News
Kateryna Pryimak, co-founder and leader of the VETERANKA, a volunteer, has been awarded the prestigious Franco-German Human Rights Prize. This award is presented annually to activists from all over the world who dedicate their activities to the protection of human rights.
The French Ambassador to Ukraine Gaël Veyssière and the Deputy Ambassador to Ukraine Tim Pragne presented the award. Kateryna Pryimak was awarded for her tireless work defending the rights of women servicewomen and veterans in Ukraine.
“I am grateful for this award because it shows that our efforts are noticeable[...]
15.12.2024
When experiencing grief, we rely on both internal and external supports.
Internal support comes from our own knowledge, skills, and personal experiences.
External support includes other people, objects, and events.
Taking care of yourself means strengthening your physical well-being and expanding your sources of emotional support. Learning from the experiences of others can be invaluable. Connecting with people who have gone through similar experiences can provide comfort, understanding, and different methods of self-care. Books and films that explore these themes can also be[...]
25.11.2024
No matter the nature of the loss, it changes everything—your well-being, emotional state, self-perception, and relationships with loved ones.
Sometimes, grief brings families closer together; other times, it does not.
Families with established mechanisms of mutual support are often better able to adapt to new realities, develop new patterns of interaction, and cultivate acceptance.
Loss and grief can also shift family roles. For example, adult children may take on more responsibility for their parents or grandparents, stepping into the role of senior family members. Siblings of[...]
15.10.2024
The Marie Claire Business team spent a day with Hanna Suvorkina, a clothing designer at the ByVTRNK sewing workshop. We invite you to take a behind-the-scenes look at the workshop.
Officially, women’s military uniforms only became available in Ukraine in 2023.Before that, a national standard existed for ceremonial military attire, which required female service members to wear heels, skirts, and a formal jacket.
As Lyudmyla Darahan, Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, stated at the International Seminar on Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Public Service:
“Over the[...]
07.10.2024
A traumatic experience affects all aspects of life and the body's systems. A person can experience trauma by being a participant or a witness to a stressful or threatening situation.
Psychological trauma manifests in many ways, including emotional responses. These may include:
Irritability
Anger
Aggression
Anxiety
Fear
Apathy, depression, etc.
Emotions serve as indicators that signal our internal state. Learning to recognize and acknowledge them is essential rather than ignoring these signals. Suppressed emotions—those we do not express—can impact the body and[...]
05.10.2024
Psychological trauma is an emotional response to a stressful event. Any situation perceived as stressful, frightening, or threatening can be traumatic.
Some common causes of trauma include:
Loss (of a loved one, home, property, job, or relationship)
Violence (physical, sexual, financial, or psychological)
Car accidents
Natural disasters
Terrorist attacks
Bullying and other distressing events
A traumatic event is a situation in which the psyche is exposed to intense stress. The stronger the stress, the deeper the trauma.
Signs of trauma
Trauma can manifest in[...]
03.10.2024
Vladyslava Vasyliuk is the wife of the fallen Su-27 pilot, Hero of Ukraine, Denys Vasyliuk—known as "FLASH," a legend of the Ukrainian skies.
After losing the love of her life, Vladyslava began documenting her journey through grief in a video diary, which she shares on social media to support and inspire others who are also navigating loss.
In this deeply personal account, she shares her path through darkness and the invisible threads that have guided her forward.
The day I received that phone call—the one that told me my beloved Denys was gone—my life was split into[...]
03.10.2024
On Defenders of Ukraine Day, the VETERANKA movement is launching a chatbot for all civilian women who want to join the Defense Forces of Ukraine and stand in defense of their homeland.
We have worked on @recruitment_guide_bot to create a comprehensive guide that will help women navigate key questions:
How to join a specific unit?
What is the difference between service through mobilization and contract-based service?
How does training take place at military training centers?
In the chatbot, you will find information about preparation for service, learning the basics of[...]
01.10.2024
We continue the conversation about the deeply personal and difficult experience of losing a loved one. Unfortunately, every day in our country, someone loses a close, cherished, and dear person to war. We believe that it is important not only to speak about the sorrow of loss but also about how to navigate this journey. We asked those who have endured the hardest stages to share their experiences—where to find strength and resources for oneself when surrounded by darkness.
Dariia Ulman, a marketer, activist, and the wife of fallen serviceman Kyrylo Ulman, shares her personal journey[...]
21.09.2024
At the “Evening of Saved Lives” event, 553 121 UAH was raised for the Ukrainian paramedics.
First and foremost, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who continues to donate, support charity events, and participate in auctions!
We worked hard to make this evening truly special—Serhiy Zhadan prepared exclusive material and signed every book brought by attendees. Together with By VTRNK, we created exclusive merchandise and curated unique auction lots, while also introducing guests to the Veteranka movement.
The Podil Theater organized and hosted the event, once again[...]
17.09.2024