Themes by tag: russian crimes

russia has illicitly abducted more than 20,000 Ukrainian children since the start of its full-blown war, with another 1.5 million at risk of deportation from temporarily occupied territories. Many of these children have had their personal data altered, making it nearly impossible for their families or homeland to locate and reclaim them.  

Save Ukraine, a non-governmental organization, has been at the forefront of efforts to bring Ukrainian children home. Through carefully coordinated and regular rescue operations, the organization has successfully returned 538 children to date.  

Journalists are invited to reach out to Save Ukraine for comments and further insights into their ongoing efforts.  

• children
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

In the nearly 1,000 days since russia launched its all-out invasion, 1,941 medical facilities across Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed, according to official reports. This includes 1,714 facilities that sustained damage and 227 that were completely demolished. Hospitals in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia regions have borne the brunt of the destruction.  

Obtaining a complete assessment of damage in territories still under russian occupation remains impossible. However, the toll on healthcare extends beyond facilities. Since the start of the war, russia has damaged 235 ambulances, destroyed 263, and seized 125.  

Despite the challenges, the Ukrainian government has made the restoration of medical infrastructure a priority. The Ministry of Healthcare, in collaboration with its partners, has overseen the repair and reconstruction of 904 facilities. These include hospitals and clinics in de-occupied areas, as well as those that sustained minor damage, such as broken windows or damaged roofs.  

The largest recovery efforts have taken place in Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions, ensuring that access to quality healthcare remains available for Ukrainians even amidst the ongoing invasion.  

• doctors
• reconstruction
• russian crimes

The highlight of the day will be the unveiling of the ‘Wall of Resilience and Invincibility’ at National Children’s Specialized Hospital “Okhmatdyt”, Ukraine’s leading paediatric clinic. This artistic installation symbolizes the unyielding spirit and unity of the Ukrainian people and pays tribute to the medical professionals who continue to save lives under the most challenging wartime conditions.  

The wall, located at a site damaged by russian attacks, tells the stories of those who have worked tirelessly to rebuild the country since the first days of the war. Created by volunteers and Ukrainian artists, it embodies hope, strength, and a shared belief in ultimate victory.  

Accreditation is required for journalists covering the event.

• culture
• russian crimes
• volunteers
• Kyiv

On November 19, the Kyiv War Museum will host Light a Fire, a solemn event to mark the 1,000th day of the war. A thousand candles will be lit at the base of the iconic Motherland monument, followed by a unified prayer for Ukraine.  

The event aims to honor those who have sacrificed their lives for the country and to extend gratitude to those still defending it. 

Journalists planning to attend are required to secure accreditation.

• culture
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On November 15, Kyiv will host the human rights action “Empty Chairs” in support of journalists, writers, cultural figures and human rights activists who have gone missing, have been imprisoned or are in captivity because of russia’s war against Ukraine. The event will feature a symbolic installation of empty chairs.

Lawyers, family members and friends of detained media workers will speak at the event. Among them are Oksana Mykhalevych, a lawyer for Dmytro Khyliuk, a journalist abducted by the russian military, and Olena Tsygipa, the wife of imprisoned journalist Serhii Tsygipa from Nova Kakhovka.

Media professionals returned from russian captivity will share their experiences – in particular, civil journalist and human rights activist Liudmyla Huseinova and journalist and Crimean politician Nariman Dzhelial.

The event aims to unite the efforts of all those who support Ukraine and fight for the release of civilians and prisoners of war unlawfully detained as a result of russia’s war against Ukraine.

For reference: The event is organized by PEN Ukraine and the Center for Civil Liberties.

• casualties
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Tetiana Tipakova, originally from Donetsk and a longtime resident of Berdiansk in Zaporizhia Oblast (now under occupation), spent nearly 30 years working in a travel agency. When russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she became an active voice in support of her country, organizing peaceful protests in Berdiansk.

For her efforts, Tetiana was abducted by russian forces. Blindfolded and taken to a detention center, she endured two days of interrogation and brutal torture, including electric shocks to her fingers and a mock execution. She was forced to record a video apology before being released. However, the next day, she was captured again, held for four more days, and subjected to further abuse.

After this harrowing experience, Tetiana made the decision to flee Berdiansk. She crossed more than 20 checkpoints to reach Zaporizhia, where she founded a women’s initiative group. This eventually led to the creation of the NGO “Ridna Stezhka” (Home Footpath), dedicated to helping displaced people and supporting fellow Ukrainians.

