Themes by tag: military

Before the full-scale invasion, Viacheslav Strazhets worked as a railway engineer and long-distance truck driver in European countries. On 25 February 2022 he joined the defense forces and became part of a separate machine-gun platoon of the Vinnytsia Angels rifle battalion, fighting on the Avdiivka front.

During one of his combat missions, Viacheslav was seriously wounded and lost his right arm. While in hospital, he wondered how he could help his fellow soldiers. So, during his rehabilitation, he took all the drone building courses he could find, ordered components and began assembling his first drone with his son and wife. The family spent a week building their first FPV drone: Viacheslav was still unable to hold a soldering iron with his prosthetic hand, so his wife took over.

Today, the veteran has fully mastered the use of his prosthetic arm and is adept with tools. He also received a grant from the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation to support the production of FPV drones, purchasing a 3D printer, controller and goggles to control the drones, while his 14-year-old son tests the drones before they are sent to the front lines.

• casualties
• military

Before the war, Mykhailo Sokolian worked as a wood processing plant operator. But when russia’s full-scale invasion began, he answered the call to defend his country. After completing military training, he joined the 4th Separate Tank Brigade as a sapper.

In August 2022, while on a mission, Sokolian suffered a serious injury that resulted in the loss of his leg. He was sent to the Netherlands for prosthetic treatment, where he received his first permanent prosthesis. Upon his return to Ukraine, he dedicated himself to mastering his new limb, with constant support from his wife and son.

Soon after, Mykhailo Sokolian found a new passion—adaptive sports. He began competing in events like the “Games of Heroes” and the “Invictus Games.” Most recently, he completed a 100-meter race using his prosthetic leg in an impressive 15 seconds.

Today, the veteran is not only focused on his personal achievements but also on helping fellow soldiers recover and embrace adaptive sports. Mykhailo hopes to promote these sports among the military community.
Currently based in the Volyn region, MykhailoSokolian is open to interviews, available for both in-person and online meetings by appointment.

• casualties
• military
• Lutsk

For over a decade, Oleksandr Chaika taught acrobatics with parkour elements to children. But when russia launched its full-scale invasion, he joined the Defense Forces and was deployed to the frontlines in Luhansk. He first fought in Lysychansk and later in Popasna. On April 6, 2022, a tank shell hit the trench where Oleksandr was stationed, injuring both of his legs. The damage was severe, and doctors had no choice but to amputate one limb.

Oleksandr traveled to the United States for a prosthetic fitting, receiving a waist-level prosthesis that demands immense physical effort and control over his back and core muscles just to walk.

After completing rehabilitation, he returned to Kyiv, where the parents of his former students urged him to start teaching again. He opened his own acrobatics studio, but demand quickly outgrew the space. The veteran soon expanded, opening a second location. Oleksandr not only plans to continue training children but also hopes to support fellow veterans in adapting to life with prostheses.

Oleksandr Chaika is currently based in Kyiv and is available for interviews with journalists both online and in person, upon request.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

Inna Korolenko mobilized with the Defense Forces at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. In the first two weeks of the great war, Inna lost her friends on the front line, so she joined the army to save the lives of other soldiers. Inna serves as a combat medic in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, organizing the evacuation of the wounded and dead from the battlefield. She has served in Vovchansk, Bakhmut, Soledar, and Marinka.

Last year, she suffered a shrapnel wound to the neck and a contusion.

During one of her rotations, Inna’s comrades suggested she apply for the Invictus Games. A friend collected her documents while Inna was still on duty. When the selection process began, Inna was in hospital recovering from a difficult rotation. But that did not stop her from competing in the qualifying events, and later it was sport that helped her find an environment where she was understood and supported. 

Inna Korolenko will represent Ukraine at the Invictus Games in Canada in February 2025, competing in skeleton, alpine skiing and swimming.

• military
• women

The Kyiv Unbroken Marathon will return to the capital on October 12-13, with ambitious plans to raise UAH 10 million for charitable causes. Since its inception in 2010, the marathon has centered on philanthropy, and this year, proceeds will benefit the Ukrainian army and various charitable initiatives.

The event will see participation from soldiers who are recovering from injuries, including Invictus Games champion Volodymyr Tovkis and marines Rostyslav Prystupa and Dmytro Tereshchenko, among others.

Participants can choose from multiple race distances, including 42 km, 21 km, 10 km, 5 km, and a 1.6 km option, with children’s races also scheduled.

Although the race’s founder, Dmytro Chernitskyi, and project manager, Ivan Tretyakov, have been mobilized into the Defense Forces, the organizational team is committed to ensuring the event’s success.

• military
• Kyiv

On October 13, Kyiv will host a gathering of veterans enrolled in the Veteran’s Hut program, an initiative aimed at preparing veterans and their families to serve as professional psychologists for other service members. The event will feature a tango therapy session and include the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Kyiv Region Security Police and the Veteran’s Hut NGO, solidifying joint efforts in educational, cultural, and social projects.

