub. Currently, Volodymyr has applied for another grant to purchase a special car to transport servicemen with disabilities to the hub.

• casualties
• military
• psychological support

Before the full-scale invasion, Ruslan Mokrytskyi was a successful businessman: he had a chain of coffee shops in Khmelnytskyi. However, shortly after the start of the big war, the man sold the business and joined the Defense Forces. As a member of the 95th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade, the soldier fought on the front lines, and between combat missions, he began to cook various dishes, film the process and share it on social networks. Ruslan’s content soon became popular. The man says that thanks to cooking, he manages to distract himself and recover after missions at the frontline.

In July 2023, during one of the tasks, Ruslan provided first aid to his brother in arms, and he himself received a shrapnel wound in the hand. The fighter returned to his hometown, where he underwent rehabilitation. But even at that point he did not abandon his blog. After the core functionality of his hand were restored, the man returned to the front line

For reference: Ruslan Mokrytskyi is in the Kupiansk sector. The military man is ready to communicate with journalists both online and in person, by prior arrangement.

• military

On March 10 Dnipro gears up to host the poignant performance, “The Third Spring in Captivity.” This nationwide initiative, titled “Don’t be silent! Captivity kills!”, aims to highlight the dire predicament faced by Ukrainian prisoners of war, particularly those hailing from the embattled city of Mariupol and the Azovstal region, who have languished in enemy captivity for nearly two years.

For context: The defense of Mariupol endured for 86 grueling days, with soldiers enduring complete encirclement for 82 of those days. In May 2022, following orders from the command, Ukrainian defenders ceased resistance, vacated Azovstal, and surrendered to enemy forces.

• military
• prisoners
• Dnipro

“Darling, I Live on!” is a psychological support project for women who lost their husbands in the war. It operates in Zaporizhia.

In March 2023, activist Yaryna Herashchenko was approached by a family friend who had lost her military husband who asked her for support. Then the women came up with the idea to create the project “Darling, I Live on!” Yaryna’s mother, who is a psychologist, got involved as well.

Over the course of a year, 22 participants joined the project. As part of the initiative, women receive psychological aid and support on their way to recovery. In particular, they take part in various activities: archery, yoga and Thai boxing. Women also participate in field sessions. For example, on the island of Khortytsia, the participants wrote letters to their loved ones, made small paper boats from their messages and sent them down the Dnipro. They also treated each other to their loved ones’ favorite dishes.

The participants are also taking part in two photo projects: “Memory of you” (photos with memorabilia that help the participants tell the stories of their husbands) and “Darling, I Live on!” (“awakening photo shoot”). Group 4 meetings will start in March.

• dead
• military
• psychological support
• women
• Zaporizhzhia

Roman enlisted with the Right Sector Ukrainian Volunteer Corps while he was still pursuing his studies in rehabilitation therapy and volunteered for training camps, preparing himself for the rigors of combat. A former student turned soldier and faced his first deployment to the frontlines in 2016. Serving in a reconnaissance battalion in some of the most perilous regions, he experienced the harsh realities of war firsthand. Tragically, in 2019, while near Olenivka in the Donetsk region, Kashpur stepped on a petal mine, resulting in the loss of his leg.

Undeterred by his injury, Kashpur embraced the challenge of prosthetic rehabilitation and soon found himself excelling in the Games of Heroes project, where he emerged victorious twice. Determined to inspire fellow wounded soldiers, he pushed his limits further. In December 2021, Kashpur achieved a remarkable feat by pulling a 16-ton An-26 airplane, moving the giant aircraft 6 meters and 40 centimeters, earning him a place in the National Register of Records of Ukraine.

Despite facing setbacks, including a mismatched prosthesis and the onset of full-scale war, Kashpur continued to persevere. He not only trained newcomers but also actively participated in assaults. His resilience knew no bounds as he set his sights on conquering marathons. In April 2023, Kashpur made his debut in the prestigious 43rd London Marathon. He followed up with appearances in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., and the New York City Marathon in October and November, respectively. Most recently, Kashpur achieved a personal milestone by completing a marathon in Tokyo, Japan, setting a new personal record.

For reference: As Kashpur prepares to return to Ukraine to the Vinnytsia region on March 9, he stands ready to share his remarkable story with journalists, both online and offline, by prior arrangement.

• military