Themes by tag: military

Svitlana Sysoieva, a mother of two Ukrainian defenders from the Kharkiv region. Her eldest son, Serhii, was a seasoned fighter and a devoted patriot. At just 17, he joined the Revolution of Dignity, later fought in the Anti-Terrorist Operation/Joint Forces Operations (ATO/JFO), and from the early days of russia’s full-scale invasion, served in Ukraine’s Special Forces, often deployed to the front line’s most dangerous hotspots.

In the summer of 2022, Serhii was killed during a combat mission. Svitlana says he wasn’t supposed to be on that operation, but when the unit lacked a medic, he volunteered to go with his fellow soldiers. An enemy bullet struck him in the head. Although he was evacuated, doctors couldn’t save him. Serhii was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage,” III degree.

Svitlana’s younger son, Maksym, signed a military contract in 2021. After Serhii’s death, he stayed on the front lines. In December 2022, he was seriously wounded, losing part of his leg, and was later discharged from service.

In the summer of 2023, Svitlana channeled her pain into purpose and launched a women’s clothing brand, one that also creates adaptive garments tailored to the needs of wounded veterans. Today, Maksym works alongside his mother, helping grow the business.

Svitlana is available for interviews both online and in person in the Kharkiv region, by appointment.

• casualties
• dead
• military
• women
• Kharkiv

Mykola Shot, a 40-year-old veteran and patient-mentor at the UNBROKEN Center, lost both arms and legs in a mortar attack. Yet, even four amputations couldn’t stop him from returning to one of his greatest passions: driving.

Mykola has 20 years of driving experience, and getting back behind the wheel was a priority for him. To make this possible, prosthetist Oles Solodukha from the UNBROKEN Center fitted the veteran’s adaptive car with specialized steering and door modifications.

The purchase of the car became possible thanks to a charity run in Mykola’s hometown of Novoiavorivsk, where organizers and benefactors managed to raise 450,000 hryvnias.

Journalists can arrange interviews with Mykola in Lviv by prior request.

• casualties
• military
• Lviv

Mykyta Shastun joined the military several years before the full-scale invasion. He served in the 56th Brigade, fought on the outskirts of Donetsk Airport, and trained to become a sergeant.

After the full-scale invasion began, he and his brother Ihor joined the Azov Regiment to defend Mariupol. On April 1, his brother was killed. In May 2022, Mykyta and his comrades were ordered to lay down their weapons and surrender.

He ended up in the Olenivka colony in the occupied Donetsk oblast. He recalls extreme hardship: prisoners starving due to a lack of food and water. Soon, the Azov fighters were moved to another barracks where an explosion rocked the facility at night. Miraculously, Mykyta survived with only a concussion. He helped wounded comrades, though the russians provided no medical aid. He was then transferred from Olenivka to Taganrog, russia, before finally returning to Ukraine on December 31, 2022.

Journalists can contact Mykyta Shastun online by prior arrangement.

Background: The defense of Mariupol lasted 86 days, 82 of which were in complete encirclement. From May 16 to 20, 2022, the Mariupol garrison received orders to cease defending the city and surrender.

On the night of July 29, 2022, russia committed a terrorist act blowing up the Olenivka penal colony barracks holding Ukrainian POWs. At least 50 defenders of Azovstal were killed, and more than a hundred were injured.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes

In Lviv, a group of severely wounded Ukrainian defenders, all recovering at the UNBROKEN Center, working on something remarkable – they’re building a yacht. Now in the final stages of construction, the project will be showcased on July 16, when media are invited to witness the near-complete vessel before its launch.

The idea took root during a recreational rehabilitation trip. Patients visited a sailing center, where they were introduced to the world of yachting. Inspired and energized, the group returned with a bold vision: to build a boat of their own.

Construction began in February. Since then, more than 30 veterans and active-duty servicemen undergoing treatment, rehabilitation, or prosthetic fitting at the UNBROKEN Center have taken part in the effort.

The initiative was sparked by 32-year-old Ruslan Kukhta, a patient at the center who served for over two years in eastern Ukraine before sustaining a serious injury that nearly cost him his leg. Among those contributing are veterans with prosthetic limbs and others recovering from complex trauma.

One of them is Mykhailo Ternavskyi, a 22-year-old soldier with the Third Assault Brigade. “Our main goal is to launch the yacht, sail those first few meters, and feel what all our hard work has gone into,” he says.

Accreditation is required to attend the event.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Lviv

When russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Vita Anniuk was living thousands of miles away in Italy. But distance didn’t stop her. She had been abroad for two years, yet the moment war broke out, she packed her bags and returned home.

At first, Vita threw herself into volunteering. But it wasn’t enough. Within a month, she made the decision to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Her initial attempt at mobilization was rejected, officials cited her lack of military experience. But Vita didn’t give up. For six months, she showed up at the military recruitment center regularly, reminding them she was ready and willing to serve.

