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Alisa Shramko, known by her call sign "Dolya," serves as a medical instructor in the Fastiv Territorial Defense Force (Volunteer Formation of the Territorial Community in the Kyiv region), a sub-instructor in the Volunteer Medical Battalion "Hospitaliers," and is a member of the Veteranka Movement. In her civilian profession, she is a social pedagogue and works as a senior staff member in the department of intangible cultural heritage at a museum. Additionally, she is a mother of two children.I found myself in the army entirely by chance. In 2018, I was looking for pre-medical aid courses,[...]
17.03.2024
Emotional rollercoasters, driven by news from the frontlines, constant air raid alerts, and a sense of lack of control, have become the reality for most inhabitants of our country. Both military personnel and civilians experience a wide spectrum of feelings. During the execution of their duties, when they must constantly remain focused and prepared for any trials, supporting comrades and close circles becomes particularly crucial.
We wake up in the morning ready to conquer mountains, but by midday, we're overwhelmed.
Yes, these are emotional rollercoasters, and almost everyone has[...]
05.11.2023
Continuing to address the challenging and rarely discussed topic of captivity, our military psychologist, Kateryna "Melnik's Daughter," has gathered recommendations from former hostages and experts on how to conduct oneself in extremely difficult conditions and survive.
1) Restore and maintain self-control. Try to overcome panic reactions after being captured as quickly as possible. To manage this, engage your body's physical resources: for a short period, allow yourself to tremble as much as you can (if it's safe); tap yourself on the thighs or shins to feel your body; press your heels[...]
31.08.2023
According to the accounts of defenders themselves, the worst consequence of combat for a soldier is captivity. As of the end of June 2023, the National Information Bureau reports that 126 women are held in Russian captivity. Among them are 46 military personnel and 80 civilians. In certain situations, falling into the hands of the enemy is considered worse than death. The adversary seeks to obtain the maximum amount of operational information, often disregarding the concept of "human rights" and resorting to torture. Those who conduct interrogations use all available means to extract[...]
13.08.2023
Ukrainian society has not fully adapted to the fact that war has made significant changes in our lives. Often, war injuries are not visible externally: one doesn't necessarily need to be in a wheelchair, have an amputation, or possess disability documents, yet they may grapple with serious health impairments. They might leisurely stroll through the park beside you or enjoy a favorite drink in a nearby café, and you may not notice the silent battle they face with relentless pain every day. Sometimes, these "hidden" injuries like PTSD, post-concussion syndrome, blast injury (or shell shock),[...]
30.07.2023
Especially for you, "Miller's Daughter" conducted an anonymous survey among active-duty servicewomen and veterans to understand the circumstances in which it might be better not to enlist in the armed forces. We emphasize that there is no mandatory conscription for women in Ukraine, even if your civilian profession is subject to registration in territorial recruitment and social support centers. If you have still decided to pursue military service, consider whether it is voluntary, fully informed, and carefully considered, as you must be prepared to steadfastly bear all the burdens and[...]
09.07.2023
We invite women who suffered from the war to the course "Technology of sewing clothes".
Who can participate?
Women and girls affected by war (internally displaced women, women living near the front line, families of military personnel, female veterans, etc.).
Requirements for students of the course
To be able to attend all classes and do homework. There will also be an opportunity to join the course online (stream from the workshop).
What's in the program?
12 classes on the theory and practice of sewing technology, sewing the finished[...]
27.06.2023
Valentina had to leave her hometown twice due to the war – in 2014 and in 2022. She had to start her life from scratch twice and adapt to new circumstances. But thanks to a clear motivation, she managed to overcome the homesickness and continue to help her country from abroad to improve the lives of those affected by the war. She organized large shipments of baby strollers, 9 tons of humanitarian aid, and other forms of volunteering in the UK. Let's also talk about reevaluating values and the power of sisterhood in this interview with Valentina from England.
When did the war start for[...]
30.04.2023
She could have been creating costumes for Beyoncé, but she turned down opportunities to work with famous brands and designers to tailor uniforms for Ukrainian servicewomen. "What Beyoncé is up to doesn't interest me as much right now as what our women are doing on the front lines," says Hanna about her decision to step away from the fashion industry. What began as volunteering and a desire to contribute to a common cause led to a reevaluation and new challenges in her career. This is how Hanna Suvorkina became one of the organizers of the VETERANKA sewing workshop from scratch and now[...]
28.04.2023
Diana is a social photographer and photojournalist who has been working in the genres of artistic and advertising photography for 11 years. She became acquainted with the VETERANKA movement in 2021 and, together with servicewomen, has completed several projects, one of which is titled "A Warrior Woman First and Foremost - Woman." During the fifth month of the full-scale invasion, Diana was forced to leave Ukraine and relocate to the United Kingdom for her family's safety. However, she did not abandon volunteering and continues to raise significant donations abroad, using her photographs to[...]
25.04.2023