Themes by tag: military

Dmytro Bigas comes from a town in the north of Moldova. The man moved to Ukraine 15 years ago. Here he graduated from the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, and later received Ukrainian citizenship. While still a student, the man managed to work in a craft bakery and a restaurant. It was then that he realized what he dreams of doing – he wants to bake bread. In 2021, Dmytro was a chief in the kitchen in Lviv at a new focacceria (an establishment specializing in baking traditional Italian bread). However, due to the Covid epidemic, the focacceria had to be closed, so Dmytro began to teach cooking to people in Lviv, Ivano Frankivsk and Chernivtsi.  

In October 2023, the man was drafted to the Defense Forces. In the army, he received the call sign “Chief.” At first, the military man became a sniper, but later he worked as an assault scout in Klishchiivka district of Donetsk region, where he took part in the first serious assault. At that time, Dmytro lost his brother in arms and vowed to take revenge.

Dmytro recently changed his military profession and became an operator of attack UAVs. In order not to lose himself in the war, he turned to his subscribers on social networks asking them to help him purchase a bread machine. After all, he wanted to continue doing what he loves. So now, between combat missions, the soldier bakes four to eight loaves of bread. “Chef’s” brothers in arms enjoy his craft bread.

For reference: Dmytro Bigas is currently in the Donetsk sector. The soldier is ready to communicate with journalists, both online and offline, by prior arrangement.

• military

Prior to 2014, Pavlish served as an assistant judge until Russia’s aggression sparked his call to arms, leading him to join the 53rd Brigade for over a year of frontline combat. Upon demobilization, Pavlish pivoted to entrepreneurship in his native Lviv region, venturing into farming where he cultivated wheat, soybeans, and sweet potatoes. Following a successful initial harvest, Pavlish entered the #VARTO competition hosted by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, vying for funding to acquire an agricultural drone for his farm. His proposal secured approval, securing the necessary funds. Empowered by the foundation’s support, Pavlish procured his inaugural agricultural drone, employing fellow veterans of the Russia-Ukraine war to operate it effectively.

Amidst the escalation of the conflict, Ivan once more answered the call to arms while simultaneously overseeing his sweet potato farm from a distance. In a recent development, he successfully secured another victory in a competition sponsored by the UVF. With his sights set on expanding operations, Ivan intends to purchase a second drone and assemble a new team of veterans to bolster farm productivity by the end of the summer. 

For reference: Ivan Pavlish remains stationed on the front line, available for online interviews with journalists.

• military

The Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families and the Animalism by UAnimals Shop have launched a unique clothing collection—animals waiting for their owners’ release from captivity series. Two years ago, following orders, Mariupol’s defenders left the Azovstal plant, and most have been held captive since. The entire country, along with their Ukrainian fighter’s families, friends, and pets, eagerly awaits the return of these heroes.

The Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families partnered with the Animalism by UAnimals store for this collection. Kateryna Prokopenko, head of the Association and wife of soldier Denys “Redis” Prokopenko, created the drawings. A talented illustrator designed a series, inspired by real animals waiting for their pet parents to come home freed from captivity.

For example, Chiara the female pit bull eagerly awaits Taras during his walks, always excited to see someone who resembles her owner from a distance. Oleksandr constantly carried his cat Marta in his arms, and before the full-scale invasion, he dreamed of taking her to a military base. Rem, the dog, enjoyed walking in the woods with his friend Serhii, but he became highly stressed by the noise of explosions after the invasion began. Sadly, Rem passed away before Serhiy was released from captivity. There are similar stories about other animals.

All proceeds from the T-shirt sales will go to the UAnimals humanitarian movement, which rescues animals affected by the war.

For reference: Denys Prokopenko, known by his call sign “Redis,” is a colonel and the commander of the 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov” of the National Guard of Ukraine. A participant in the Russia-Ukraine war and a Hero of Ukraine, Prokopenko was captured by Russian forces in May 2022 after leaving the Azovstal plant in Mariupol. At that time, the highest military command had ordered the city’s defense to cease to save the soldiers’ lives. He was released from captivity in September 2022. 

