Life in Ukraine

Ukraine’s survival in its fight against the Russian invasion has depended on weapons and security guarantees. But in hospital wards, classrooms, and child protection systems, a coalition has been at work.

Ukrainian veterans are taking to the stage with the Theatre of Veterans and retelling their experiences, reclaiming control of narratives often written without them. Many have sustained life-altering injuries, from amputations to severe burns, and now translate those realities into physical performance. Directed by professionals but shaped by the veterans themselves, the productions are raw, immediate, and cathartic.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) disqualified Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych on February 12. The reason was his intention to compete in a special helmet honoring athletes who were killed as a result of Russia’s war.

Relentless Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy are crippling a service that should never fail—communication. Prolonged blackouts knock out power, leaving networks unstable or offline. In these moments, SpaceX’s Starlink steps in as a vital lifeline.

“Sometimes I burn out. Sometimes I collapse. But I always come back.” For many in Ukraine, volunteering isn’t a choice. It’s survival, even when the strength runs out. Now, the country is building spaces to help them recover.

Russia’s latest missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which targeted critical substations and nuclear facilities, have left thousands without power, water, and heating, further escalating the country’s ongoing energy crisis amid subzero temperatures, Ukrainian officials reported on January 20.