In the early stages, Tetiana’s organization provided food, medicine, and support for evacuees, helping them settle into their new lives in Zaporizhia. Within the first year, the NGO successfully applied for 24 grants, winning 3.

By 2024, Tetiana had secured financial backing to launch an educational space offering computer literacy classes, movie screenings, and psychological support. Her organization is now expanding its mission to empower women through education, training, and ongoing support in Zaporizhia.

• casualties
• occupation
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• women
• Zaporizhzhia

Before the full-scale invasion, Ivan Rozuman worked as a miner in the Dnipropetrovsk oblast. At the beginning of the great war he joined the defense forces and took part in the battles in the Liman sector.

However, when he returned to his hometown of Marhanets, he was wounded. Ivan’s fiancée, Tetiana, also came to the town, eager to meet his parents. That very day the russians attacked the city. Ivan suffered injuries to his windpipe, eyes, arms and legs. Tetiana suffered an open skull wound and her legs were broken.

Ivan spent a month in a coma after his injuries. He lost his right arm and his eyesight completely. He urged Tetiana to leave him. Instead, he received a proposal of marriage from his beloved.

On February 2, 2024, the couple married. Since then, they have been adjusting to life in the new conditions.

Ivan Rozuman is in Kyiv. The army veteran is ready to talk to journalists, both online and offline, by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

After two years in enemy captivity, 33-year-old Vadym Nesterenko returned home bearing both physical and psychological scars. Having served with Ukraine’s Defense Forces since 2011, Vadym began his military career with the Izmail Border Guard and later joined the 35th Separate Marine Brigade. When russia launched its full-scale invasion, Vadym found himself on Snake Island, where he and his fellow soldiers were ultimately captured.

During his two years and three months in captivity, Vadym endured harrowing conditions. He faced relentless torture, including gassing, electric shocks, and beatings that left him with broken bones and missing teeth. By the time of his release on May 31, 2024, Vadym weighed just 59 kilograms.

Following his return, Vadym underwent rehabilitation at a center in the Lviv region, working tirelessly over three months to regain his health and rebuild some of his lost weight. Now focused on recovery and future goals, he hopes to return to service and fulfill his dream of visiting Paris.

Vadym is currently in Lviv and will travel to Odesa on November 4. He is available for interviews with journalists, either in person or online, with prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Lviv
• Odesa

Since the beginning of this school year, schoolchildren in the village of Bohdanivka, Kyiv oblast, have been able to study in a modular Temporary Educational Space (TES).  The space is accessible, with a generator for uninterrupted power supply, comfortable furniture, modern tablets and multimedia panels. The TES has six classrooms and now serves 250 schoolchildren who previously had to travel to a neighboring village.

Bohdanivka was occupied in 2022. russian soldiers set up camp in the local school and burned it down when they withdrew. They also blew up the kindergarten, where they had stored ammunition, leaving the village without any educational facilities.

By prior arrangement, journalists can cover the work of the modular temporary educational space in Bohdanivka.

Background: Temporary Education Spaces are being built as part of USAID Dream and Act program, implemented by IREX in partnership with the savED Foundation and the GoGlobal NGO. This project is being implemented in close cooperation with local communities who have lost their educational institutions due to russian aggression.

• children
• occupation
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On October 28-29, 2024, a press tour will take place in Mykolaiv Oblast, where volunteers of the international humanitarian project “Let’s Do It Ukraine SOS” will present renovated shelters in two educational institutions. These institutions were severely damaged by the floods caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam.

As part of the press tour, volunteers will also donate dehumidifiers, air purifiers and charging stations that work without electricity. These will be delivered to the facilities where repairs have already been completed. This equipment will help ensure healthy and comfortable conditions for learning and use of school shelters in the future.

Transportation for journalists from Kyiv and back will be arranged. Accreditation is required.

Background: The restoration work was carried out as part of the project to deal with the aftermath of the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam explosion “Flood relief in Mykolaiv and Kherson oblasts, assistance to households and social infrastructure facilities “Cleaning, disinfection, restoration and preparations for winter”,  with the assistance of AWO International and with the financial support of Aktion Deutschland Hilft. 

On June 6, 2023, the russian forces blew up the dam of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station in the Kherson region, causing almost 14 billion dollars of damage in Ukraine.  This is stated in the “Post Disaster Needs Assessment report of the Kakhovka Dam Disaster” prepared by the UN and the Ukrainian government.

• casualties
• ecology
• russian crimes
• volunteers
• Mykolaiv