The defense of Mariupol lasted 86 days and concluded on May 20, 2022.

• animals
• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv

At 39 years old, Victoriia Prokhorenko resides in Kryvyi Rih with her son and daughter. Her husband, Anton, swiftly mobilized upon the commencement of the full-blown invasion, rising to the rank of squad leader in a Special Forces battalion of the National Guard within months. However, upon his return home a year and a half ago, Victoriia noticed a stark transformation in Anton’s demeanor. Afflicted with PTSD, he struggled to reintegrate into family life despite her efforts and the assistance of a psychologist. Anton’s sleeplessness and subsequent alcohol consumption culminated in hospitalization due to a micro-stroke, instilling fear even in their children. Consequently, the couple made the difficult decision to part ways, navigating the challenges of PTSD recovery and family dynamics.

In the midst of adversity, Victoriia hit the ground running, taking up educational training and delving into the field of psychology. Determined to sustain her relationship with her beloved, she faithfully communicated with him daily. After several months, Anton reconnected and began applying the psychological techniques imparted by his wife. Within a month, Victoriia won her husband back home. 

Presently, Victoriia is on the cusp of completing her studies and is already strategizing her approach to support military spouses and children. She is eager for her experiences to resonate with women who may feel isolated in their struggles amid the backdrop of war.

Victoriia Prokhorenko is available for interviews, both in-person in Kryvyi Rih and online. 

• casualties
• military
• psychological support
• women

Myroslav Kobylianskyi, a veteran who enlisted in 2012. Serving since March 2015 in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) and subsequently in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) in eastern Ukraine, he witnessed the onset of the war in Mariupol. His unit engaged in combat until redeployment, facing the challenges of repelling a full-scale Russian invasion.

Myroslav Kobylianskyi, a native of Kolomyia, has adopted Mariupol as his second home. Even prior to the all-out invasion, Kobylianskyi had a passion for photography, initially snapping shots on his phone before upgrading to a camera. Venturing into aerial photography in 2020, he utilized a drone to compile an extensive archive of Mariupol’s imagery. Although he kept his work private before the eruption of war, following February 24, 2022, his wife encouraged him to assemble a photo book, aptly titled “My Mariupol and the World Around.” Kobylianskyi self-funded the project, supplemented by contributions from friends and patrons, distributing copies to 35 countries. Subsequently, exhibitions featuring his work were held in the United States, Australia, and Ukraine, all stemming from the photo book. Despite his ongoing military service, Kobylianskyi maintains his passion for photography, entertaining the possibility of a future project centered on the Donetsk region’s frontline and surrounding areas. 

For reference: Myroslav Kobylianskyi remains stationed at the front line and is available for interviews with journalists, both online and in-person, with prior arrangement.

• culture
• military

Anhelina has been serving in the Defense Forces for five years. In the army, she received the call sign “Max” and prefers to be addressed this way. In addition, Anhelina uses two pronouns: both he and she.

Now “Max” is 23 years old. When the full-scale invasion started the comms specialist’s contract with the army was completed. However, already on February 25, “Max” was at the Recruitment Office, ready to return to military service. The soldier claims that within over 2 years since the beginning of the full-scale war, there has been a noticeable progress in tolerance towards the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition, “Max” is a member of LGBT-military NGO and the administrator of the Sisters in Arms chat for LGBT military women.

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

• military
• LGBT

Georgian-born Rusudana Pavlichenko, found herself abroad attending her father’s funeral as the full-scale invasion unfolded. Her history with conflict traces back to childhood when, at the tender age of 10, she fled her first conflict, the war in Abkhazia, seeking refuge in Ukraine. Since then, she has called Ukraine home, living here throughout her adult years.

