Themes by tag: military

On April 12, Kyiv will host a unique event – the “Steel Guard” festival. Combining a medieval combat sports tournament, veteran inclusivity, and family-friendly cultural activities, the festival aims to support veterans and promote the historical and sports movement.

As part of the festival, two medieval combat tournaments will be held:

• The tournament for novice veterans, “Knights of the New Era”, where anyone interested – regardless of experience, physical condition or level of preparation – can enter the arena. Men and women can participate, including those with amputations or in wheelchairs. All participants will receive the necessary equipment and support from instructors. There is a rule of equal opportunity – the fights will take place in a safe format focused on rehabilitation and community building.
• The professional “KyivGrad Cup” tournament in full steel armor will be the spectacular part of the event, where experienced fighters will show their skills.

Additional Activities during the festival will include workshops (calligraphy, chainmail weaving, and more) and medieval board games (entertainment for the whole family in the style of ancient strategies).

Background: The organizers of the event are Kyiv Military Hub, BuhurtSich and the NGO Historical Patriotic Society Kyivgrad. The festival is supported by the Kyiv City State Administration and the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

A commemorative race honoring Maksym Kahal, a Hero of Ukraine and soldier with the Azov Special Forces detachment, is scheduled for March 30.

Known by the call sign “Piston” (Percussion Cap) Kahal was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. He served as a senior lieutenant with the Azov Special Forces, commanding a fire support platoon within the 1st Company of the 1st Battalion. Beyond his military service, Kahal was a decorated athlete, crowned ISKA World Kickboxing Champion among adults and earning numerous other sports accolades.

Kahal was killed on March 25, 2022, while defending Mariupol. He was just 30 years old.

The race is being organized by the Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families. 

Registration for the event is required.

• dead
• military
• Kyiv

Vladyslav Stepanchuk enlisted in the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine when he turned 18. Just a few months later, in the spring of 2024, he gained his first combat experience. While setting up firing positions along the Ukrainian-russian border, Vladyslav and his brothers-in-arms were detected by enemy drones, and their positions came under intense fire.

As the soldiers moved to a reserve position, they were hit by mortar fire, leaving the crew leader and the gunner critically wounded. Amid the chaos, Vladyslav stepped up, assuming command. He quickly altered their route and guided his comrades to the safety of a nearby forest belt. There, he readied the soldiers for evacuation, partially restored communication with the command post, and successfully organized the withdrawal of all personnel.

The rescue mission lasted four hours. Through his decisive actions, Vladyslav managed to evacuate 21 soldiers from a nearly encircled position, ensuring their safe escape.

At just 19, Vladyslav Stepanchuk became the youngest recipient of the prestigious Hero of Ukraine title and the Order of the Golden Star.

Along with his recognition, Vladyslav continues his service on the front lines. Conversations with the border guard can be arranged both online and offline, with the approval of the press officer and by prior arrangement.

• military

Mykola Shot joined Ukraine’s Defense Forces in March 2022, serving with the Kholodnyi Yar Brigade. In February last year, he suffered severe injuries near Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region, resulting in the loss of both his arms and legs.

For several months, Mykola has been adapting to prosthetic limbs with the support of specialists at the UNBROKEN National Rehabilitation Center in Lviv.

Despite his injuries, he remains active and focused on competing in the Paralympic Games. He is now awaiting specialized running prosthetics to begin training for the competition.

• casualties
• military
• Lviv

Viktor Shemediuk is a veteran of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Lutsk. He was mobilized in the first days of the full-scale invasion. Viktor fought in the Luhansk, Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts. During the Kharkiv counteroffensive in September 2022, he was wounded and lost his left leg above the knee.

After treatment, Viktor underwent rehabilitation and got used to using a prosthesis. He cites his wife and daughters as his greatest support, as they have been with him throughout his journey. Viktor decided to start a business that would not only generate income, but also benefit the community. He began installing solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations.

With the support of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, Viktor launched the project “Eco Power: Charging Electric Cars with the Sun”. He used the grant to purchase high-capacity, fast-charging stations and solar panels. His stations are currently available in a village in the Volyn oblast, but he plans to expand the project soon and install panels in Lutsk.

You can speak with Viktor Shemediuk either online or in person by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Lutsk

In the Lviv Oblast, soldiers with amputations are taking part in a specialized cycling rehabilitation program. This initiative offers the defenders a unique opportunity to reintegrate into active life, regain their physical fitness, and experience the freedom of movement once again.

The sessions are led by a physical therapist, and the bicycles used in the program were generously donated by benefactors from the Netherlands. The inaugural class saw 10 participants, including veterans with both upper and lower limb amputations, many of whom use prosthetics.