In October 2022, her persistence paid off. She received her military ID and joined the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade. Thanks to her background in psychology, she was assigned to the combat stress control group, where she helped soldiers cope with the psychological toll of war.

Soon after, she was transferred to the 505th Separate Marine Battalion and appointed deputy commander of an air assault company, a role that placed her on the front lines.

Vita served in some of the most active combat zones in the Donetsk and Kherson regions. She took part in evacuating the wounded during operations in Krynky, came under mortar fire, and even provided medical care to captured russian troops.

Vita Anniuk is available for interviews, both online and in person, with prior approval from a press officer. She will be in Kyiv until July 17 before returning to her unit.

• military
• women
• Kyiv

Artem Yakovlev is both a serviceman and president of the Kherson regional club of traditional Okinawan Goju-ryu karate-do.

He signed a contract with the Defense Forces even before the full-scale invasion, inspired after one of his students enlisted. 

Artem first saw combat in Donetsk oblast. Meanwhile, his karate club became a shelter for locals during occupation. Among those hiding there were eight conscripts from the Skadovsk garrison. Artem’s wife convinced russian occupiers they were merely athletes.

After Kherson’s liberation in fall 2023, Artem resumed training. He now teaches 18 students, holding sessions twice weekly – though he always confirms availability, as military duty sometimes interrupts.

You can contact Artem Yakovlev online or in-person in Kherson by prior arrangement.

• children
• military
• occupation
• Kherson

When the full-scale invasion began, Annetka set her heart on serving in the Ukrainian military to fight the enemy. Being underage at the time, she was initially unable to enlist. Once she reached the required age, she signed a contract with the 13th Khartiia Operational Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, immediately expressing her desire to work with drones.

Annetka completed basic training, which covered the fundamentals of FPV drones operations, and was assigned to a technical unit. She now supports her fellow soldiers by assembling drones destined for the frontline. Additionally, she is actively learning to pilot FPV drones, intending to become a UAV operator soon.

Annetka is available for interviews both online and in person by prior arrangement and with approval from the press officer.

• military
• women

Oleh Symoroz joined the ranks of Ukraine’s Defense Forces at the onset of the full-scale invasion. He defended the Kyiv region as part of the Territorial Defense Forces before being deployed to the East with his unit. In October 2022, during a combat mission, Oleh’s vehicle struck an enemy mine. The soldier lost both legs and sustained a severe jaw fracture.

Oleh underwent bilateral above-knee amputations, one of the most complex types for prosthetic rehabilitation. Committed to his recovery, he diligently pursued rehabilitation and, with the support of medical professionals and his own determination, successfully adapted to using prostheses. Yet, Oleh’s challenges extended beyond his injuries: the apartment he had been renting in Kyiv was ill-equipped to accommodate a person with disabilities.

Determined to improve his living conditions, Oleh purchased his own home and customized it to meet his needs. Nevertheless, despite residing in a newly constructed building, the complex lacks adequate accessibility and inclusive features for people with disabilities.

Oleh Symoroz is available to connect both online and in person in Kyiv by appointment.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

On July 9, the Media Center Ukraine will host a briefing of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade UGV Operator School.

Participants:

– Viktor “Stark” Pavlov, Founder of the UGV Operator School and Platoon Commander of Unmanned Ground Robotic Systems with the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade.

Key topics:

– Structure and operations of the UGV Operator School, including government support and project funding;

– Core objectives and intended audiences of the program;

– How civilians can enroll and participate in the training.

The Operator School for unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) is a cutting-edge military initiative launched by the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. These robotic platforms are already transforming the dynamics of modern warfare by taking on high-risk tasks such as logistics, reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, engineering, and direct fire support. The school provides civilians and service members alike with access to the skills needed to become future UGV operators or engineers. It stands as Ukraine’s first center to merge combat-tested experience, technical innovation, and a new approach to military training.

• military

Dmytro Demchenko is from Druzhkivka in the Donetsk oblast. In 2016, he dedicated his life to the military, completing compulsory service before signing a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In 2023, he joined the 23rd Brigade, first serving as a gunner before becoming the commander of a Grad-21 MLRS. He took part in the counteroffensive in the Zaporizhzhia sector.

On January 20, 2024, Dmytro was severely injured when an enemy shell landed just seven meters away from him. He underwent eight surgeries, but doctors had to amputate his mangled arm and leg. Following treatment, the veteran was transferred to a rehabilitation center.

Struggling with the aftermath of his wounds, Dmytro found it hard to see a reason to go on. Eventually, he set a goal for himself — to find work. After an interview, he became an administrator at Vybir (“Choice”), a Lviv-based space for the veterans.

There, for the first time, he felt understood and surrounded by people who shared his experiences. He enjoys working with fellow servicemen and plans to soon get a prosthetic arm and enroll in law school.

You can connect with Dmytro Demchenko and the Vybir team online or in person in Lviv by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Lviv