Rusudana’s husband, Serhii Pavlichenko, a stalwart defender of Ukraine against occupiers since 2014, bravely held the defense of Azovstal during the full-scale invasion before being captured. Tragically, he fell victim to a terrorist attack in Olenivka, a village within the occupied territory of Donetsk region, on the night of July 28-29, 2022. Left behind are their two children, Adelia, 10, and Nazar, 8.

Journalists seeking to delve into Rusudana’s story can arrange interviews with her in Cherkasy or online, by prior arrangement. 

Meanwhile, the Children of Heroes charity foundation has stepped in to support the grieving family. Dedicated to aiding children who have lost parents due to russia’s full-scale invasion, the foundation offers financial aid, psychological counseling, legal assistance, and ongoing educational opportunities until the children reach adulthood.

For reference: In the late hours of July 29, 2022, russia executed a terrorist assault, igniting an explosion within a barracks at the Olenivka penal colony, where Ukrainian prisoners of war were detained. The attack resulted in the tragic loss of at least 50 Azovstal workers amidst the turmoil.

• dead
• military
• occupation
• women
• Cherkasy
• Mariupol

At the briefing, among other things, the participants will discuss how to rescue the fighters of the “Azov” brigade from captivity: what is already being done, and what still needs doing. In particular, they will talk about the prisoners of war who were injured during the terrorist attack in Olenivka, because their fate still remains unknown, and the Day of Remembrance for the defenders killed in Olenivka has not been officially allocated yet.

Participants:

Maria Alieksieievych — representative “Olenivka Families Community” NGO, wife of a twice-wounded defender of Mariupol;

Hanna Lobova — representative “Olenivka Families Community” NGO, the wife of a twice-wounded defender of Mariupol;

Anastasia Hondiul — representative “Olenivka Families Community” NGO “, the wife of a twice-wounded defender of Mariupol;

Tetiana Katrychenko — representative of the Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIHR),

Andrii Yakovlev — MIHR representative.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv

On May 6, veteran Serhii Khrapko, who was seriously injured in 2015 when he lost his left arm and left leg, will go on a one-day walking marathon from Kyiv to Boryspil using a prosthesis. The goal is to raise funds to pay for the continuation of the rehabilitation of Oleksandr Nadtochyi, who was seriously injured in 2022 near Bakhmut. The required amount is UAH 650,000.

Serhii believes that he will be able to collect the required amount on the way to Boryspil, if not, he will be forced to make the return journey.

For reference: This is not Serhii Khrapko’s first walking marathon. In May 2023, together with his brother Oleksandr Shvetsov (a veteran with a prosthetic leg), they walked the distance from Zhytomyr to Kyiv to collect money for a gastroscope for the reception department of a Kyiv hospital. They were awarded by the National Register of Records of Ukraine for this achievement.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Anna Ziablikova is from Kharkiv. Even before the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Anna had attained a higher education in molecular biology. As a graduate, her studies delved into vertebrate zoology, with a particular focus on bats. After completing her studies in 2020, Anna applied for a scholarship under the Erasmus Mundus international program. She won and went abroad to study tropical ecology and biodiversity. The master’s program was divided between several European universities, so the girl moved every semester. The news that russia had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine reached Anna in Belgium.

Anna returned to the Motherland a few months after the big war started and volunteered at the Lviv train station by helping doctors and packing supplies for the military. Anna’s beloved joined the army in March 2022, and he sent her a message that the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade “Magura” was recruiting volunteers, which is where Anna eventually joined. At first, she was a clerk, but for the past six months, Anna has been serving in the brigade’s medical company. She is a nurse-gunner with the evacuation crew and at the stabilization post. In addition, Anna takes care of wounded servicemen who can’t perform their duties, in particular, she helps them deal with the necessary documents.

For reference: Anna Ziablikova is on the front line. The military woman is ready to communicate with journalists, both online and offline, by prior arrangement.

• doctors
• military
• women