Themes by tag: women

The NGO Vodnyk has launched a new yachting training program in Kyiv, specifically designed for women veterans, the wives of veterans, and internally displaced persons. Participants in the program are learning to sail using RS Tera sports boats, which are designed for single-person use.

Twelve women have enrolled in the program, with training sessions held four times a week. The goal is to prepare these women to compete in various yachting competitions.

Journalists can arrange in advance to cover these training sessions.
In addition to this initiative, Kyiv has also introduced an adaptive yachting project aimed at providing opportunities for people with disabilities, including veterans.

• women
• Kyiv

Oksana Vedmid, 32, was a world champion powerlifter before russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Alongside her husband and coach, Pavlo Vedmid, she achieved global recognition by securing the title in the equipped bench press category. But their lives took a sharp turn at the onset of war. When news of the invasion broke, the couple was in western Ukraine’s Carpathian Mountains. Without hesitation, they returned to their hometown of Dnipro. 

Pavlo quickly enlisted in the local territorial defense forces, playing a critical role in the liberation of Izium in the Kharkiv region. Tragically, his life was cut short when an enemy shell struck his vehicle during a mission. Devastated but determined, Oksana decided to join the Ukrainian Defense Forces, driven to carry on the fight Pavlo had started. Today, Oksana serves on the front lines, using drones to target enemy positions.

Oksana Vedmid is currently serving on the frontline and is available for interviews with journalists, both online and in person, by prior arrangement.

• dead
• military
• women

Khrystyna Drahomaretska, 27 years old, is an architect by profession. With the beginning of the full-scale war, the woman started rescuing homeless animals and evacuating them from the war zone. She continues working despite the enemy shelling. For example, recently in Toretsk, Donetsk region, three russian guided aerial bombs struck not far away from Khrystyna. And in Vovchansk, Kharkiv oblast, while rescuing animals, Khrystyna sustained a shrapnel wound from enemy mortar fire.

As a rescuer, she uses a catch pole and a blow-pipe. Khrystyna works with her dog (German shepherd) Miledi that helps to find animals, which Khrystyna has hit with a tranquilizer dart, as they still have a few minutes to run away.

Khrystyna also founded a shelter for four-legged friends in Odesa, where she evacuates some animals from the war zone. There they are treated, taught to behave in the society and put up for adoption (about 70% of the animals go abroad). Currently, there are 160 dogs in Khrystyna’s shelter.

Journalists can learn more about Khrystyna’s work and communicate with her online or in person by prior arrangement.

For reference: Khrystyna rescues animals from the war zone together with the 12 Vartovykh (Guards) Charitable Foundation. She also joined the UAnimals rescue mission.

• animals
• casualties
• women
• Odesa

In a move widely condemned as illegal, russia has sentenced Ukrainian activist Irina Horobtsova to 10 years and 6 months in prison on charges of “espionage.” 

Horobtsova, a resident of Kherson and an employee of a Ukrainian IT company, gained attention in the spring of 2022 for her outspoken posts on social media about life under russian occupation. She shared images featuring Ukrainian symbols and referred to her apartment as the “home base of the resistance.” However, on May 13, 2022, russian forces abducted her from her home. She was subsequently held in a pre-trial detention center in occupied Crimea, where she was kept in isolation with no access to the outside world or visits from family.

Horobtsova’s parents have expressed their willingness to speak with the media about her situation.

• occupation
• russian crimes
• women
• Kherson

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

Iryna Shmatko lost her husband and mother in the war. Iryna met her beloved Oleksandr back in 2014 at the Azov training center, where her future husband was serving at the time. The relationship developed, in 2017 Oleksandr was discharged and the couple became parents of three children.

With the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion, Oleksandr Shmatko immediately returned to the ranks of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, and Iryna took up volunteering.

On April 15, 2022, Iryna lost her mother, Nataliia Strebkova (call sign Zoriana), who defended Mariupol and died during the bombing of the Azovstal plant.

Later, Iryna found out that she was pregnant with her fourth child. However, Oleksandr didn’t live long enough to meet his youngest daughter. He died in November 2023 in Donetsk region. The girl, who was born three weeks after her father’s death, was named Zoriana after her heroic grandmother.

Journalists can talk to Iryna in person in Poltava or online. Iryna is raising two sons (ages 9 and 5) and two daughters (age 7 and an 8-month infant).

