“RAZOM z toboyu” psychologist Olha Uhryn joins President’s initiative “Tyshchovesna” as an ethics expert

Published: September 15, 2026

How is the war changing Ukraine’s cultural scene — and what can a psychologist see in the process? Olha Uhryn, a psychologist with the “RAZOM z toboyu” project, created by Razom for Ukraine to support Ukrainians during the war, has joined the President’s “Tyshchovesna” project as an ethics expert. As part of the project, she helped cultural teams navigate sensitive topics, traumatic experiences, and people’s personal stories with care.

During the project’s third stage, held from August 12 to 16, 2026, Olha joined other experts in evaluating cultural projects, with particular attention to how they approached sensitive topics, traumatic experiences, vulnerable groups, and personal stories. Taking part in the process gave her a chance to see Ukraine’s contemporary cultural scene not only as an audience member, but from the inside — and to observe how the war is changing it.

“Tyshchovesna” — Government Initiative Supporting Ukrainian Culture

“Tyshchovesna” was created to support artists and creators who produce Ukrainian cultural content, tell Ukrainian stories, and strengthen the cultural resilience of society. Another goal of the project is to create a Ukrainian information environment for the growth and development of young people. The project was initiated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine and the Office of the President of Ukraine are responsible for its implementation. A total of 282 projects advanced to the second stage of the competition. Each section included an inclusivity expert and a psychologist — an ethics consultant.

How the War Is Changing Ukrainian Theater

The work on “Tyshchovesna” clearly demonstrates how Ukrainian theater is shifting its focus toward a people-centered and inclusive approach — both physically and mentally. Sign language interpretation, audio description, and physical accessibility of venues are no longer treated as “services upon request.” They are becoming part of the artistic concept and an expression of respect for the audience.

The themes are changing, too. Ukrainian theater is increasingly turning to subjects rooted in the country’s present and its history: the experience of war and how people process it, the reintegration of veterans, loss, and family stories. At the same time, the stage is finding new ways to interpret classical works and bringing the names of prominent Ukrainian writers and cultural figures back into the spotlight, including those associated with the Executed Renaissance.

“From a psychological perspective, this return to our roots and the modernization of our heritage are signs of the decolonization of our identity. We are learning to see ourselves and understand who we are not through stereotypes imposed by foreign narratives, but through our own depth, dignity, and authentic history,” says Olha Uhryn.

At the same time, there is less need to wrap complex and painful topics in a simplified, pseudo-traditional framework that was often referred to in the past as “sharovarshchyna.” There has also been a noticeable increase in the number of theater initiatives themselves. These include independent theater companies and the Veterans’ Theater, which seek to speak to audiences in their own authentic way about what hurts and matters to people right now.

Alongside them are puppet theaters, therapeutic fairy tales, ethnographic festivals, televised theater productions, adaptations of Ukrainian bestsellers, reimagined classics, and the revival of productions that had been absent from Ukrainian stages for years. In other words, Ukrainian theater is not narrowing into a “theater of war.” On the contrary, it is expanding its themes, formats, and audiences.

Trauma-Sensitive Approach: Not About Censorship, but About Safety

An important part of this transformation is a more attentive approach to how a performance may affect its audience. Olha advises being very cautious with complete darkness and sudden loud sounds. When in complete darkness, a person loses visual reference points, which can lead to a loss of control, increased anxiety, fear, or a panic attack. Sudden sounds, in turn, can become a direct physiological trigger for an exhausted nervous system. Psychological assessment therefore helps identify such risks and address sensitive topics without retraumatization.

According to Olha, the authors responded to these recommendations with understanding and acceptance. She added:

“The boundary between art and reality is very thin for Ukrainian audiences, while the nervous system is already exhausted. The psychologist’s task here is not to prohibit a difficult topic or smooth over the edges, but to suggest how to put ‘safeguards’ in place. It is important for us to avoid retraumatizing the audience.”

Ukraine can learn from the experience of countries that have gone through wars, large-scale historical transformations, or sought ways to preserve mental health through culture and national memory. However, this experience cannot simply be transferred to the Ukrainian context — we need to develop our own.

“RAZOM z toboyu” — Space for Psychological Support

Olha Uhryn is a psychologist with “RAZOM z toboyu,” a project of Razom for Ukraine that provides psychological support to Ukrainians whose lives have been changed by the war. The project combines psychological assistance for adults, support groups, educational webinars, and psychoeducational training for professionals.

“The experience our ‘RAZOM z toboyu’ team has gained supporting people through the war has shown us that this expertise can be valuable far beyond one-on-one psychological support. It matters in the places where cultural narratives are being shaped for millions of Ukrainians. Olha’s participation in ‘Tyshchovesna’ is one example of that. It reminds us that a nation’s mental health is shaped not only in a psychologist’s office, but also on stage, through the stories we bring to life and the way we tell our own stories,” said Iryna Gudyma, Head of the “RAZOM z toboyu” project at the U.S.-based nonprofit organization Razom for Ukraine.

The team works online throughout Ukraine and offline in Dnipro, Bucha, Khmelnytskyi, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk. The project’s mission is to develop a system of mental health support for Ukrainians during the war and after it ends.

For the first time since its launch in Ukraine: Infection Prevention presented in the U.S. with new data

Published: September 3, 2026

The Infection Prevention project, implemented by the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine with the support of Razom for Ukraine, was presented in the United States for the first time since its official launch in Ukraine — at the Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS) 2026.

