Themes by tag: military

Vilhelm Vitiuk, 22, grew up in Crimea before his family relocated to mainland Ukraine following russia’s occupation of the peninsula in 2014. That same year, his father joined the Defense Forces, and by 2015, his brother had been mobilized. Vilhelm himself enlisted in the military before the full-scale invasion, serving in the 56th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade when russian forces attacked Mariupol.

During the fierce battles for the city, Vitiuk and his unit defended the Illich Iron and Steel Works. In early April 2022, he was wounded by enemy cluster munitions. Soon after, he and his comrades were encircled and taken prisoner by russian forces. Life in captivity was brutal—Vitiuk recalls being beaten at least four times a week, in addition to relentless interrogations. His captors singled him out for particularly harsh treatment because of the Ukrainian coat of arms tattooed on his arm.

Despite the torment, Vitiuk clung to the promise he had made to his mother—to return home. When he was once again given civilian clothes, he feared he was simply being transferred to another detention facility. But a day later, he found himself back in Ukraine—freed in a prisoner exchange.

Now a veteran, Vitiuk is studying psychology with the goal of supporting fellow soldiers. He is available for meetings in Kyiv, both online and in person, by appointment.

• casualties
• military
• occupation
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

The war separated Illia and Alina, border guards in Mariupol, in the spring of 2022. Both were captured by the enemy and had no information about each other. Illia even feared that his beloved might no longer be alive.

After five months in captivity, Alina was released in October 2022 and has been waiting for Illia’s return ever since. For almost two years, there was no news of him. But on January 3, 2024, the phone rang, and within seconds she heard the familiar voice say the long-awaited words: “It’s me…” Illia returned home, and the couple had recently been married.

• military
• prisoners
• women

The Lviv State University of Internal Affairs has a driving school for people with disabilities. Since the launch of the “Without Barriers” project, 20 students have received their driving licenses. Among them are seven servicemen who were injured on the front lines.

In September 2024, the driving school began training people with hearing and speech impairments. The students completed the theoretical course with the help of sign language interpreters. Currently, some students have already passed the theoretical exam and are preparing for practical driving lessons. Driving practice is also carried out with the help of interpreters.

You can communicate with the project participants and instructors of the driving school for people with disabilities online or offline by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Lviv

21-year-old Mariia is from the temporarily occupied town of Lysychansk, Luhansk oblast. In 2020, she enrolled in the National Guard Academy in Kharkiv. In 2022, when the full-scale war began, her parents evacuated to Dnipro. Mariia’s mother, Olha, had worked in the maternity ward of a hospital in Lysychansk for over 20 years. In Dnipro, Olha found work as a nurse in a private clinic, but soon saw an advertisement calling for people to join the military.

Mariia advised her mother to join the 13th Khartiia Brigade of the National Guard. After graduating from the academy, Mariia joined her mother in the military.  Today, Olha is a junior sergeant and a nurse in a mobile dental clinic, while Mariia serves as an officer in the personnel department of the Khartiia Brigade.

At home, they are supported by Mariia’s father, who served in the State Emergency Service for over 30 years and is now retired. Mariia also has an older brother who serves as a combat medic in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

You can communicate with Mariia and Olha, either online or in person, by prior arrangement.

• military
• women

Kyiv to host a briefing at Media Center Ukraine on January 28 titled “From Olenivka to the Hague: Who will be held accountable for the treacherous killing of Ukrainian POWs?”

Participants:

– Roman Martynovskyi, Senior Expert of the Regional Center for Human Rights;

– Tetiana Katrychenko, Executive Director of the Media Initiative for Human Rights;

– Oleksandra Mazur, Head of the NGO “Olenivka Community”;

– Roman Tsyb, Representative of the 18th Department of the General Prosecutor’s Office. 

All in person.

Topics of focus:

– What really happened on the night of July 28-29, 2022?

– How did russia itself react to the mass killing of POWs in Olenivka?

– What key facts have been established as a result of investigations by civil society organizations?

– How should russia’s criminal actions be properly classified?

– Who is responsible for the killing and torture of Ukrainian POWs?

– What are the specifics of the national investigation in Ukraine?

– What are the challenges for the return of the Azovstal defenders?

– Are there prospects for an investigation by the International Criminal Court?

The event will also present a joint submission by six civil society organizations to the International Criminal Court aimed at ensuring the principle of inevitability of punishment for war crimes committed by the russian federation.

• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

In a remarkable blend of art and healing, an organ built using fragments of enemy missiles that struck the Kyiv region is being used to aid the psychological and physical rehabilitation of wounded defenders. Over the next two months, musicians from the Lviv Organ Hall will conduct a series of master classes for patients at the Unbroken Ukraine’s National Rehabilitation Center. These sessions will allow participants to play this extraordinary instrument and learn about its history and mechanics.  

The organ, currently installed at the Lviv railway station, is the creation of Ukrainian artist Zhanna Kadyrova. It was developed as part of the Instrument project, a series of performances that brought together Ukrainian and international musicians. Over the course of two months, performers delivered their programs at the station every Friday and Saturday, using the organ as a centerpiece.  