The event will bring together veterans from the program’s inaugural cohort, currently pursuing master’s degrees in psychology, along with new participants set to begin their training at the end of October. Leading the tango therapy session will be Yurii Kadyrov, who specializes in using dance as a rehabilitation tool to support the physical and emotional recovery of combatants and their families.

For context: The Veteran’s Hut project launched in spring 2024, offering psychological rehabilitation and university preparation for veterans. Designed by Psy.D. Oleksandr Tkachenko, a veteran of the russia-Ukraine war, the program aims to train veterans to work effectively with their peers. The first cohort comprised 20 participants, most of whom are now enrolled in the psychology program at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

Yurii Kadyrov, a Kyiv native, previously lived and ran a business in Crimea before the 2014 russian occupation forced him to abandon his home and livelihood on the peninsula. Today, he uses his experience and training to aid other veterans in their recovery journey.

The event is organized by the Kyiv Region Security Police.

• military
• psychological support
• Kyiv

Serhii Kolesnichenko, a 40-year-old history teacher from Kropyvnytskyi, chose a path few would have expected. After graduating from the local Pedagogical University, he spent years teaching history at a secondary school. Up until russia’s full-scale invasion, he had no connection to military service. But when war broke out, Serhii felt compelled to act. He completed his last semester, set aside his textbooks, and enlisted in Ukraine’s Defense Forces just before the summer break. Following his training, Serhii joined the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Transcarpathian Brigade, where he took on the role of an infantry fighting vehicle driver. His assignment placed him at the forefront of ground operations during intense assaults.

However, family obligations soon interrupted his service. Serhii left the military to care for his disabled mother and returned to teaching. Yet after her passing, he made the difficult decision to rejoin his unit, driven by a sense of duty and solidarity with his fellow soldiers on the most active frontlines.

Today, Serhii Kolesnichenko is back in uniform and serving on the front lines once more. Despite the demands of his current role, he remains open to sharing his story and is available for interviews with journalists by prior arrangement.

• military

The Veteranka movement has launched a new chatbot, the Recruitment Guide Bot, designed to support women looking to enlist in the Ukrainian Defense Forces. This innovative tool offers step-by-step guidance for those seeking to join specific military units, addressing critical topics such as the distinctions between mobilization and contract service, and detailing the training process at military training centers.

A standout feature of the chatbot is that it was developed by women for women, providing tailored information on preparation for military service. Users can access resources covering the fundamentals of tactical medicine, a directory of platforms for locating military vacancies, and answers to legal inquiries. Additionally, the chatbot offers insights into women’s health considerations in combat zones, along with checklists for essential hygiene products and medications.

Veteranka highlights that the chatbot includes recommendations from seasoned female defenders, covering crucial aspects of initial and ongoing military service. It also offers guidance on how to respond to incidents of sexual harassment or violence.

Notably, interest in military service among women in Ukraine has surged, with women now representing approximately 20% of all applications to recruitment centers.

• military
• women
• Kyiv

Oleksandr Pivniev enlisted in the military at the age of 19. Before joining the Ukrainian Armed Forces, he studied at the Ivan Kozhedub Kharkiv University of Air Force but left before graduation to serve with the 203rd Training Aviation Brigade in Chuhuiv, Kharkiv region. Later, he transferred to the 53rd Separate Mechanized Brigade. In 2016, while stationed near Toretsk, he came under a mortar attack and sustained life-threatening injuries. Oleksandr survived four cardiac arrests, a shattered left leg, and the amputation of his right leg.

What followed was a two-year journey of rehabilitation and prosthetic fitting in the United States. 

Yet, in 2018, Oleksandr made the remarkable decision to return to active duty. At the onset of russia’s full-scale invasion, he took command of the anti-aircraft artillery unit of the 126th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade in Odesa. He attributes his comeback to his desire to reunite with his comrades. Sports, especially adaptive training under the “Games of Heroes” program and competing in various athletic events, played a crucial role in his recovery. Today, Oleksandr remains active in both sports and military service. 
Currently, Oleksandr Pivniev is abroad and available for online interviews. In November 2024, he plans to be in Lviv or Kharkiv and will be open to in-person meetings with journalists.

• military
• Kharkiv
• Lviv

Four years ago, Valerii received a German shepherd as a gift and decided to teach it basic commands. He was good at working with the dog, so when he was offered a place in the Ukrainian Armed Forces Dog Training Service, Valerii did not hesitate. Just before he started to collect the necessary documents, he bought another dog, Odin. He signed the contract with Odin at his side. Valerii and his four-legged companion underwent five months of training, during which the dog was trained to detect explosives. Soon after, Odin received a special certificate allowing him to serve in the military.

In addition to his service, Valerii manages his social media, posting videos of dog training and promoting Ukrainian cynology. His videos on TikTok have received millions of views. Valerii is also involved in volunteer work, raising funds for food and medicine for other animals.

Valerii lives in Western Ukraine. He is ready to talk with journalists, both online and offline.

• animals
• military