Themes by tag: reconstruction

In Irpin, a city in the Kyiv region, the Irpinski Lypky residential complex, which was heavily damaged during the early days of russia’s full-scale invasion, is now undergoing extensive restoration. The housing estate gained global recognition following the liberation of the Kyiv region, attracting numerous international delegations. The destroyed complex also featured in the music video for “Stefania” by the Kalush Orchestra, the band that won the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest.

Initial assessments deemed the building unsuitable for restoration, recommending its complete demolition. However, the residents, desperate to save their homes, pushed for a second evaluation. While the building’s fate remained uncertain, the community came together every Saturday to clean the area and maintain a sense of order. Eventually, a more in-depth examination brought the news they had been hoping for: the structure could indeed be restored. By the end of 2023, reconstruction work at Irpinski Lypky began, and repairs are now actively underway.

Journalists have been granted exclusive access to witness the progress inside the complex and, where possible, speak with local residents.

For context: On March 2, 2022, russian forces launched airstrikes on Irpin, with two missiles striking a multi-story building on Hostomelke Shose Street. Before the invasion, the complex was home to 206 families. 

The reconstruction of Irpinski Lypky is being overseen by the Kyiv Regional Military Administration in collaboration with the Fund for the Elimination of the Consequences of Armed Aggression.

• occupation
• reconstruction
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Eoin, an Irishman, is in charge of rebuilding 10 houses in Chernihiv oblast that were destroyed as a result of the full-scale invasion. He came to Ukraine last year as a volunteer, but later became the chief foreman in the international construction camp INBUT organized by Repair Together NGO.

Eoin is a carpenter by trade. In the summer of 2023, he came to Ukraine with his work tools to join the restoration efforts for 4 weeks on a volunteer basis. However, he stayed for 5 months, because Eoin was put in charge of coordinating the work at 10 sites developed by INBUT volunteers. This year, the Irishman returned to finish the houses.

Many other foreign volunteers work together with Eoin in the Chernihiv oblast. In particular, Filip from the Czech Republic.

For reference: INBUT (international construction camp) is a project of Repair Together NGO, which launched last year. With the help of about a thousand people from 27 countries, INBUT built frames of 10 houses in place of those destroyed during the hostilities. This year, 22 foreign volunteers from 11 countries worked with INBUT: U.S., France, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Austria, Germany, Ireland, England, Chile.

• casualties
• reconstruction
• volunteers
• Chernihiv

Back in Czechia Filip has two jobs: he is a Turkish language and literature lecturer at a university in Prague, and a chemistry and geography teacher at a school. Recently, he came to Chernihiv oblast by bicycle for the second time and joined the volunteers of the International Construction Camp (INBUT), who are rebuilding Ukrainian homes destroyed by the russians.

Last year, Filip traveled 2,000 km by bicycle from the Czech Republic to Ukraine to join INBUT. He was supposed to volunteer for a month but stayed for three.

For reference: INBUT is a project of Repair Together NGO, which launched last year. With the help of about a thousand people from 27 countries, INBUT built frames of 10 houses in place of those destroyed during the hostilities. This year, 22 foreign volunteers from 11 countries worked with INBUT: U.S., France, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Austria, Germany, Ireland, England, Chile.

• casualties
• reconstruction
• volunteers
• Chernihiv

The Velyke Divnytstvo (Great Girl’s Gathering) project, led by Repair Together, is revolutionizing gender roles by empowering young women to take on construction tasks traditionally dominated by men. This initiative aims to open doors for women in the construction industry, providing them with equal opportunities to excel in the field.

In the village of Lukashivka, Chernihiv Oblast, Ms. Nina’s home was destroyed by the russian invasion. The project began in November 2022 with the installation of the first autoclaved aerated concrete block for a new home for Nina’s family. Since then, an all-female team has constructed the walls, installed the reinforcement belt, and completed the roof. The team is set to finish the house for Ms. Nina by the end of the year.

For reference: Over the past two years, more than 200 volunteers, including notable Ukrainian personalities, have joined the Velyke Divnytstvo project. 

Repair Together, a non-governmental organization, focuses on building a dynamic volunteer community in Ukraine, combining efforts to tackle pressing social issues with cultural and educational initiatives.

• reconstruction
• volunteers
• women
• Chernihiv

The apiary near Mykolaiv (a city in the south of Ukraine) was founded by Yakiv Fedosov’s father. After his father’s death, Yakiv continued the family business. Before the full-scale invasion, Yakiv had bought new equipment and increased the number of bee colonies. Over time, he began making honey infused with medicinal herbs.

However, with the beginning of the Big War, the village in which the farm was located became the epicenter of the russian offensive. Heavy shelling destroyed the house, some of the beehives burned down, and the occupiers stole the already produced honey.

However, this did not stop Yakiv. He distributed the remaining honey to the military. Then he bought more honey from beekeepers he knew, and based on it, he created a honey paste for the soldiers, which quickly replenishes their energy.

Now Yakiv is waiting for compensation for the destroyed property from the state. He plans to rebuild the house and continue to work on the apiary.