MHSRS is one of the key conferences in the field of military medicine, bringing together thousands of military medical professionals, researchers, clinicians, and representatives of healthcare systems.

The project was presented by Hailie Uren, Project Lead and Principal Investigator from Public Health Center. Before an international audience, she presented new interim findings from the study for the first time.

To date, 293 people have participated in the study. The results are still preliminary and do not yet allow for definitive statistical conclusions, but the team is already beginning to identify resistant bacteria at the early stages of casualty evacuation.

“It was especially important for me to present this project at the Military Health System Research Symposium to an audience of approximately 5,000 people. Together with my team, Ukrainian military and civilian clinicians, and international partners, we are working on a new approach to caring for war-wounded patients. The goal of this work is not only to save lives and preserve the limbs of wounded people in Ukraine today, but also to create solutions that can change the approach to battlefield medicine in future wars.”

— Hailie Uren, Project Lead and Principal Investigator

The project examines how multidrug-resistant organisms move with war-wounded patients through the medical evacuation system — from the earliest stages of care through hospitalization. The research brings together civilian public health, surveillance, microbiology, infection prevention, and health-system improvement.

A war-wounded patient passes through several stages of medical evacuation — from the casualty collection point and prehospital care to field surgery and hospital care. The longer this journey, the more opportunities there are for multidrug-resistant bacteria to be acquired and transmitted.

That is why researchers are studying the entire evacuation pathway to determine where the risk emerges and where intervention can occur as early as possible. Based on the data collected, standardized approaches to early decontamination pre-hospital are being developed to help reduce the risk of severe infections, the need for broad-spectrum antibiotics, and the spread of resistant bacteria.

The presentation showed significant interest among conference participants. Several conference participants reached out to learn more about the project, discuss opportunities for collaboration, and explore ways to become involved in the work.

“You presented one of the most impressive and important presentations I heard during the four days of the conference. Keep up the great work that you and your colleagues are doing!”

— one of the conference participants
(For security reasons, we cannot publicly disclose the names of all participants.)

The Ukrainian experience in this field is important far beyond Ukraine. Antimicrobial resistance is a shared risk across health systems, and it is managed best where it starts. Ukraine is one of very few settings where the full evacuation pathway can be studied end to end — which is why the standardized early-decontamination approaches emerging from this work matter to military and civilian medicine well beyond Ukraine.

That is why Razom supports projects that help not only treat the consequences of war, but also prevent them.

This project works because it’s led by Ukrainian institutions, not layered on top of them. The Public Health Center and the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics are doing the core scientific work. Razom’s role is to support that work and help it reach audiences that can use it, including at MHSRS.

— Dan Solchanyk, Director of Health, Razom for Ukraine

Infection Prevention provides an opportunity to study these risks directly in wartime conditions and to develop and trial innovative approaches that may be useful for military medicine not only in Ukraine, but also during future large-scale wars.

What happens after foreign teams leave Ukraine?

Published: August 26, 2026

Authored by Dan Solchanyk, Director of Health at Razom

When international organizations come to Ukraine, they bring things Ukraine genuinely needs: clinical experience, specialist expertise, funding, surgeons, instructors, and equipment. That matters, and it produces real results while the work is underway. But the question that decides whether any of it lasts arrives at the end, not the beginning. When the project closes and the visiting team goes home, can the work continue without them? Ukrainian institutions absorb the immediate benefit of the training. What they do not always acquire is what would let them run it themselves. That means certified national instructors, an accreditation pathway, an institutional home, and a financing line that does not depend on the next grant.

That is why the key question for any international healthcare project should be simple. How do we transfer responsibility and ownership to Ukrainian institutions? Who will continue this work after us? Who will run the next course? Who will train the next doctor? Who will have the resources and authority to develop the program further?

This means thinking beyond the launch of a project and planning for the moment when the Ukrainian team can fully take ownership, develop the program, and scale it. That is our bigger goal at Razom. Not just to respond to an emergency, but to help build a system that keeps working whether or not we are there.

Our clearest example of this approach is ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support), which Global Medical Knowledge Alliance (GMKA) is leading the implementation and development of in Ukraine, in partnership with Razom for Ukraine and in collaboration with international ATLS partners, including the American College of Surgeons, Mass General Brigham, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, and Harvard Medical School.

Start with the program itself. ATLS is the global standard for the initial in-hospital assessment and management of the severely injured trauma patient. It is what trauma teams across most of the world are trained on, and it gives clinicians a common language and a common sequence under pressure. In Ukraine, where healthcare professionals face war-related trauma every day, a standardized approach has become increasingly important.

But there is another reason this program is different for us.

Delivery and ownership are two different problems. A course can run well, and the clinicians in the room can come away genuinely better, and none of that guarantees the training continues once the visiting faculty stops coming.

So rather than relying indefinitely on international instructors, we partnered with GMKA in building a Ukrainian team that can deliver ATLS independently, develop new instructors, and sustain the program in Ukraine. The long-term goal is to establish a Ukrainian-led ATLS system, with Ukrainian course directors, educators and institutions taking responsibility for the program, supported by the appropriate international ATLS structures.

This is how international organizations should be working in Ukraine in 2026 and beyond.

We can bring expertise, funding, and experience. But the result we are working toward is stronger Ukrainian clinicians and institutions, not deeper reliance on external support.Put simply, our goal is to build something that no longer needs us. What matters is not how long we’re involved or how much we deliver, but whether the systems we help build can stand on their own.

A successful project is not one that international funding sustains indefinitely. It is one Ukraine can carry on its own, with a system stronger and more capable than the one we found.