For reference: Nataliia Strebkova (call sign Zoriana) was posthumously awarded the Order for Courage 3rd degree. The “Memorial” platform created a documentary film about Nataliia.

Currently, the family is being cared for by the Children of Heroes charitable foundation. The organization helps children who lost one or both parents as a result of russia’s full-scale invasion. The foundation provides financial assistance, psychological and legal support, promotes education and development of children until they reach adulthood.

• children
• dead
• military
• women
• Poltava

How should journalists and communicators approach conversations with military personnel and former prisoners of war without causing harm? What ethical considerations should guide the media’s portrayal of the military? These pressing questions will be at the forefront of a discussion led by Valeriia “Nava” Subotina, a reserve officer, former prisoner of war, and defender of Mariupol. Subotina, who now serves as the director of the YOUkraine hub for ex-prisoners of war, will share her expertise in an upcoming meeting with members of the media.

The session aims to emphasize the importance of ethical communication, highlighting how responsible interactions can aid military personnel and former POWs in transitioning back to civilian life and overcoming psychological trauma.

Pre-registration is required, with a minimum donation of 300 UAH for participation. The event will be held both in person and online via Google Meet. All funds raised will be directed to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

• military
• prisoners
• women
• Kyiv

A School of Construction Equipment Operators for Women has been started at Nemishaieve Professional College in Kyiv Oblast. The program is aimed at training women to become construction equipment drivers, which can help Ukrainian companies cope with the staffing crisis during the war. The idea for the school came from Yuliia Skichko, head of a construction equipment rental company. 

Among the first group of women to start training is a mother of three whose youngest daughter is just one year old. The oldest student in the group is 55 years old.

Tuition, accommodation, and meals are fully covered by the project. 

Practical training on modern construction equipment will begin in two weeks. By prior arrangement, journalists can cover the classes and talk to the participants and organizers of the initiative.

For reference: The program is being implemented by Alef Stroi (LLC “Production and Construction Company “ELITPROEKT-BUD”) and the Nemishaieve Professional College of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences (NUBiP) of Ukraine with the support of the USAID Competitive Economy Program and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine.

• women
• Kyiv

Diana Chernikova, a trained educator who now works as a fitness trainer, shared her life with her husband, Kostiantyn, a master of sports in artistic gymnastics. Kostiantyn dedicated his life to training young athletes and working as a fitness coach. His talents extended beyond the gym, as he also worked as a stuntman, appearing in films and commercials. Together, they raised their 8-year-old daughter, Kira.

The morning of February 24, 2022, shattered their world as explosions erupted across Kyiv. For a time, the family sheltered in the city, spending countless hours in the shared corridor of their building. Eventually, they decided to evacuate to Kalush, Diana’s hometown in western Ukraine.

Both Diana and Kostiantyn were determined to defend their country, eager to serve in the military. However, with a young daughter to care for, they made the difficult decision that only one of them could enlist. Kostiantyn volunteered in March 2022 and soon took on the role of an FPV drone pilot.

By August 2023, Kostiantyn was engaged in combat in the Donetsk region. Tragically, on May 29, 2024, his service came to a heartbreaking end when he was killed in action.

Diana remains deeply proud of her husband, who selflessly volunteered to protect Ukraine.

For those interested in hearing more about Kostiantyn’s story, Diana is available to speak with journalists in Kyiv.

For reference: The Children of Heroes charity fund is currently supporting Diana and her daughter. The organization aids children who have lost one or both parents due to russia’s full-scale invasion, offering financial assistance, psychological and legal support, and ensuring the educational and developmental needs of these children are met until they reach adulthood.

• dead
• military
• women
• Kyiv

For 15 years, Tetiana Hrek has dedicated her life to teaching karate to both children and adults. Together with her husband, she established a private gym in Bucha, Kyiv region. However, the full-scale invasion changed everything. When the war erupted, Tetiana and her family found themselves trapped under occupation. During this harrowing time, their gym was looted by invaders, and their home came under fire.

After two weeks of living under occupation, Tetiana and her family managed to escape to territory controlled by Ukraine. It wasn’t until a year later that she felt ready to return to Bucha. In her absence, fellow coaches who had remained in the city took it upon themselves to restore the gym and resume classes for children. When Tetiana finally returned, she was welcomed back by eager students waiting to train with her again. Additionally, a public martial arts school in Bucha reopened, and she was invited to join as an instructor.

• casualties
• children
• occupation
• russian crimes
• women
• Kyiv