Yakiv Fedosov is in Mykolaiv oblast. He is ready to communicate with journalists, both online and offline.

• casualties
• reconstruction
• russian crimes
• Mykolaiv

On July 18, the family of the fallen hero (the Berezov family) in Kyiv region will receive Ukraine’s first residential house, built using 3D construction technology. A house with an area of ​​130 m² was printed in 58 hours using a 3D printer of 3D UTU company.

On March 6, 2022, the Berezov family lost their home due to the russian aggression during the occupation of Irpin. And on November 6, 2022, the father of the family, Yaroslav, died in the battles for Bakhmut. This house will become a symbol of a new beginning for them as well as commemorate the fallen hero.

The special feature of this house is a dual-purpose room with an increased level of security, in which the Berezov family will be able to wait out air alarms.

Journalists will have the opportunity to talk with the Berezov family, Inna Furman, Head of the Hold the Nation Charity Foundation, and representatives of the authorities and partners.

The event requires accreditation. Accreditation will be open until 6:00 PM on July 17, 2024.

For reference: The house for the Berezovs was built as part of the “United for Help” project. This is an initiative of the Hold the Nation Charity Foundation, implemented with the support of the Irpin City Council and over 70 partners.

• casualties
• dead
• occupation
• reconstruction
• Kyiv

Dozens of volunteers, including members of the Los Solomas community, are currently working in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district, where a kindergarten and nearby houses were damaged by the missile hit on July 8.

Volunteers are engaged in tasks such as clearing construction debris and covering shattered windows with plastic.

Journalists are welcome to report on the volunteers’ efforts.

For reference: On July 8, russian forces launched a missile attack on Kyiv, damaging 129 buildings in the city. The attack resulted in 34 fatalities. As of the morning of July 10, 38 people injured in the attack remain hospitalized, with 6 in serious condition.

• reconstruction
• russian crimes
• volunteers
• Kyiv

Jennifer is a German citizen. She first learned about Dobrobat in the summer of 2023. Working on the delivery of humanitarian aid to Ukraine was not enough for her, so she also started restoring Ukrainian houses ruined by the occupiers.

During her first volunteer trip in June 2023, Jennifer worked in Kharkiv. After that she came to Kyiv and fell in love with this city. Since then, she has been constantly involved in Dobrobat’s work in Kyiv region. Mostly, this involves cleaning up construction rubble and debris, but Jennifer has a favorite job – repairing roofs.

The woman combines volunteering with work as a German language teacher in Kyiv. She supports Ukrainians in learning German in every possible way.

Tomorrow (July 2), Jennifer, together with other Dobrobat volunteers, will work in Horenka, Kyiv region. The roof of a house belonging to a large family was completely burnt out as a result of the russian attacks in the spring of 2022.

For reference: Dobrobat is a volunteer building division that helps those affected to urgently rebuild their houses and social infrastructure facilities in the de-occupied territories.

• casualties
• occupation
• reconstruction
• volunteers
• Kyiv

On July 11, Ukraine’s first residential house built using 3D construction technology will be handed over to the family of the fallen hero (the Berezov family) in Kyiv region. The house with an area of ​​130 m² was printed within 58 hours using a 3D printer of 3D UTU company.

On March 6, 2022, during the occupation of Irpin, the Berezov family lost their home due to the russian aggression. And on November 6, 2022, the father of the family, Yaroslav, died in the battles for Bakhmut. This house will be a symbol of a new beginning for them as well as serve as the memory of their hero.

The special feature of this house is a dual-purpose room with an increased level of security, in which the Berezov family will be able to wait out air alarms.

Participants:

• Oleksandr Markushyn, Mayor of Irpin
• Inna Furman, Head of the Hold the Nation Charity Fund, Head of the United to Help project, CEO of 3D UTU
• Nataliia Berezova, wife of a fallen soldier
• Alina and Anna Berezova, daughters of the fallen soldier

The event requires accreditation.

For reference: The house for the Berezovs was built as part of the United to Help project. This is an initiative of the Hold the Nation Charity Fund, implemented with the support of the Irpin City Council and over 70 partners.

• casualties
• dead
• occupation
• reconstruction
• Kyiv

Veteran of the Joint Forces Operation, Andrii Nesmachnyi, has resumed a production facility destroyed by russian forces. A few years ago, Nesmachnyi came up with the idea to set up a workshop where servicemen on leave or recovering from injuries could work. The BatArt workshop, located in the Kyiv region, successfully produced craft glassware and donated proceeds to support wounded combatants in eastern Ukraine. This was until the workshop was destroyed following the full-scale invasion by russia. Afterward, Andrii took up arms again to defend Ukraine.

Recently, Nesmachnyi has renewed production. During breaks in military personnel rotations, he and his fellow soldiers craft glasses, shot glasses, knives, and various souvenirs. Among other materials, they use bullet casings for manufacturing. Starting in July, they plan to expand their production to include ceramics. The money earned in the workshop is used to provide units with drones, night vision devices, and vehicle repairs.

• military
• reconstruction
• Kyiv