Ukrainian Military Physicians Treating Severe Combat Injuries Complete Certified ATLS Training

Published: August 26, 2026

In August 2026, Ukrainian military physicians caring for severely wounded patients across different stages of medical evacuation became the first dedicated military cohort in Ukraine to complete the certified Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course.

The cohort brought together physicians working across the trauma care pathway—from stabilization points and forward surgical teams to military hospitals. By training clinicians from different stages of evacuation together, the course strengthens a shared, structured approach to the rapid assessment, stabilization, and treatment of severely injured patients.

The training was organized by the Global Medical Knowledge Alliance (GMKA) in collaboration with the American College of Surgeons, Mass General Brigham, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, and Harvard Medical School, and in partnership with Razom for Ukraine. The course was delivered by certified ATLS instructors.

According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, more than 41,000 civilians were injured during the first four years of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. The actual number is likely significantly higher, as many cases cannot be independently verified due to lack of access to certain areas. Figures on wounded military personnel are not publicly disclosed. In this context, the need for clinicians trained to manage severe and multiple injuries remains critically high.

ATLS provides a structured approach to the assessment and early management of severely injured patients. It does not replace protocols developed specifically for combat environments. Instead, it gives medical teams a shared framework for action — from identifying the most immediate threats to life and prioritizing interventions to repeatedly reassessing the patient and transferring care to the next medical team.

“It is important that a shared approach is understood and applied not only by individual physicians, but by entire medical teams. That is why implementing ATLS in Ukraine cannot be limited to a few courses for a small group of specialists. Our goal is to build a Ukrainian community of ATLS providers and instructors and create a system in which certified training can be delivered regularly under national leadership,” says Nelya Melnitchouk, MD, MSc, FACS, Co-Founder and CEO of GMKA, board-certified colorectal surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and assistant professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School.

The goal extends beyond meeting the immediate demands of wartime medicine. In the long term, expanding ATLS can also contribute to a more consistent and integrated trauma care system across Ukraine.

“Above all, ATLS provides structure. It is the foundation — a cornerstone of a trauma care system. If everyone shares the same basic understanding of the xABCDE algorithm, the primary and secondary surveys, and continuous reassessment of findings, then you have the foundation for a system-wide approach. It also gives you a common language for professional communication,” explains ATLS Course Director.

The training was supported by Razom for Ukraine as part of its broader work to strengthen Ukraine’s healthcare capacity, including trauma care and medical education.

“Razom’s work is not only about responding to the challenges created by the war. We are also working to make Ukraine’s healthcare system stronger. The ATLS program is one of the best examples of that work. Physicians from across Ukraine, including frontline regions, gain critically important trauma care skills that they then apply in their hospitals and pass on to their colleagues. For us, this is an investment in Ukraine’s future,” says Dan Solchanyk, Director of Razom Health at Razom for Ukraine.

About the Initiative

Global Medical Knowledge Alliance (GMKA) is leading the implementation of ATLS in Ukraine in close collaboration with the American College of Surgeons, Mass General Brigham, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, and Harvard Medical School. The August 2026 ATLS course was conducted with support from Razom for Ukraine.

Halfway Point, Ahead of Schedule: 48 Ukrainians Have New Prostheses

Published: August 13, 2026

Viktoria is 13 and was born with a limb difference. She loves intricate beadwork, bakes cakes to order, and is now learning to style her own hair — with a hand she received a few months ago.

She’s one of 48 people who’ve received a prosthesis through the joint initiative between Razom for Ukraine, Esper Bionics, and Ukrainian clinical partners — surpassing our original half-year target of 33 people. We’re at the equator of this program, and the pace has outrun what we planned for.

That number holds a wide range of lives. Seven of the 48 are children building their futures with new capability years ahead of them; 41 are adults returning to work, families, and routines interrupted by loss. Twenty-seven are veterans of the war; 21 are civilians whose injuries came from it in other ways. Two are living with double amputations — among the most complex cases the program takes on. Behind every one of these numbers is a story like Viktoria’s.

“I want to sincerely thank the people and organizations who care enough to support projects like this,” Viktoria’s mother says. “Because of your faith and support, our children become more confident and independent, with a real chance at an active life.”

“Our work has always been about giving people more than a prosthesis,” said Lidiia Sanyk, Country Lead UA at Esper Bionics. “We believe technology can help people regain the ability to do the things that matter to them. Every person who receives a prosthesis shows us that this idea works in real life.”

“Every person receiving a prosthesis is proof this system works — a stronger, more accessible future for Ukraine, built one person at a time,” said Iryna Gudyma, Project Manager at Razom for Ukraine. “We’re building a system of care that will keep supporting Ukrainians long after the war ends, and help make prosthetic care a standard part of recovery.”

By the end of the year, 65 people will have received their prostheses — each one pursuing what independence looks like for them.

Esper Bionics is a Ukrainian company developing advanced bionic prosthetic solutions designed to restore function, independence, and quality of life for people living with limb loss.

Razom Co-Pilot Alumni Event: A Decade of International Medical Collaboration and Future of Ukrainian Healthcare

Published: July 29, 2026

Ten years ago, the first Razom surgical mission brought together Ukrainian and international doctors for the first time. Since then, what started as a small initiative has grown into a community of medical professionals who continue to learn from each other, share knowledge, and work together to improve surgical care in Ukraine.

This June, the Razom team brought together more than 70 Ukrainian medical professionals in Kyiv — doctors, surgeons, nurses, and partners from across Ukraine — for the Co-Pilot Alumni gathering.