For reference: The rehabilitation initiative for Ukraine’s wounded defenders is a joint effort supported by Ukrzaliznytsia, the Lviv Organ Hall, and the Lviv City Council. 

• casualties
• culture
• military
• psychological support
• Lviv

For 16 years, Nataliia and Maksym Shyshkin built their life together. Maksym worked in transportation across Ukraine, and when the full-scale invasion began, it found him on the road. In the early hours of February 24, 2022, he was driving home from Odesa. By the next day, he had already reported to the military registration office. His words to Nataliia were resolute: “I have two sons growing up. I have to defend our land so the occupiers don’t come here.”

Maksym served as a combat medic. Initially, he joined the Border Guard Service of Ukraine before being assigned to the 15th Mobile Border Guard Detachment. He defended the Chernihiv region, later Donetsk, and braved numerous conflict zones.

During one of his missions, Maksym came under heavy artillery fire and suffered a critical injury to his temple. His comrades, risking their own lives, evacuated him and transported him to a hospital in Dnipro. Maksym slipped into a coma, and Nataliia stayed by his side for days. In a moment filled with both hope and heartbreak, Nataliia’s father-in-law brought their eldest son, Tymofii, to the hospital. The boy walked into the ward, took his father’s hand, and softly said, “Hi, Dad, I’m next to you.” The machines monitoring Maksym’s vitals suddenly sounded alarms as his heart gave out. That was his final moment.

The loss of her husband plunged Nataliia into deep grief. But one day, Tymofii approached her, wrapped his arms around her, and said something that changed everything: “Mom, you should dress nicely, put on some makeup, do your hair, and take a walk with me. You are the best one here. Dad is proud of you. He chose a great mom for us.” The unwavering love of her sons, coupled with her dedication to her work, helped her reclaim her life. Nataliia, a passionate cosmetologist, found solace in her profession, which became a source of strength during the darkest days.

Nataliia and her sons are now supported by the Children of Heroes charity foundation. This organization aids children who have lost one or both parents due to Russia’s full-scale invasion. It provides financial assistance, psychological and legal support, and ensures the children’s education and development until they reach adulthood.

• dead
• military
• women
• Vinnytsia

Launched in 2024, the “Strong 300” running club was created by wounded military members to support their fellow servicemen and women on a personal, one-to-one level. The club focuses on promoting adaptive sports while offering physical rehabilitation through running for veterans and their families. Beyond fitness, it aims to uplift the psychological well-being of Ukrainians and organizes running events for both veterans and active military personnel.

All members undergo comprehensive evaluations at a diagnostic center before beginning their training, which is held in both an athletics arena and outdoor settings.

Currently, the club consists of 10 members, some of whom are preparing to compete in veteran-specific distances at international races.

Journalists interested in covering the club’s training sessions in Kyiv can do so by prior arrangement.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

Researchers in Kyiv have developed an innovative medical dressing, Gidrobint, designed to accelerate the healing of burns and wounds. This pioneering hydrogel dressing, created using silver nanoparticle technology, was developed by Professor Volodymyr Neimash of the Institute of Physics at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Gidrobint comes in two forms: a wound dressing and a disinfectant spray.  

The idea for Gidrobint originated in 2014 after the battle for Ilovaisk in Donetsk Oblast, where hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers were injured. Scientists patented the underlying technology in 2017 and introduced the dressing in 2020. Initially, small batches of Gidrobint were independently produced and delivered to the front lines by volunteers.  

When russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the researchers offered their technology to manufacturers free of charge to facilitate mass production. By 2023, entrepreneurs acquired a license for the technology, automating and certifying the production process. In 2024, Gidrobint officially entered large-scale manufacturing.  

For reference: This next-generation Gidrobint hydrogel bandage provides instant pain relief, disinfection, and protection from external infections. It is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and speeds up the healing process without adhering to wounds, ensuring painless removal.  

Journalists interested in learning more about Gidrobint can arrange interviews with its developer, Professor Neimash, as well as with manufacturers and doctors experienced in using the product.  

• casualties
• doctors
• military
• Kyiv

Mykyta Horniak, a veteran of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, has transformed personal tragedy into a mission to help others. Originally from Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov) in the Luhansk region—now under russian occupation—Mykyta moved to Odesa in 2015 and joined the Azov civilian corps. A year later, at the age of 20, he was mobilized into Ukraine’s Defense Forces, where he served on the front lines for six years.  

In December 2022, while fighting near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region, Mykyta sustained a severe injury that resulted in the loss of his leg. Determined to remain active, he initially explored options for continuing military service with a prosthetic limb. However, he ultimately decided to channel his efforts into a new venture in civilian life.  

During his rehabilitation, Mykyta’s fiancée, Kateryna, played a pivotal role in supporting him. She encouraged his idea of creating a limited-edition clothing line honoring wounded soldiers. Starting with patches and printed designs on T-shirts, Mykyta quickly realized the need for adaptive clothing designed specifically for individuals with amputations—clothing that would be both functional and comfortable. Now, Mykyta is preparing to launch his brand, fittingly named “All Inclusive,” and is awaiting test samples of the adaptive apparel. 

For those interested, Mykyta and Kateryna are available to meet in person or online in Lviv by appointment.

• casualties
• military
• occupation
• Lviv