Themes by tag: Rivne

Mariia Peshko raised her son Ivan alone while living in a village in the Rivne region, where she taught math at the local school. As a child, Ivan frequently played in the schoolyard or in a nearby vacant lot.

In 2014, as an adult, Ivan  joined the army. He served for a year before being mobilized again in 2021. His contract was set to end in April 2022, but during one of his combat missions, Ivan Kliuiko and his unit were caught in enemy fire. Ivan was killed. Devastated by her loss, Mariia frequently gazed at the empty lot where Ivan once played, yearning to restore its sense of joy. In a poignant tribute, she decided to transform the space into a vibrant community hub. Using the state compensation she received after Ivan’s death, Mariia, with the support of Ivan’s wife Olha, constructed a playground and a soccer field in his honor. Today, the village of Orvianytsia boasts these new facilities, which have become focal points for community activities. Mariia and Olha continue to organize various events, ensuring that Ivan’s memory lives on through the laughter and camaraderie of the village.

• dead
• military
• women
• Rivne

Liubov Kovalchuk’s husband, Dmytro, made the ultimate sacrifice in battle. A dedicated member of the Joint Forces Operation, Dmytro, a fearless airborne assault troop of the 95th Brigade, valiantly served in the Donetsk sector until his untimely demise on July 12, 2022. Despite the chaos of warfare, Dmytro managed to impart his farewell words to Liubov before departing, leaving behind their infant daughter, Ameliia, just six months old at the time.

In the depths of grief, Liubov turned to her passion for writing to navigate the harrowing aftermath of loss. Through poignant poetry and heartfelt memoirs, she channeled her anguish onto paper, culminating in a poignant manuscript aptly titled “To You, My Hero!”—a poignant tribute to her beloved warrior.

For Liubov, this literary endeavor serves as a poignant homage to Dmytro’s memory, offering solace amid the void left by his absence. Moreover, she envisions her book as a beacon of hope for fellow war widows, providing them with a source of solidarity and resilience in the face of profound loss.

Journalists seeking to delve deeper into Liubov’s poignant journey are invited to connect with her in Rivne by prior arrangement.

For reference: The Kovalchuk family receives support from the Children of Heroes charity fund, which extends a helping hand to children orphaned by the ravages of russia’s full-scale invasion. The foundation offers vital financial assistance, psychological and legal counsel, and fosters the educational and personal development of these resilient youngsters until they reach adulthood.

• children
• dead
• military
• women
• Rivne

A women’s volunteer fire brigade emerged in Rivne Oblast at the onset of the full-blown invasion. Spearheaded by Alla Karpiuk, head of the Velyka Omeliana village community, the brigade sprang into action after Karpiuk’s firsthand experiences battling blazes, including three fire incidents involving homes and dry grass, when under coordination with firefighters, she helped save people’s property. 

Comprising 21 volunteers, the fire brigade boasts diverse backgrounds, with members ranging from deputies and accountants to saleswomen. Even a widow, grappling with the war’s toll, has joined the ranks.

Currently, the team is immersed in rigorous training provided by the State Emergency Service, honing skills in first aid, fire hose manipulation, fire extinguisher operation, and water management to earn their professional certifications. 

Journalists, upon arrangement, are welcome to engage with brigade members for firsthand insights, either in person or online.

• volunteers
• women
• Rivne

Andrii Badarak, a veteran who served on the front lines from 2015 through volatile areas like Zaitseve, Zolote, and Shyrokyne, endured a life-altering injury in 2016 when he was struck by a mine near Shyrokyne, sustaining severe injuries to his lungs and spine. 

Despite the setback, Badarak’s resilience shone through as he joined Ukraine’s national team for the Invictus Games in 2019, competing in swimming and archery at Invictus Game The Hague 2020 event. His dedication paid off as he clinched the top spot in the 50-meter backstroke, surpassing his previous performance. 

In 2021, Badarak achieved the prestigious title of Master of Sports in Swimming at the Ukrainian Swimming Championships for individuals with musculoskeletal disorders. Demonstrating his commitment to giving back, he transitioned to a coaching role in 2023, serving as an assistant swimming coach for the Invictus Games national team, and mentoring young boys facing similar challenges. 

Journalists seeking to interview Badarak can reach him either in person in the Rivne region or via online platforms.

In Ukraine, preparations are underway for the 2025 Invictus Games as the selection process for the Ukrainian national team kicks off. Starting April 8, eligible candidates can register to vie for a spot on the team set to represent Ukraine at the prestigious event in Vancouver-Whistler, Canada. Journalists interested in learning more about this initial phase of the selection process can obtain additional details. 

For reference: The Invictus Games stand as the premier international gathering for veterans and military personnel who have endured injuries, trauma, or illnesses during their service, underscoring the resilience and spirit of these individuals.

• casualties
• military
• Rivne

The Rivne Zoo offers tours for defenders undergoing rehabilitation. Guests can take a walk around the zoo, watch the animal’s feeding process, and get involved under the supervision of specialists. Tours give an inside look at African lions, Amur tigers, various primates (feline lemurs, Japanese macaques), and many other species of animals. There is also an opportunity to experience up-close encounters with some zoo inhabitants (horses, ponies, turtles, dwarf goats, and sheep). The tour can last 1.5-2 hours. Employees take into account the health status of the defenders and adjust the route and program for their comfortable rest.

• animals
• military
• Rivne

The Military Sewing Company is a voluntary association of people who volunteer to sew adaptive clothing for wounded soldiers: pants, shorts, underpants, T-shirts, etc. The adaptive clothing with Velcro, ties, or buttons is designed so injured defenders can put it on comfortably and painlessly. 

The Military Sewing Company has already produced over 30,000 pieces of such clothing. They are sent to more than 50 medical institutions across Ukraine, as well as to soldiers in need of such garments.

The Military Sewing Company was founded in Dnipro. People who have joined the initiative and sew clothes (in workshops, sewing shops, or home-based ones) are located in Kyiv, Dnipro, Rivne, Poltava, Zhytomyr, and Lviv. Some seamstresses are actively involved in sewing while residing in Norway, Germany, and Canada.

• casualties
• military
• volunteers
• Dnipro
• Kyiv
• Lviv
• Poltava
• Zhytomyr
• Rivne

The surgical team of the Luhansk regional oncology clinic has already performed 4 successful operations at a new location in Sarny, Rivne region. The staff of the medical facility had worked in Kreminna, Luhansk Region until April 18. They received a place to work from in Rivne region only in June. However, they have already started working and received new equipment. They treat both local residents and displaced persons from Kreminna, Severodonetsk and Lysychansk who want to continue to be treated by their doctors. The doctors managed to bring extremely expensive chemotherapy drugs with them during the evacuation. And now the oncology clinic continues to provide chemotherapeutic treatment in Sarny Central District Hospital.

• doctors
• occupation
• Rivne