Themes by tag: military

Kyiv has recently kicked off an equine therapy program catered to both female and male veterans, including those in wheelchairs. 

This holistic approach, known as hippotherapy, utilizes interactions with horses to enhance both physical and psychological well-being.

The initiative, titled “Equine Assisted Therapy for Veterans and Wounded,” aims to accommodate 30 participants over a three-month period from April to June 2024. Notably, participation in the program is free of charge.

For reference: This project is spearheaded by the NGO “Union of Wounded Military of Ukraine ‘Strong 300’,” in collaboration with the Veterans Reintegration Program supported by IREX and the US Department of State.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Peaceful demonstrations are slated across at least 15 cities to advocate for the Azovstal defenders in Mariupol and other military personnel still held captive by the enemy.

On April 13, gatherings will occur in Dnipro, Okhtyrka, Pavlohrad, Vinnytsia, and Krolevets.

On April 14, rallies are scheduled in Kyiv, Kremenchuk, Ovruch, Chernivtsi, Kryvyi Rih, Ternopil, Odesa, Rivne, and Truskavets.

These events are spearheaded by the families of POWs from the Mariupol garrison.

• military
• prisoners

Maryna and Mykola are both military; they met in 2019 in the army. The woman had two daughters from a previous marriage — Olena and Oleksandra. Mykola also has a daughter named Milana. At first, the family lived in Mariupol, Donetsk region (now the city is occupied), then they moved to Berdiansk, Zaporizhia region (now the city is occupied).

The couple served in the Azov brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine. In 2020, Mykola resigned from the Azov and joined the Marines. Maryna’s contract ended in November 2021, but she did not want to leave her brothers in arms.

When the full-scale invasion began, Maryna, along with other Azov defenders of Mariupol ended up at the Azovstal plant (i.e. Iron and Steel Works where fierce battles with the enemy took place in the spring of 2022). Mykola wanted to switch with Marina and go to Azovstal instead of her. The woman persuaded him not to do this because at the checkpoint, the russians shot three guys who were on their way to meet their girlfriends, and many others who broke through to the plant went missing. Even then, Maryna understood that she and other military personnel were unlikely to get out of the Azovstal alive. And she asked her husband to take care of her daughters. On May 8, 2022, the woman died in a fire at the Azovstal.

Now Mykola is fighting for the right to adopt his deceased wife’s daughters and give them a happy future. He is purchasing a three-room apartment for the girls in the Kyiv region so they can live together as a family.

With the help of the Children of Heroes Fund, Maryna’s daughters received gifts and visited a rehabilitation camp, which helped them to distract themselves from terrible memories and disturbing thoughts.

For reference: the defense of Mariupol lasted 86 days. Following the order of the command, the Ukrainian defenders stopped putting up the defense, left Azovstal, and surrendered to the enemy. On May 20, 2022, Mariupol was occupied by russia.

The Children of Heroes Charity Fund supports children who have lost one or both parents due to russia’s full-scale invasion. The fund offers financial aid as well as psychological and legal support. The organization helps these children with education and development until they reach adulthood.

As of the beginning of February, 7,889 wards are under the care of the Fund. Of them, 1,062 are IDPs, 151 children have lost their mother and father, 177 are children with disabilities, and 970 are children from large families. Every week, about 80 children are included in the list of recipients of the fund’s help. Among the fund’s children, 88% are kids of military personnel, while the remaining 12% are civilians.

• casualties
• children
• dead
• military
• women
• Kyiv
• Mariupol

Oleksandr Popyk was a biker before the war, as he loves speed and motorcycles. Back in 2014, he volunteered to the front. In October 2022, he was injured during an assault operation: he suffered a spinal cord injury. He lost the ability to walk and ended up in a wheelchair.

Oleksandr became one of the people to take advantage of free interior design consultations. He received help from representatives of the “Active Rehabilitation Group” whose work is supported by the “League of the Strong” union (the “We Unite and Help amidst the War” project).

Among other things, Oleksandr received help with the new bathroom design, particularly specific drawings. Then Oleksandr made renovations on his own. They also discussed issues related to the design of the adjacent territory.

In total, 52 people with disabilities received free consultations on interior design as a part of the project “We Unite and Help amidst the War.”

Journalists have an opportunity to learn more about the implementation of the project and receive comments from specialists in Kyiv, as well as to talk to Oleksandr in Kyiv region.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Andrii Badarak, a veteran who served on the front lines from 2015 through volatile areas like Zaitseve, Zolote, and Shyrokyne, endured a life-altering injury in 2016 when he was struck by a mine near Shyrokyne, sustaining severe injuries to his lungs and spine. 

Despite the setback, Badarak’s resilience shone through as he joined Ukraine’s national team for the Invictus Games in 2019, competing in swimming and archery at Invictus Game The Hague 2020 event. His dedication paid off as he clinched the top spot in the 50-meter backstroke, surpassing his previous performance. 