“Our mission is to strengthen Ukraine’s healthcare system by sharing knowledge, supporting medical education, and building strong international partnerships. Through this work, Ukrainian medical professionals gain access to global expertise, while Ukraine’s experience continues to contribute to the future of medicine worldwide,” said Yuliia Shama, Head of the Razom Health Co-Pilot project.

In Ukraine, strengthening civilian-military healthcare cooperation is essential. It requires trust, coordination, and sustained joint effort. Over the past decade, we’ve worked alongside these professionals through medical missions, training, conferences, observerships and operating rooms in both Ukraine and the United States. We have focused on improving surgical care for patients with complex war-injuries by supporting critical specialities including neurosurgery, orthopedics, facial plastic surgery, trauma, and nursing.

Today, that collaboration has evolved into something even more meaningful: a true partnership built on reciprocal learning, where knowledge flows in both directions.

“It is a ripple effect: by saving Ukraine, the world is also saving itself. The United States and international partners, especially Razom, provide Ukrainian surgeons with expertise, knowledge, and support. At the same time, Ukrainian doctors save lives every day in the most challenging conditions of war, creating unique clinical experience that will return to the global medical community through new approaches, knowledge, and standards that can help save patients around the world,” emphasized Dr. Andriy Sirko, the head of neurosurgery at Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro, Ukraine.

Tetiana Pavlychuk, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, began working with Razom during the Face the Future mission in Ivano-Frankivsk four years ago. Since then, she has collaborated with the team on strengthening military trauma care in Ukraine. Looking back on the early days of the full-scale invasion, she reflects on how Razom and its network of American experts helped transform clinical practice and supported the development of Ukraine’s national military trauma protocol.

“When the full-scale war started, it was a huge challenge for our medical community. We had never seen these types of injuries before. We began looking for partners, and step by step, we built those relationships. Our international colleagues came to Ukraine, and we traveled to the United States for courses and training. We brought that knowledge back to Ukraine and introduced new approaches that had never existed before.” said Tetiana.

Learning from Ukrainian Leaders

The Alumni event brought together medical professionals to reconnect, exchange best practices, and discuss the future of Ukrainian surgical care. Key topics focused on training the next generation of physicians and the impact of international collaboration.The event featured presentations from Ukrainian experts, as well as specialty working sessions focused on shared challenges and future priorities. Speakers included:

Dr. Victoria Kovach – Leadership in Context
Dr. Oksana Popova – American College of Surgeons: Ukrainian Perspective
Dr. Andrii Sirko – From wartime experience to global standards: How Ukrainian and USA team are changing global standards to the treatment of brain injuries,
Dr. Yuriy Demyan – How international partnership helps save limbs in Ukraine
Dr. Tetiana Pavlychuk – Reconstructive and restorative interventions in patients with facial injuries
Natalia Ruzhylo, Deputy Medical Director for Nursing – The profession that keeps the system going: how nursing changed during the war and whether systemic changes are possible in these conditions.

From Presentations to Working Groups

While the presentations inspired participants, the specialty working groups transformed those ideas into concrete plans for the future.

Neurosurgeons discussed implementing modern endovascular and hybrid surgical techniques, developing Ukrainian clinical protocols informed by wartime experience, and strengthening military-civilian cooperation through formal referral pathways and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Orthopedic surgeons emphasized that Ukraine’s wartime experience has become one of its greatest strengths. The discussions focused on translating individual expertise into lasting system-wide improvements through standardized treatment protocols, mentoring young physicians, stronger professional associations, and better patient pathways.
The facial reconstruction working group identified workforce shortages, national treatment standards, multidisciplinary care, and improved access to rehabilitation and facial prosthetics as critical priorities for the years ahead.
Nursing leaders highlighted the urgent need for safe staffing standards, stronger legal recognition of the nursing profession, expanded educational opportunities, improved compensation, and greater professional autonomy to build a resilient healthcare workforce.

Even though each specialty faced unique challenges, every group arrived at a similar conclusion: the future of Ukrainian healthcare depends not only on clinical excellence but on building stronger systems, investing in people, and continuing to collaborate across institutions and disciplines.

“I want to highlight our Ukrainian doctors and nurses who, despite the challenges of war and limited resources, continue to grow, adapt, and find new ways to care for their patients. But what is most inspiring is the community they are building” said Iryna Matsiuk, Co-Pilot Project Coordinator.

Natalia Rhyzhylo, who spoke about the changing role of nurses in Ukraine, commented on the importance of the support Ukraine receives from the Razom community.

“As long as we have this support, we know we are not standing alone. The strength of this global community — especially our partners in the United States — gives Ukraine the ability to keep moving forward. We are stronger because we know we have people standing with us,” said Natalia Ruzhylo, Deputy Medical Director for Nursing at Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Hospital and Director of the Pre-Carpathian School of Nursing.

Measuring the Impact

Over the years, more than 300 North American medical volunteers have joined Razom Co-Pilot missions in Ukraine, more than 500 Ukrainian doctors & nurses have participated in programs, and thousands of medical professionals have gained access to training, education, and international exchange opportunities.

Feedback from the Alumni gathering demonstrated the strength of these professional relationships. More than 92% of participants established new cross-sector professional connections, and the same percentage reported having concrete plans for future collaboration. Additionally, more than 84% shared that the working group discussions closely reflected the realities of their clinical practice.

