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Ukraine Opens First Recovery Center for Survivors of Russian Torture and Captivity
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
The first center in Ukraine dedicated to supporting people who have survived captivity, torture, and psychological trauma was opened in Lviv on June 24.
The announcement was made by Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi on Facebook.
The facility, located on Lemkina Street, is part of the broader Unbroken ecosystem — a national initiative focused on rehabilitation and reintegration for those affected by war.
“Today, we opened the first center in Ukraine for people who have endured captivity and torture,” said Lviv Mayor. “This is more than a medical facility — it’s a place designed to feel like home.”
The center offers 17 residential rooms, as well as spaces for both outpatient and inpatient treatment using modern therapeutic approaches. A neighboring building is dedicated entirely to art therapy, featuring a pottery studio and an art workshop. But programming is flexible, Sadovyi emphasized: “If someone wants to weave, sing, or play music — we’ll adapt. The key is to provide a space where people feel free to begin healing.”
According to a Ukrinform correspondent, the center was made possible through a $1.6 million contribution from the Government of Flanders, a partnership initiated in 2023 by then-Flemish Minister and current Mayor of Mechelen, Bart Somers. His early support of the Unbroken initiative helped secure the funding needed to turn the project into reality.
Earlier, First Lady Olena Zelenska unveiled a therapeutic garden project for veterans, which is set to open in Kyiv this August, providing a dedicated space for recovery and rehabilitation for those affected by the war.
