Themes by tag: occupation

Olha Tymchenko, Head of Communications of Voices of Children Charitable Foundation and children’s writer took a 17-year-old orphan girl, Lera under her care. She was deported by the russians from occupied Nova Kakhovka, Kherson region.

Lera’s town was occupied on the first day of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A year and a half later, the russians announced an evacuation and took 500 children from Nova Kakhovka to occupied Crimea. The girl stayed there for 2 months, until her grandmother managed to take her from there.

Later, Lera returned to Ukraine-controlled territory herself. She went through occupied Melitopol, Berdiansk, Mariupol, and then through russia. She had to go through all that to arrive at the only open checkpoint on the Ukrainian-russian border in Sumy region.

After her return, the girl received consultations from a psychologist at the Voices of Children, where she met Olha Tymchenko.

Journalists have the opportunity to talk with Olha and Lera in Kyiv by prior agreement.

• children
• occupation
• women
• Kyiv

Haiane Avakian from Bakhmut found out about her destroyed home from photos of the city in the russian social media. Yuliia Mashuta watched a livestream of her house in Severodonetsk burning down after a rocket hit. Currently, these women are a part of the team of the “Sviy Dim” platform, which collects testimonies by people whose property and homes were destroyed by russia.

“Sviy Dim” is a platform for people who are building the foundation of a new life in Ukraine. Over 600 testimonies have already been published. Most of them are from the people who come from the regions of active hostilities (Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv and Kherson regions as well as others). The platform records russian war crimes related to the destruction of the civilian infrastructure of Ukraine: apartment buildings and detached houses, schools and kindergartens, cultural and sports facilities. Every story is human-centered. Those who lived or worked there share stories of their house, factory or cultural center.

The platform is also creating a database of objects that need restoration. A separate section – reconstruction – tells stories of those who are rebuilding the affected regions right now.

By prior agreement, journalists can talk with Haiane Avakian, Product Development Director of the Abo Agency, who founded the “Sviy Dim” platform, as well as with other people who have shared their testimonies on the platform.

• casualties
• occupation
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

From April 6-7, volunteers from the “Brave to Rebuild” project will embark on a mission to clean up debris in Moshchun village and Irpin city, both located in the Kyiv region. Their task? Dismantling the wreckage left behind by buildings ravaged in the wake of Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine. 

Media personnel are invited to cover these volunteer-led efforts. 

For reference: Fast forward to April 2, 2022, when Ukraine regained full control over the Kyiv region from Russian occupation, followed by the Chernihiv region liberation by April 6, 2022. By April 11, 2022, then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, proudly announced retaking the state border in the Sumy region.

• occupation
• reconstruction
• volunteers
• Kyiv

Anastasiia Buhera faced the brutal reality of the full-scale Russian invasion alongside her parents in Izium, Kharkiv region. Originally there on vacation from her studies at a Kharkiv university, Anastasiia witnessed firsthand the devastation wrought by the enemy upon the captured city. She meticulously tracked the relentless bombardment, tallying the number of bombs dropped by Russian forces hourly. Every trip for bread was a perilous gamble, as each outing carried the risk of becoming her last. After a harrowing five months under occupation, Anastasiia managed to escape back to government-controlled territory. Upon her return, she received devastating news: her beloved Kostiantyn, who had been defending Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol since February 2022, had been captured by the enemy. Their last conversation took place on April 24, 2022, when Kostiantyn sent her photos and videos, promising his imminent return. Now, Anastasiia waits anxiously for Kostiantyn’s safe return, tirelessly working to keep the plight of those still held captive by Russian forces in the public eye.

• occupation
• prisoners
• women

On March 28, the Every Brick Matters event will be held in Irpin, Kyiv region.

To mark the second anniversary of the city’s de-occupation and the start of community reconstruction, the Irpin City Council is gathering all its Ukrainian and international friends and partners for a solemn event to thank them for their contribution to the revival of the hero city.

The invited guests include: officials of the Office of the President, the Cabinet of Ministers, Kyiv Oblast Military Administration, Bucha District State Administration, ambassadors of Irpin’s partner countries, representatives of international and non-governmental organizations, charitable foundations, volunteers, residents of Irpin.

Rostyslav Smirnov, Co-Founder of Dobrobat and a resident of the destroyed residential complex Irpinski Lypky will address the guests with an opening speech (photos of this building went viral in the whole world, and the complex itself became one of the main locations visited by foreign delegations, and is actively undergoing renovation).

In addition, Irpin Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn will present a detailed report on the reconstruction of the Irpin community within 2 years.

The guests of the event will receive gratitude from the Irpin City Council and special awards – pieces of original bricks from the destroyed residential complex Irpinski Lypky.

The event requires accreditation.