“It was a warm gathering that brought together people we have worked with for many years. It reminded me of hosting a big birthday celebration, where you get to introduce the people you appreciate most, knowing they will connect over their commitment to treating patients with war injuries.” said Alex Domaradsky, Co-Pilot Project Manager.

But the greatest achievement cannot be measured in numbers — it is the people. Ukrainian medical professionals who are now becoming educators, instructors, innovators, and leaders of change in their hospitals and professional communities. This is how lasting change happens.

Neurosurgical Mission by Razom: U.S. and Ukrainian Doctors Perform 37 Complex Surgeries

Published: July 22, 2026

Just one day after the large-scale attack on Kyiv, the medical team witnessed the aftermath of russian strikes firsthand, including the area around the Lukianivska metro station. It was the beginning of another surgical mission. Yet beyond the destroyed buildings, the American doctors saw something that inspires them to return to Ukraine time and again — the extraordinary resilience of the Ukrainian people.

Razom for Ukraine organized the international CO-PILOT NEURO neurosurgical mission, which took place on June 12–20 in Kyiv, Dnipro, and Lviv. Over nine days, Ukrainian and American specialists jointly performed 37 free, high-tech surgeries for patients at four medical institutions.

Leading U.S. interventional neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons Dr. Maxim Shapiro and Dr. Kim Nelson traveled to Ukraine to take part in the mission. Working alongside Ukrainian medical teams, they performed some of the most complex endovascular procedures while sharing their expertise directly in the operating room.

A key focus of the mission was the exchange of surgical knowledge between American and Ukrainian neurosurgeons. The program covered three cities — Kyiv, Dnipro, and Lviv — where U.S. and Ukrainian doctors worked side by side to provide care for patients with the most complex cerebrovascular conditions.

“This is what true systemic change looks like — the very change we aim to achieve by organizing our surgical missions. We receive not only support from American doctors, but also valuable knowledge that remains in Ukraine and continues to strengthen our healthcare system after each mission concludes,” said Yuliia Shama, Head of the Razom Health Co-Pilot project.

During the mission, doctors performed a wide range of complex neurointerventional procedures, including treatment of cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, dural arteriovenous fistulas, venous sinus recanalization and stenting, as well as interventions for traumatic vascular injuries of the head and neck. Patients from various regions of Ukraine, including both civilian and military patients, received specialized care.

In Dnipro, the team worked at the Mechnikov Dnipropetrovsk Regional Clinical Hospital, where 12 complex neurointerventional procedures were performed in just three days. During the mission, doctors spent hours in operating rooms, carrying out advanced interventions while simultaneously providing continuous emergency care, including treatment for patients with ischemic stroke.

“We worked from morning until night, putting all our energy, knowledge, and inspiration into solving highly complex and unusual medical challenges. It was a true team effort, and we all worked together toward one goal — saving Ukrainian lives and improving the quality of medical care in Ukraine,” said neurosurgeon Yurii Cherednichenko.

Throughout the mission, Dr. Maxim Shapiro and Dr. Kim Nelson worked alongside Ukrainian neurosurgeons as part of CO-PILOT NEURO. This collaborative approach enabled Ukrainian specialists to gain hands-on experience with modern endovascular treatment techniques and exchange knowledge while managing complex clinical cases.

The final stage of the mission took place in Lviv, where, alongside surgical procedures, a lecture titled “Modern Aspects of Endovascular Treatment of Central Nervous System Pathologies” was held. The educational session was attended by 26 Ukrainian physicians. The training program was also organized by Razom for Ukraine, as strengthening the professional skills of Ukrainian medical workers remains one of the organization’s key priorities in supporting the country’s healthcare system.

Despite air raid alerts and new attacks, the mission continued. Teams traveling to Ukraine do not abandon their plans — they know their assistance is needed. It is the resilience and courage of Ukrainians that gives them the strength to continue.

Razom and partners launch the first-of-its-kind initiative in Ukraine to address drug-resistant infections in trauma care

Published: July 8, 2026

Razom for Ukraine, a leading U.S.-based nonprofit organization focusing on Ukraine, has officially launched Infection Prevention project TDAC (Trauma Decontamination and Antimicrobial Resistance Containment), also known as Operation Wallaby. The first-of-its-kind initiative in Ukraine focused on reducing the spread of drug-resistant bacteria that can no longer be treated with standard antibiotics (multidrug-resistant organisms, or MDROs). The goal is to improve outcomes for wounded patients and reduce severe, life-threatening infection complications.

The project is implemented in partnership with the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, with advocacy from frontline clinicians involved in pre-hospital care. It targets a critical gap in the route from the frontline to the hospital — preventing bacteria from spreading during handoffs between care teams before a patient ever reaches a hospital ward.

Why this matters for Ukraine and beyond

Wounded patients rarely go directly to a hospital. Along the way, they pass through multiple points of care — and each transfer can increase exposure to drug-resistant bacteria. These infections can severely complicate recovery and become life-threatening.

The scale of this risk is compounded by the length of Ukraine’s evacuation chains. Infection risk rises significantly at the end of a prolonged trauma evacuation pathway, with considerable regional variation, according to research by Hailie Uren published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2025). The longer a wounded patient remains in transit, the greater the opportunity for infection to take hold.

This is no longer solely a Ukrainian health challenge. As wounded patients are evacuated to hospitals across Europe for specialized care, drug-resistant bacteria travel with them — placing pressure on health systems far beyond the frontline. European hospitals are already encountering these infections among war-wounded patients, making early intervention an urgent international priority.