In 2021, Badarak achieved the prestigious title of Master of Sports in Swimming at the Ukrainian Swimming Championships for individuals with musculoskeletal disorders. Demonstrating his commitment to giving back, he transitioned to a coaching role in 2023, serving as an assistant swimming coach for the Invictus Games national team, and mentoring young boys facing similar challenges. 

Journalists seeking to interview Badarak can reach him either in person in the Rivne region or via online platforms.

In Ukraine, preparations are underway for the 2025 Invictus Games as the selection process for the Ukrainian national team kicks off. Starting April 8, eligible candidates can register to vie for a spot on the team set to represent Ukraine at the prestigious event in Vancouver-Whistler, Canada. Journalists interested in learning more about this initial phase of the selection process can obtain additional details. 

For reference: The Invictus Games stand as the premier international gathering for veterans and military personnel who have endured injuries, trauma, or illnesses during their service, underscoring the resilience and spirit of these individuals.

• casualties
• military
• Rivne

Ivan Shostak, who initially served in the 79th Air Assault Brigade during the Russian-Ukrainian war of 2015, returned to civilian life after his contract ended. 

However, when the all-out invasion escalated in 2022, he reenlisted and was injured, resulting in blindness during a mission in the Bakhmut sector. Following rehabilitation, Shostak immersed himself in pottery, mastering the craft within four months. He now produces clay items adorned with his personal logo and slogan, “Nobody but us,” which he markets through exhibitions and social media. Shostak aims to gather funds for specialized education and hopes to launch a massage parlor in his hometown of Vinnytsia.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Vinnytsia

Ihor Salii linked his life with military service and sports. He studied at a military university and before the full-scale invasion he signed a contract with the army. In February 2022, Ihor was preparing for the big war, so when it began, he took his family to a safe place, and he himself returned to Kyiv and went to the military enlistment office. Ihor had to take up many positions in his unit: from a rifleman to a platoon commander. His unit worked in the Donetsk and Luhansk sectors, and later he took part in the Kharkiv counteroffensive. In one of the combat missions, Ihor was concussed and found out that he had two tumors that required surgery. Later, the soldier returned to the front line and was wounded. The doctor advised him to take up sports in order to rehabilitate. Ihor has always done sports, but this time, instead of practicing his favorite boxing, he had to learn archery.

In March 2024, the soldier went to the United States to take part in the United States Air Force and Marine Corps Trials, an adaptive sports competition. The athlete brought home two gold medals: in archery and volleyball.

• military

“Hunter” does not disclose his first and last name. Until 2014, he ran his own business. After russia attacked Ukraine for the first time, the man joined the army and served in the East. In the same year, “Hunter” and his brothers in arms were ambushed near Sloviansk. He was wounded, and ended up in the hospital. He returned to civilian life, started his own business, and in 2019 signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

When the full-scale invasion started, the serviceman was in Berdiansk, where he received an order to arrive in Mariupol. On February 26, “Hunter” went to Kamianske, and managed to stay there for 12 days. After that, he and his brothers in arms held positions at the dairy plant in Mariupol for 32 days. The defenders did not manage to get out of the enemy encirclement, so they ended up in russian captivity. “Hunter ” admits that in captivity he tried not to forget two things: his identification code and the phone number of his beloved.

For reference: “Hunter” is on the front line. The serviceman is ready to communicate with journalists, both online and offline, by prior arrangement.

• military
• prisoners

Peaceful demonstrations are planned in at least 15 cities to remind the public of the Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol’s “Azovstal” and other military personnel who are still held captive by the enemy.

On April 6, events will be held in Dnipro, Okhtyrka, Bila Tserkva, Pavlohrad, Vinnytsia, Krolevets and Lviv.

On April 7, rallies are planned in Kyiv, Cherkasy, Kremenchuk, Ovruch, Chernivtsi, Kryvyi Rih, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Odesa.

The events are organized by the families of the POWs from the Mariupol garrison.

• military
• prisoners
• Dnipro
• Kyiv
• Lviv
• Odesa

Hlib Stryzhko was persuaded not to sign the contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2021 by his brother, a military officer. However, Hlib still joined the army. When the full-scale invasion began, the soldier was in Mariupol with his brothers in arms. He led the amphibious assault division of the first separate battalion of marines. On April 10, 2022, Hlib was seriously injured when enemy shelling caused the concrete structures above him to collapse. His hip joints, jaw and eyes were damaged. Two days later, Hlib was captured by the russians, who held him captive for 17 days. After a long physical and psychological rehabilitation, Hlib received the group 2 disability status. Currently, Hlib is Head of the Kyiv branch of Veteran Hub.

Hlib Stryzhko is ready to communicate with journalists in Kyiv by prior agreement.

• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv
• Mariupol