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Olena Zelenska Unveils Therapeutic Garden Project for War Veterans in Kyiv
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
A therapeutic garden for veterans will be launched this August in Kyiv, offering a unique recovery space for those impacted by war. This was reported by the Office of the President on May 20.
The initiative is led by Ukraine’s Ministry of Veterans Affairs in partnership with VDNG and developed under the National Strategy for a Barrier-Free Environment, championed by First Lady Olena Zelenska.
Designed by a multidisciplinary team in collaboration with veterans, service members, and their families, the garden will integrate horticultural, physical, and art therapy. It will also include quiet zones for individual reflection and a dedicated area for children. The space is intended to support the mental health and reintegration of veterans and military families, while remaining open and accessible to the wider public.
“This space is about dignity. The dignity of those returning from the front, and the dignity of our society to stand with them and build conditions that help,” said Zelenska. “Nature-based recovery is a proven, effective method. Every city and community should have a place like this. Today, we’re taking the first step.”
The concept and layout of the garden were unveiled during a public presentation at VDNG, where participants also planted the first symbolic greenery. The Kyiv project is intended as a pilot model for future therapeutic gardens across Ukraine, in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and public spaces.
According to the Office of the President, the garden is scheduled to open in August this year.
Earlier, a fourteen-year-old Yana Stepanenko, who lost both legs in a missile strike at the Kramatorsk railway station in April 2022, is using her journey of recovery to inspire and support others with similar experiences.
Undeterred by her injuries, Yana leads an active lifestyle and takes part in international marathons on prosthetic limbs and helps fund prosthetics for war veterans.