“Antimicrobial resistance could cost as many lives as cancer by 2050, according to the UK Government’s Review. Resistant bacteria do not stop at the Ukrainian border. It is an early warning for every health system worldwide. That is why launching the Infection Prevention Project is so important,” said Dan Solchanyk, Razom Health Program Director .

How it works

Ukrainian scientists and clinicians, led by Hailie Uren, are working alongside clinical partners to investigate where and how drug-resistant bacteria enter the evacuation chain. Based on this work, Ukraine will introduce standardized practices focused on early decontamination and stopping bacteria from spreading between handoffs.

The project unfolds in three stages. The team is currently screening war-wounded patients across the evacuation chain — from casualty collection points through forward surgical units (Role 2) and hospitals (Role 3) — mapping where bacterial contamination occurs. Later in 2026, those findings will guide the creation of dedicated decontamination units to stop bacteria from entering clinical environments. By 2027, the full programme will be rolled out based on the evidence gathered.

“With a high proportion of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) not responsive to last-line antibiotics among war-wounded patients, early intervention through this project is critical to preventing infection before patients reach a hospital,” said Hailie Uren, Project Lead and Principal Investigator from Razom and UPHC.

The approach is grounded in U.S. military medicine and informed by expert consultation, adapted to prolonged evacuation chains and wartime conditions in Ukraine.

Stopping infections early reduces the need to prescribe antibiotics without knowing which bacteria are present (broad-spectrum empirical use) — helping slow the development of antimicrobial resistance and protecting the wider health system.

For more information, please contact anna.hryniv@razomforukraine.org

7th Face the Future Mission by Razom: How world-class surgeons rebuild Ukrainians’ faces after trauma

Published: July 7, 2026

In May 2026, Ivano-Frankivsk hosted the seventh international medical mission “Face the Future,” organized by Razom for Ukraine. Surgeons from Canada, the United States, and Ukraine carried out 68 surgical procedures on 24 patients with severe facial injuries.

At the center of every mission is a person — and a very personal dream. For Andrii from Ivano-Frankivsk, it was simply being able to breathe again. For Roman from Khotyn, it was restoring his facial structure after captivity. For Mykhailo from Stryi it was removing a scar and correcting a nose fractured in an FPV drone strike.

Different stories, but one shared path to recovery. All three were among 24 patients treated in Ivano-Frankivsk during the seventh “Face the Future” mission organized by Razom for Ukraine.

Dozens of surgeries in just a few days

From May 3 to 8, the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Hospital became a center of intensive surgical work. Teams from Canada, the United States, and Ukraine performed 68 surgical procedures on patients with severe facial trauma — both military and civilian.

“This time, 13 specialists from North America joined Ukrainian colleagues. The team included six surgeons and seven nurses from Canada and the United States, five of whom have Ukrainian roots,” said Peter Adamson, President and Founder, Face the Future Foundation.

Razom as a core partner of the mission

Beyond the operating room, Razom plays a key role in making the mission possible. The organization handles logistics, coordination, and part of the medical supplies, allowing doctors to focus entirely on patient care.

“Razom is a bridge between North America and Ukraine. We take care of all on-site coordination — logistics, organization, and communication with the hospital. This allows doctors to focus on patients and reduces the burden on the hospital,” said Iryna Matsiuk, Razom Coordinator in Ukraine.

This was also confirmed by Natalia Komashko, the Ukrainian lead of the mission and an otolaryngologist:

“I am especially proud of our Ukrainian team, whose work begins long before the international teams arrive and continues long after they leave. We are sincerely grateful to Razom for Ukraine – not only for helping bring expert teams to Ukraine, but also for providing essential medical supplies that significantly strengthen our hospital’s capacity to deliver care”

Partnership that restores quality of life

These missions are made possible through close cooperation between doctors, bioengineers, and volunteers working toward one shared goal — restoring function and quality of life for patients in even the most complex cases.

The program is implemented by Razom for Ukraine, Face the Future Foundation, Still Strong, and the Charitable Foundation “Patients of Ukraine,” in partnership with the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Hospital and with support from Materialise.

“I am deeply grateful to everyone involved. They are doing important work and providing real support, and I am thankful that such help and missions exist,” said patient Mykhailo Vovchyna.

How international missions transform Ukrainian surgery

While the types of injuries remain largely similar from mission to mission, the capacity of Ukrainian medical teams continues to grow significantly. This was emphasized by Anthony Brissett, a U.S. surgeon and medical director of the Face the Future mission, who has taken part in the program four times.

“Doctors and nurses are becoming better prepared and expanding their skills. This is reflected in the complex procedures we performed this week, including cases involving leading international experts in nasal reconstruction. This is the level of care Ukrainians deserve,” he said.

The mission is part of a broader long-term effort that goes beyond individual operations. It is not only about treating patients with the most severe injuries, but also about strengthening surgical capacity in Ukraine. Ukrainian doctors, anesthesiologists, and nurses work side by side with international teams, gaining experience and taking on increasingly complex cases. According to Razom Health Co-Pilot Project Lead Yuliia Shama:

“Over the past 3 years, Razom’s medical missions have helped provide life-changing surgeries to more than a thousand patients with complex injuries. Through the Co-Pilot Project, we are strengthening Ukraine’s long-term surgical capacity by training specialized surgeons, expanding international partnerships, and advancing modern reconstructive care so that critical expertise remains and grows in Ukraine.”

Training and knowledge exchange

Alongside the procedures, more than 200 nursing leaders from across Ukraine gathered for the VII International Nursing Symposium. Half of the presentations were delivered by international speakers, and half by Ukrainian nursing professionals. The symposium was supported by Razom for Ukraine, marking an important step in strengthening nursing education and professional development in Ukraine. The hospital also received simulation trainers for hands-on training, provided by Razom.

In addition, the VII Symposium on Reconstructive Surgery of the Head and Neck was held in Ivano-Frankivsk as part of the Face the Future Ukraine mission. A key highlight was the visit of Frederick J. Menick, one of the world’s leading experts in nasal reconstruction. He delivered lectures and hands-on sessions, sharing advanced approaches to complex reconstruction and clinical decision-making in surgery.

The humanitarian program “Face the Future Ukraine” was founded by Face the Future Foundation, Razom for Ukraine, and Still Strong to provide free reconstructive surgeries to Ukrainian patients and train Ukrainian surgeons. It is implemented in partnership with the Regional Clinical Hospital of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council, Healing The Children North East, Materialise, the CF “Patients of Ukraine”

From World Wars to Wartime Today: How Ukrainian Scouting Is Protecting the Spirit of Youth in Odesa

Published: June 25, 2026

On a warm, sunny May afternoon, a scenic lakeside in Odesa dotted with tents hummed with the sound of children’s laughter and play. Standing on the banks downstream from their campsite, a row of young Vikings saluted their group oath in unwavering solidarity, “Brothers, it is time for us to stand in a row, raise the Plast banner, and gain glory for Ukraine.”

The bright patches of their uniforms, each hard-won through successfully completing a meticulous task or test, caught in the sunlight as the children held their imaginary Viking shields by their side.

Yes, today they would be Vikings.

Not orphans or children without a home. Not refugees forced to flee their city. Not children of frontline parents, not children of war. Just Vikings in a beautiful, carefree world of make-believe. And underneath that, just children.

This return to the innocent and creating a space for free development is exactly what Plast, Ukraine’s international scout organization, strives to create. For over a century, Plast has helped young people build character, hone leadership skills and establish a strong community through outdoor adventures, service and teamwork. In today’s Ukraine, where many children have grown up under the shadow of war, these lessons take on new meaning, creating a new reality with more possibilities.

Plast, like all of Ukraine, was built through repression, difficulty and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Founded in 1912 in western Ukraine, the organization survived two world wars as well as occupation by Poland, Germany and Russia, all of whom forbade or restricted the existence of Plast.

1. Plast camp in the village of Solochyn (Zakarpattia Oblast), 1934. Archive of the “Local History” project. 2. Plast group in the village of Bryukhovychi, Lviv District, Lviv Province, 1920s. Personal archive of Daria Korchak. 3. Plast girls, 1930s. “Local History” Project Archive. 4. A Plast camp for boys in Staryava near Khyrov, held from June 28 to July 24, 1939. Personal archive of Lukia Lukomska

In theory, Plast, like all of Ukraine, wasn’t supposed to make it. War after war, regime after regime, everything that plagued the land that Plast was built on, tried to snuff out the flame of Ukrainian culture and progress which it strived to illuminate. All of it worked to make Plast and Ukraine a faint memory.

And now, the full-scale invasion of Russia brings past horrific history into full swing again as war forces Plast into another round of defense and struggle for its own existence and name. But Plast has shown throughout its history that, like Ukraine, it cannot be thrown down that easily.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, over 25,000 internally displaced children have moved to Odesa. Combined with a shortage of youth programs and stable community spaces, many children in the area have limited opportunities for personal development, leadership training and social connection, a problem that Razom joined Plast this year to help address.

However, the challenges facing children in Odesa extend beyond displacement. Air raid sirens remain a regular part of life, and youth activities can still be interrupted by security threats. Plast youth leader Polina described a recent case when a Shahed drone flew over the camp, forcing everyone to flee into bomb shelters.

“It was so scary… But afterward, we had to get back and just continue- in a country without war, you don’t have to think about this,” said Polina.

Many such thoughts and anxieties surround Ukrainian youth in their day-to-day lives. Their unique situation makes things like Plast all the more important for their continued development.

“There is nothing ‘ordinary’ about being a young person in Ukraine today,” said Nastia Rab, chief advancement officer for Razom. “Even a summer camp takes place against the backdrop of a full-scale war. Yet that makes these experiences even more important. They give young people community, purpose, leadership skills and a sense of hope for the future.”

Despite these obstacles, this spring, Plast’s Odesa branch hosted its fifth major youth event of the year, “Spring Celebration”, bringing together children from across the region, and across Ukraine, for a weekend of camping, games, challenges and friendships. Razom’s team joined in to experience the festival firsthand and to speak with participants and leaders about what Plast meant to them- and why they believe it’s important in shaping Ukraine’s future.

Razom partnered with Plast Odesa last year to provide a full year of support for such youth advancement activities. By providing materials such as tents, ropes, crafts and training resources, Razom helped manifest the goals and ideas that Plast had for the kids in their community.

Students participated in a rotation of workshops, stations and games where they learned different scouting and nature skills, such as knot tying, proper travel packing, setting up tents and map reading, materials for which were directly provided by Razom.

Their achievements are reflected in the patches they earn, and every patch tells a story. Most children have already gained multiple patches in several Plast programs throughout the year, including one for providing emergency first aid.

In addition to learning practical skills, participants and leaders emphasized the importance of Plast providing a unique environment for a thriving Ukrainian culture and community. Plast is Ukrainian-speaking, meaning all the events and activities are hosted in Ukrainian. For some students who don’t speak Ukrainian at home or encounter Russian in their everyday contexts, this provides a space where Ukrainian language and culture are the norm rather than the exception.

“A child should be immersed in Ukrainian-language culture and experiences, without Russian constantly entering that space,” said Korotaeva.

For some participants, Plast is an experience of re-immersion into Ukrainian culture and a unique space where they can share that with others.

“They want a community. They want more friends who share their values, more Ukrainian values, people who speak Ukrainian. Maybe at school or near home they don’t have that,” said Polina.

Plast not only invests in children participants, but also in training up group leaders and student counselors. As a training ground for young adults, Plast prepares older youth to step into adulthood with a leadership mindset and skillset.

“This also gives me some benefits, I gain experience being a leader, -something I don’t often get the chance to do,” said another Plast leader.

Most importantly, Plast provides participants with relationships and friendships that they can keep with them for the rest of their lives. It’s not just a camp where kids are dropped off and then picked up at the end of the day, it’s a forever-community, said Korotaeva.

“For me, Plast has become an inseparable part of life,” said a young participant.

Plast is all about investing in this resilient future. However, Razom’s connection to Plast is actually much deeper rooted in the past. Many from Razom’s staff were once Plast scouts or counselors as youth, and owe much of their love and work for Ukraine to their experience in the organization.

Dora Chomiak, third from left at a Plast history and public speaking competition

Dora Chomiak, shaking the left hand of a Plast counselor

Dora Chomiak, Razom’s CEO, started her journey with Plast as a child, attending camps in the Washington D.C. branch. Later, she became a Plast leader herself where she learned how to plan and run a camp for over a dozen students only a few years younger than her.

“I rely on all those experiences throughout my career,” said Chomiak. “Collaborate. Roll with it. Walk on the sunny side of the street when you can. Respect nature.”

Rab immigrated from Ukraine to the U.S. as a child and found an invaluable Ukrainian community in Plast that allowed her to stay connected to her roots.

“Plast helped shape who I became. Knowing that today’s scouts are finding the same friendships, values and sense of responsibility that I found years ago makes me especially proud of this partnership,” said Rab.

Uliana Bilash, Razom’s director of people and culture is a generational Plast attendee in her family. Her parents met at a Plast camp and passed on the experience to her, which eventually brought her to Plast camps across the U.S., Canada, Spain, Belgium, Germany and Ukraine both as a camper and counselor.

In 2022, when Plast summer camps in Ukraine had to close due to the invasion, Bilash volunteered at a Plast camp in Spain where many Ukrainian children refugees fled. It was another chance for her to pour into the next generation. Now that Plast is back in Ukraine, she works to ensure that kids still have the same experiences she had as a Plast scout.

“Now, we are lucky that Plast camps continue in Ukraine, but we often lack the resources needed to run them,” said Bilash. “By supporting Plast camps, we can help Ukraine’s children learn skills that can grow them into leaders of a prosperous and democratic Ukraine.”

Ukrainian Plast participants recreate their version of the Mariupol Theater at a Plast camp in Spain 2022.

Razom’s public engagement coordinator for its advocacy branch, Daryna Lesniak, also a Plast alumnus, started her own Plast group in Shanghai as a way to express her own Ukrainian story wherever she went.

“With Plast you always carry a piece of Ukraine with you,” said Lesniak.

Plast’s rich history and work has brought much of Razom’s team to their place right now. However, Plast’s reach also goes beyond the regular parts of Ukrainian society. Not only have Plast members taken great part in fighting in the world wars, were strong participants in Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity in 2014, but many now serve on the front lines, in defense against Russia’s aggression.

Having members of Plast serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine creates a conflicting reality. Enormous amounts of time, energy and resources are poured into supporting current and former Plast members in the army, which hold paramount importance. However, that also creates challenges in funding and sustaining the core youth programs that keep Plast active for the next generation, said Rab.

The future of Plast in Odesa is one of prospective growth. The current program is at full capacity with over 100 children on the waiting list. There are only so many resources available to cover so many students; there is not enough capacity for demand, said Korotaeva.

“We receive inquiries from parents almost every day,” said Korotaeva. “I keep writing and saying everywhere that our dream is for anyone who wants to join to be able to do so. Any child, especially here in Odesa.”

Looking ahead, Plast in Odesa hopes to expand their equipment inventory, train more leaders and eventually open up their own office to reach more communities in the area, and Plast’s organizers emphasized the important role of donors and outside support to make this a reality.

“Through these grants, over the last seven months, we’ve grown tremendously and made our events bigger and better. Without that support, we wouldn’t have been able to do it,” said Korotaeva.

“One of the things that makes me very happy on bad days is knowing that people in other countries are supporting us.”

Every year, Plast functions as a community of knowledge, skill-building, close relationships and Ukrainian values.

Whether a refugee in Spain, an immigrant in the U.S., or a young Viking on the banks of an Odesa lake, every Plast member inherently becomes part of its vast history, part of an experience they will never forget.

“For many people, Plast is one big adventure,” said participant, Ihor.

“It’s something you’re meant to enjoy.”

Plast in Odesa is just one of the vital projects we’ve been able to support this year thanks to the generosity of our community.

But our work doesn’t stop here.

War is trying to steal their childhood, but you can help us give it back.

By becoming a part of this crucial mission, your gift to our Kids Campaign helps Ukrainian children reclaim their joy, resilience, and hope—giving them safe spaces to learn, grow, and just be kids.