Themes by tag: russian crimes

The “Instrument” by Zhanna Kadyrova is a unique installation at the Lviv railway station, featuring a pipe organ crafted from fragments of exploded russian missiles that fell in the Kyiv oblast.

“Instrument” is a series of musical performances by the project’s creator, artist Zhanna Kadyrova. She has invited Ukrainian and international musicians to perform weekly original programs on this unique organ.

Concert schedule:

November 30 / December 1, 2024 – Kateryna Hazho, Uzhhorod

December 6 / 7, 2024 – Bohdan Demianenko, Kyiv

December 13 / 14, 2024 – Insomnia Taxxi (Iryna Novikova), Kyiv-Gothenburg

December 20/21, 2024 – Sandor Schreiner, Olha Chundak, Uzhhorod

December 27-28, 2024 – Ivan Sarajishvili, Georgia-Norway

January 3 / 4, 2025 – Lviv Organ Hall

January 10-11, 2025 – Nils Henrik, Norway

January 17 / 18, 2025 – Oleksii Shmurak (Kyiv), Vitalii Dvorovyi (Lviv)

• culture
• russian crimes
• Lviv

Peaceful rallies will take place in 26 cities across Ukraine on November 23-24 to raise awareness about the plight of Azovstal defenders and other military personnel still held in enemy captivity. The events aim to remind the nation and the world of the ongoing struggle faced by prisoners of war and the missing.

On November 23, rallies will be held in Okhtyrka, Pivdennoukrainsk, Pavlohrad, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Irpin, Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Obukhiv, and Zaporizhia. The following day, November 24, similar actions are planned in Kyiv, Pivdennoukrainsk, Mykolaiv, Uman, Cherkasy, Poltava, Uzhhorod, Korosten, Obukhiv, Brovary, Krolevets, Ovruch, Korostyshiv, Kovel, Kryvyi Rih, Ternopil, Kremenchuk, Odesa, Ostroh, and Chernivtsi.

These events are spearheaded by the families of prisoners of war from the Mariupol garrison, with participation from Ukrainians who have been released from captivity. Their collective message seeks to emphasize the urgent need to secure the freedom of those still detained and highlight the resilience of Ukraine’s defenders.

• casualties
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Mariia Aleksieievych is the wife of Serhii Aleksieievych, a fighter of the Azov Brigade, which defended Mariupol from the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion until 16 May 2022. On that day, Serhii and his comrades left Azovstal on orders from their superiors and were captured by russians.

For more than two years, Mariia worked tirelessly to bring her beloved and other prisoners home. During this time, she traveled to Austria to attend an OSCE meeting on the Olenivka terrorist attack, met with Ukrainian officials, and attended weekly rallies dedicated to the defenders of Azovstal. On 18 October 2024, Serhii Aleksieievych returned to Ukraine as part of a prisoner exchange.

Mariia says she had a strong feeling that her beloved would finally come home that day. At 10.20 pm, she received a call from the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War with the long-awaited news. A few hours later, Serhii himself called her. Mariia says she still cannot believe it is not a dream and that her husband has really returned from captivity.

Serhii is currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation.

Serhii Aleksieievych is not yet ready for interviews. However, Mariia Aleksieievych is available to talk about her experiences, her work with Olenivka Community NGO and the emotional reunion with her husband after his captivity – online or in person in Kyiv or Vinnytsia by prior arrangement.

• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• women
• Kyiv
• Vinnytsia

On November 22-24, Ukrainian communities across Italy will hold rallies, film screenings and conferences dedicated to Holodomor Remembrance Day. The purpose of the events is to honor the memory of the victims of the Holodomor and to draw attention to the tragic 1,000 days of russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They also aim to call on the international community to take decisive action against both russian propaganda and russian aggression in general. The organizers stress the importance of remembering the crimes of the russian authorities in order to prevent their recurrence. The initiative has already received support from the Ukrainian World Congress, the Communities Army of Ukraine, and the International Centre of Ukrainian Victory.

Journalists are welcome to learn more about the events and speak with the organizers.

• russian crimes

On November 20, the Media Center Ukraine will hold the event “Childhood in Captivity: How to Protect the Rights of Children in the Occupied Territories”.

Topics for discussion:

– What is the current state of children’s rights in the occupied territories?

– What is it like to grow up under occupation?

– What are the challenges of monitoring violations of children’s rights in the occupied territories?

– What can Ukrainian and international institutions do to protect children’s rights in the occupied  territories?

– What are the prospects for bringing to justice those involved in crimes against children under occupation?

Participants:

– Mariia Sulialina, Director of the Almenda Center for Civic Education;

– Ilias Sheikhisliamov, son of a political prisoner, public figure, member of the NGO “Crimean Tatars of Odesa Region”;

– Noel Calhoun, Deputy Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine;

– Arman Akopian – Deputy Director of the Department and Head of the Unit for Children in Wartime, Department for Monitoring the Observance of Children’s Rights at the Secretariat of the Human Rights Commissioner of the Parliament of Ukraine;

– Yulia Usenko, Head of the Department for the Protection of Children’s Rights and Combating Domestic Violence of the Prosecutor General’s Office;

Background: November 20 marks the 35th anniversary of the signing of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The adoption of this document was an important step in ensuring fundamental rights for every child. In particular, Article 29 states that a child’s education should be aimed at fostering respect for the child’s parents, cultural identity, language and national values of the country in which the child lives and the country of origin.

Despite the fact that the russian federation has ratified the Convention, thus committing itself to comply with its provisions and ensure children’s rights in accordance with international standards, russia systematically violates children’s rights. Children living in the occupied territories are in a particularly vulnerable situation, as they are victims of targeted indoctrination, militarization and erasure of identity.

• children
• occupation
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On November 20, the Media Center Ukraine will hold a press conference and presentation of the “Moscow Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War”. The event will present an alternative version of the Geneva Conventions: the “Moscow Conventions,” which are structurally similar to the original, but describe completely different norms, such as killing, torture, electric shocks, beatings, lack of medical care, and inhumane detention conditions.

Participants:

– Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights;

– Oleh Hushchyn, representative of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War;

– Yevheniia Synelnyk, representative of the Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families;

– Tetiana Katrychenko, Executive Director of the Media Initiative for Human Rights;

– Yuliia “Taira” Paievska, liberated paramedic and volunteer (online).

Registration is required for this event.

• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

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