For reference: on March 28, 2022, Irpin was liberated from the russian invaders by joint actions of the Territorial Defense, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Army, and volunteers. The russian army was stopped while it was trying to approach the capital.

• occupation
• reconstruction
• Kyiv

During the very first days of russian full-scale invasion, Vitalii, a resident of Hostomel, Kyiv region, together with acquaintances organized a remote system for transmitting the coordinates of the russians occupying Hostomel, even though he was outside the city. He collected information on the location and movement of enemy troops online and helped to direct artillery at them. During the occupation of the city, Vitalii recognized the location of the Chechen unit in a video posted on Ramzan Kadyrov’s social media. He sent this information to the Armed Forces of Ukraine so they could destroy it. As a result, Vitalii received a state award.

Journalists can communicate with Vitalii only online.

• occupation
• Kyiv

Yevhen Andrukhov, once a bakery owner in his hometown of Sievierodonetsk (now under occupation), relocated his family to Lviv when full-blown war erupted.

In May 2022, they settled in Bucha, Kyiv region, where the idea to revive their business took shape. Facing financial constraints, Andrukhov applied for a state grant, securing UAH 250,000 to kickstart the venture.

In October 2022, Yevhen Andrukhov and his family, including parents and brother, inaugurated House of Boulangerie, a confectionery and bakery establishment in Bucha. Presently, their offerings include croissants, puffs, cakes, pastries, craft bread, and baguettes. Additionally, Andrukhov has contributed to job creation by hiring two IDPs originating from Sievierodonetsk, his hometown. Reflecting on past challenges, Andrukhov reveals that his bakery in Sievierodonetsk fell victim to theft of expensive Italian equipment during the occupation, with the premises subsequently left in disrepair. 

For reference: The Russian military’s occupation of Sievierodonetsk in Luhansk Oblast on June 25, 2022 left the city, according to then-head of the Luhansk Oblast Military Administration, Serhiy Haidai, devastated, with an estimated 90% destruction rate.

• occupation
• Kyiv

On March 28-29, Irpin, Kyiv region, will host events to mark the second anniversary of the liberation of the city from the russian occupiers. In particular, there will be a memorial service for the fallen Heroes, the presentation of the Book of Memory of the Irpin City Territorial Community, and an awards ceremony to express gratitude to the benefactors for their help in rebuilding the hero city of Irpin “Every Brick Matters.”

In addition, there will be an unveiling ceremony for the “VOLIA” monument.

Journalists can learn more about the time and place of events. Accreditation is required.

For reference: on April 2, 2022, Kyiv region was completely liberated from the russian occupation. By April 6, 2022, the Defense Forces completely liberated Chernihiv region. On April 11, 2022, the then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi announced that full control over the state border in Sumy region had been restored.

• casualties
• occupation
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Enemy Grad MLRS rockets struck Vadym Zherdetskyi’s home in Moshchun, Kyiv region, not once, but twice during the onset of the full-scale invasion. Despite the peril, he bravely rescued his granddaughter from the engulfing flames. Vadym also extended aid to fellow villagers, supplying essential provisions, and fuel, and coordinating the evacuation of hundreds.

Today, Vadym has applied for assistance through a housing reconstruction program to address the devastation wrought upon his home. He has since transitioned to a role in public service. Access to an interview with Vadym requires clearance from the Kyiv Oblast Military Administration.

For reference: Fast forward to April 2, 2022, when Ukraine regained full control over the Kyiv region from Russian occupation, followed by the Chernihiv region liberation by April 6, 2022. By April 11, 2022, then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, proudly announced retaking the state border in the Sumy region.

• casualties
• occupation
• Kyiv

Valentyna Hantseva, a stalwart of the Soldatske village library in Sumy oblast for over three decades, faced the ultimate test of resilience as the invasion broke out. Months before the onslaught, the library had undergone a modern facelift and invested in state-of-the-art equipment. However, the structure crumbled under Russian airstrikes, leaving nothing but the skeletal remains of walls and roofs.

Undeterred by occupation and aerial threats, Valentyna, alongside her husband, embarked on a daring mission to salvage the literary treasures. Amidst the chaos, they meticulously stowed away over 1,000 undamaged books in grain sacks, shielding them from destruction.

The tide turned in April 2022, as Ukrainian forces liberated the village. Generosity from a German philanthropist breathed new life into the ravaged library premises. Last autumn, Valentyna proudly swung open the doors, welcoming readers back to the cherished institution.

For reference: on April 2, 2022, Kyiv region was completely liberated from russian occupation. By April 6, 2022, the Defense Forces fully liberated Chernihiv region. On April 11, 2022, the then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi announced that full control over the state border in Sumy region was restored.

• occupation
• reconstruction
• women
• Sumy