The next cycling rehabilitation session is scheduled for Saturday, March 29, in Lviv.

Journalists interested in covering the sessions are invited to attend by prior arrangement.

The program is being carried out through a collaboration between the “With an Angel on A Shoulder” Charitable Fund, the NGO “Sports Club Power of the Nation,” the State Noncommercial Enterprise “Center of Complex Rehabilitation ‘Halychyna’,” and the Lviv Municipal Art Center.

• casualties
• military
• Lviv

Vitalii Lykhobytskyi, 38 is originally from Volyn, but has been living in the capital for the past 13 years. Before the full-scale invasion, he was running his own business related to construction equipment. 

On February 24, 2022, Vitalii took his family to Volyn and soon mobilized for territorial defense. He fought in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, in particular, near Serebryansky Forest and Kreminna.

On May 2, 2023, Vitalii was seriously wounded—an enemy sniper hit the thermal imager the soldier was holding. The soldier lost his eye and was most worried about how his family would react to the injury and whether his little girl would be scared. 

Vitalii was enrolled in the Neopalymi rehabilitation program. The veteran underwent eye surgery, was fitted with a prosthesis, and underwent laser grinding of the sutures. The man says that now people do not immediately notice his injury.

You can talk to Vitalii Lykhobytskyi both online and offline by appointment. 

For reference: Neopalymi (Unburnt) is a national program for the external rehabilitation of war-affected individuals. As part of the project, anyone who needs it can receive free treatment for burns or scars of a non-domestic nature.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Halyna Hrytseniak, a medical doctor and Marine Corps veteran, spent 1 year, 7 months, and 12 days in captivity following the defense of Mariupol. Today, she volunteers with the Stalevi charitable organization and is an active member of the Stalevi veterans’ movement.

Her husband, Mykola Hrytseniak, is also a soldier—a Marine who fought in the defense of Mariupol. He endured four months in captivity before returning to military service as an instructor at the Marine Training Center.

Halyna recalls receiving her first marriage proposal on April 1, 2022, in a bunker at the Ilyich plant, where the hospital was located. Mykola, wounded with a gunshot to his leg, was lying there when he asked her to marry him.

More details on Halyna’s story are available here. 

Journalists can arrange an online interview with her by prior agreement.

• military
• prisoners
• women

On March 25, Kyiv will host the forum “Gender Equality in Defenсe – On the Way to Justice and Human Dignity”. The forum aims to strengthen equality and justice in the Security and Defence sector, improve military service conditions, and analyze barriers to implementing inclusive and gender equality policies. 

Additionally, it seeks to lay the foundation for an effective strategy that integrates a human-centred, gender-sensitive, and inclusive approach into the defence system at all levels. The event is part of the UK Special Defence Advisor’s Program.

Featured speakers include

• Kyle Sargon, Deputy National Security Adviser of the United Kingdom
• Olha Reshetylova (Kobylynska), Presidential Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Servicemen and their Families
• Colonel Petro Fivkin, Head of the Central Department for the Protection of the Rights of Military Personnel
• Members of the Ukrainian Parliament, representatives of civil society and active servicemen (both women and men)

The Forum program includes panel discussions on the following topics:

• Institutionalizing gender equality in the Security and Defense sector;
• Protecting the rights of service members and combating gender-based violence;
• Material support in the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
• Inclusion and diversity in the Security and Defense sector.

Kateryna Pryimak, head of the VETERANKA movement, will moderate the panel “Protecting the rights of service members and combating gender-based violence”.

Accreditation is required to participate in the event.

Note: The Forum is organized with the support of the following partners: British Embassy in Ukraine, Special Defense Advisor Program, VETERANKA Movement, StateWatch, and UK International Development.

• military
• women
• Kyiv

Peaceful gatherings will take place in 24 cities to draw attention to the defenders of Azovstal and other military personnel still held in enemy captivity.

On March 22, rallies will be held in Okhtyrka, Chernihiv, Arbuzynka, Vinnytsia, Irpin, Svitlovodsk, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Pavlohrad, and Obukhiv.

On March 23, events are planned in Kyiv, Pivdennoukrainsk, Uman, Krolevets, Korop, Ovruch, Kremenchuk, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, Pryluky, Dolynske, Ostroh, Shostka, Odesa, Brovary, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Korosten, Uzhhorod, Kharkiv, Lozova, Poltava, Berdychiv, and Kropyvnytskyi.

The rallies are organized by the families of prisoners of war from the Mariupol garrison, with former captives often taking part in the events.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv