Razom together with the famous Ukrainian travel blogger Anton Ptushkin, held a fundraiser in the United States to purchase 10 mobile bath and laundry complexes for the defenders of Ukraine on the front lines.
The fundraiser included two charity meetings with Anton Ptushkin in New York, which drew over 300 attendees, as well as an online auction where people could purchase valuable commemorative items to support the defenders of Ukraine.
Some of the items up for auction included:
A flag with the signatures of three Ukrainian generals — Zaluzhny, Syrsky, and Pavlyuk — which sold for $6,900.
A copy of Time magazine with Valery Zaluzhny on the cover and his autograph, which sold for $5,600.
A baseball bat signed by members of the New York Yankees baseball team, which sold for $3,700.
A bracelet with the “Azovstal” logo and the signature of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, which sold for $2,600.
Chevrons with the image of Patron the Dog, the hero dog who helped detect landmines in Ukraine, which sold for $3,700.
“Before I came to the United States, I tried to raise funds for one bath and laundry complex through my social media in Ukraine,” said Anton Ptushkin. “I was surprised to raise the money we needed in just two hours, and I raised the money for the second complex just within a day. This showed me that Ukrainians are willing to donate to humanitarian items for the military. However, people in Ukraine are also willing to donate to weapons and drones, while American people are more cautious about donating to these things and prefer to donate to humanitarian items. This is why I decided to try to raise money for mobile bath and laundry complexes in the United States. We did our first fundraiser and it was a success, so we decided to continue.”
Ptushkin also said that he chose New York as the starting point for the fundraiser because there is a large Ukrainian diaspora in the city. Jason Birchard, an owner of famous New York restaurant Veselka, generously donated $20,000 from his Stand With Ukraine Fund to the event.
Overall, the fundraiser raised $200,000, which will be used to purchase 10 mobile bath and laundry complexes. The showers are currently being manufactured near Kyiv and will soon be delivered to the front lines.
“It’s great to see that people from all over the world are coming together to support Ukraine,” said Olya Yarichkivska, one of the founders of the Razom foundation and the head of the Razom Heroes program in the United States.
“The money raised from this fundraiser will provide our defenders with much-needed bathing and laundry facilities, which are essential in this hot weather. We will continue to do everything we can to support Ukraine and its defenders.”
The Razom Heroes program is one of the many initiatives of the Razom foundation and the “Together for Ukraine” non-profit that are providing vital assistance to the defenders of Ukraine.
The program has already provided the frontline with over 130,000 tactical first aid kits, 3,000 combat medic backpacks, 100 pickup trucks/evacuation vehicles, 2,000 drones, walkie-talkies, repeaters, generators, starlinks, and other essential items for victory.
We are grateful for your interest in our work here at Razom for Ukraine. Please refer to our frequently asked questions below for information you are seeking about our mission delivery and/or how to get involved. If you don’t see your question answered on this page, please contact us with your inquiry at info@razomforukraine.org. Thank you!
How can one volunteer for Razom?
Razom for Ukraine was built on the dedication of hundreds of volunteers working together toward a common goal. As we grow, we continue to seek volunteers to support our various projects and initiatives. If you’re interested in volunteering, please fill out this form. While we cannot promise immediate placement, we’ll reach out as soon as new volunteer requests emerge from our teams. You can also email volunteering@razomforukraine.org.
In the meantime, you don’t have to wait for us; there are already opportunities to support Ukraine today:
Participate in information events and advocate for Ukraine on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest initiatives, and subscribe to our e-newsletter for news on how you can support Ukraine in your community and beyond.
Initiate a third-party fundraiser on behalf of Razom and feel free to be as creative as possible. People have started personal fundraisers for Razom on social media, hosted charity concerts, poetry readings, and evenings dedicated to supporting Ukraine’s cause.
How can one get help for Ukrainian service members?
Razom provides life-saving support to those doing the valiant work of safeguarding lives in wartime. While our organization may not directly provide the type of help you’re looking for, we encourage you to visit this page for resources and information that may guide you to the appropriate channels for your needs.
How can one get help for medical institutions?
For detailed information on how to properly apply for aid for medical institutions across Ukraine from Razom, please go to the link.
How can one get (personal) humanitarian aid?
Under the current circumstances, the efforts and attention of Razom are focused on supporting first responders and medics, medical facilities, and field hospitals, as well as advocating for Ukrainian victory. We also support Ukrainian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) providing aid in their communities.
If you are a newly arrived refugee from Ukraine to New York (USA), Razom does have an online resource – our Refugee Infohub – to guide you through obtaining services and assistance.
If you are in Ukraine or another part of the U.S., we recommend reaching out to other local organizations that provide personal aid.
How can a nonprofit/organization get grants/help from Razom?
Our grant-making program, Razom’s Relief works to foster a resilient and sustainable recovery that ensures the competitiveness of the Ukrainian economy and opportunities for those living in Ukraine. We do this via strategic investment into Ukrainian community initiatives.
The main areas of focus are:
Investing in development of Ukrainian Civil Society organizations
Providing educational and leadership development opportunities for children and youth, with a focus on STEM.
Ensuring competitiveness within the Ukrainian economy by getting people back to work with the necessary skills
Providing opportunities for veterans and women to join the workforce
Ensuring recovery via projects in water and green energy space
We are working on finalizing our new mandate and will share it soon. In the meantime, you can leave information about your organization here. Or apply for organizational development grant or mentorship here.
Can you share our fundraising page with your audience?
Razom’s mission delivery currently focuses on five program areas: Heroes, Health, Relief, Advocacy and Connect, for which we actively fundraise and which allows us to remain a sustainable nonprofit organization. Because of this we can’t support fundraising for other organizations and are not a platform for other organizations’ fundraising efforts.
How can we partner?
Please send your inquiry to our email: info@razomforukraine.org and our team will get in touch with you at the earliest possible time.
Philanthropic support is critical in fulfilling Razom’s mission and we are very grateful to our generous donors. Razom, Inc. is a U.S. 501(c)(3) organization with EIN # 46-4604398. Donations and gifts are deductible to the full extent allowable under IRS regulations and can be made online at our dedicated page: https://www.razomforukraine.org/donate/.
I am interested in working at Razom – do you have any opportunities?
To learn about career and internship opportunities, please visit our website.
Do you accept clothing donations, etc?
At this time we don’t accept in-kind donations in other forms than medical equipment and supplies or non-military aid to Ukrainian first responders and front line personnel.
We advise you to check with your local church or community center whether they can distribute some items directly.
Do you offer United for Ukraine (U4U) Sponsorship?
Razom does not provide sponsorship and should not be referenced as a sponsoring organization on the USCIS visa form. However, Ukrainians can connect with a sponsor using the following website: https://ukraine.welcome.us/connect.
ПОШИРЕНІ ЗАПИТАННЯ
Ми щиро вдячні за Ваш інтерес до нашої роботи в Razom for Ukraine. Будь ласка, ознайомтеся з відповідями на часті запитання нижче, щоб дізнатися більше про нашу місію та способи долучення. Якщо Ви не знайдете відповіді на своє запитання, будь ласка, звертайтеся до нас за електронною адресою info@razomforukraine.org. Дякуємо!
Як можна стати волонтером Razom?
Razom for Ukraine була заснована завдяки відданості сотень волонтерів, які працювали разом заради спільної мети. Ми продовжуємо шукати волонтерів для підтримки наших різних проєктів та ініціатив. Якщо ви зацікавлені у волонтерстві, будь ласка, заповніть цю форму. Хоча ми не можемо гарантувати миттєве залучення, ми зв’яжемося з вами, як тільки виникне потреба в нових волонтерах. Ви також можете написати на volunteering@razomforukraine.org.
Тим часом ви можете підтримати Україну вже сьогодні:
Брати участь в інформаційних заходах та підтримувати Україну в соціальних мережах. Слідкуйте за нами у Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn та підпишіться на нашу електронну розсилку, щоб отримувати новини про те, як ви можете допомогти Україні.
Приєднуйтесь до нашої мережі адвокації та звертайтеся до своїх обраних представників.
Відвідуйте мітинги та акції протесту у своєму місті; звертайтеся до наших партнерів Svitanok або Klych для більш детальної інформації.
Підтримуйте відповідні петиції та/або бойкотуйте компанії, що продовжують працювати в росії.
Відвідуйте заходи, які підтримує Razom.
Подайте заявку на стажування в Razom.
Організуйте сторонній фандрейзер на користь Razom. Люди вже започаткували особисті збори коштів у соціальних мережах, проводили благодійні концерти, поетичні читання та вечори на підтримку України.
Як можна допомогти українським військовим?
Razom надає життєво необхідну підтримку тим, хто здійснює героїчну роботу зі збереження життів під час війни. Хоча наша організація може не надавати саме ту допомогу, яку ви шукаєте, ми рекомендуємо відвідати цю сторінку для отримання ресурсів та інформації.
Як можна отримати допомогу для медичних установ?
Для детальної інформації про те, як правильно подати заявку на допомогу для медичних установ по всій Україні від Razom, будь ласка, перейдіть за цим посиланням.
Як можна отримати (особисту) гуманітарну допомогу?
На даний момент Razom зосереджує свої зусилля на підтримці медиків, медичних закладів та мобільних шпиталів, а також на адвокації перемоги України. Ми також підтримуємо українські неурядові організації (НУО), що надають допомогу в своїх громадах.
Якщо ви нещодавно прибули як біженець з України до Нью-Йорка (США), Razom має онлайн ресурс — Refugee Infohub, щоб допомогти вам з отриманням послуг та допомоги.
Як неприбуткова організація може отримати гранти/допомогу від Razom?
Наша грантова програма Razom’s Relief спрямована на стійке відновлення України через стратегічні інвестиції в ініціативи українських громад.
Основні напрями:
Інвестування у розвиток громадянського суспільства в Україні.
Освіта та лідерство для дітей та молоді, з акцентом на STEM.
Підтримка конкурентоспроможності економіки України.
Підтримка ветеранів та жінок у працевлаштуванні.
Проєкти у сфері водопостачання та зеленої енергетики.
Як можна партнерувати з Razom?
Будь ласка, надсилайте ваші запити на info@razomforukraine.org, і наша команда зв’яжеться з вами якомога швидше.
In acknowledgement of all the hard work volunteers, supporters, partners, and donors have put into Razom’s Emergency Response for almost five straight months now, we’ve put together an Impact Report. We’re making history together, #Razom, and we wouldn’t be able to do it any other way. So take a look, read it, share it, and help us continue this great work for Ukraine.
My name is Anna Andruseiko and this was my third year coordinating the RUTA Conference. The RUTA Association is an international academic association for Central, South-Eastern, Eastern European, Baltic, Caucasus, Central and Northern Asian Studies. The conference serves as a statement and act of solidarity with Ukrainian scholars. Every year the conference brings together more than 150 individuals from more than 20 countries who come to Ukraine because of it. The guiding light for the team is to foster dialogue across the regions and beyond.
How RUTA works
The RUTA team works almost exclusively on a voluntary basis and is run by the Board of Representatives, who are elected for three year terms. Regional diversity is a very important feature of the Board, with every member representing a distinct RUTA region. The conference is the organization’s main event. For four days, scholars gather in Ukraine to discuss topics and themes that have been marginalized within academic circles for years.
As a team, we strive to create cross-regional panels from the applications we receive, as the point is to work outside the box in order to recognise that many of our challenges and problems are shared across our regions, and that we can learn from each other in order to decolonise the narratives that have persisted about our regions. Another important point is that we invite not only scholars but also artists and activists, as it is important to move beyond academic articles and find ways to put what we discuss into practice.
Why I joined RUTA
As I have a bachelor’s degree in Cultural Studies, the topics of the conference and the Association’s mission are very close to my heart, especially given that the conference has annually been held in Ukraine. I have travelled a lot for different Erasmus projects, and I have all too frequently encountered the misconception that Ukraine has no distinct history of its own, and can simply be absorbed into “Russian studies.” That is why I joined RUTA in 2023.
Why it is important to hold the conference in Ukraine
First of all, it is a way to stand in solidarity with Ukrainian scholars who cannot currently leave Ukraine to attend academic conferences. Another reason is to bring back those Ukrainian scholars who have left the country. This may seem obvious, but they really do need a reason to come back, even for such a short time. And last but not least, it is a way to show the country to participants who are coming here for the first time, and to give them the opportunity to see from the inside how we live here permanently, what our culture is like and so on.
I can definitely say that it takes a lot of courage to come here, and as the RUTA team, we deeply appreciate that trust. When people come from Australia, the US, Canada, Qazaqstan and Japan to spend four days in Ukraine, it gives us hope that we are doing the right thing.
Uzhhorod
From my perspective as a Ukrainian, I see great symbolism in the fact that the conference has taken place in Uzhhorod for the third year in a row. The city is located on the border, at the frontier, and it encompasses so many nationalities and challenges, yet somehow people manage to live there and to create new meanings there as well. It is also the smallest regional centre in Ukraine, and it is extremely important to get away from major centres to decentralise knowledge production.
Positioning the region
Even though the organization provides a strong focus on Ukraine, it is essential for us to position it historically alongside other regions and countries.. We strive to dismantle the false bonds and rivalries that have been built over the years under the labels of Russian Studies or Slavic Studies, which have often merged the identities of different countries and treated them all as if they were the same, without recognising their distinct character.
At the opening ceremony of the RUTA Conference 2026, our Board Member Grazina Bielousova raised an important question about the term decoloniality, which is widely used today:
“Decoloniality invites new ways of imagining a future in which life otherwise — outside of the colonial gaze, colonial power, colonial knowledge creation, colonial legal frameworks — becomes possible. Decoloniality is also a way for us to know ourselves on our own terms, to speak ourselves in languages, both figurative and literal, that are our own.”
I would add that, apart from being a huge opportunity to finally escape this colonial gaze, decoloniality also comes with immense responsibility — and I would like to highlight that we cannot be given responsibility, we can only take it. This requires a lot of courage: not to start from scratch, but to rewrite existing narratives. Even though it is an extremely difficult process, I always keep in mind that decolonisation starts from love, as Mariam Naiem highlights in her book. This idea resonates deeply with me, particularly in relation to the conference. We can start the process of decolonisation with love and respect for the people we are doing it for. I want this country to be a better place. We design the conference to be a space where bold ideas and people can meet and be themselves, no matter their identity, race or origin.
Building an institution
Put in practical terms, it is extremely difficult to build an international institution in Ukraine that, in many ways, challenges established narratives and concepts used in the academic world. From time to time, we hear that RUTA is not enough of an academic association, because we include a lot of art presentations , and bring activists into our conversations. But in fact this can be seen as evidence that we are successfully challenging established rules and expectations and are we are moving in the right direction.
It is RUTA’s third year as an institution, and we are still working out how we can become more stable and independent. These past years would not have been possible without our partners and supporters, who believed in us and had the courage to raise the same questions we do, and engage in these difficult discussions.
Partnership with Razom for Ukraine
Because RUTA, as an institution, is new and requires new approaches to management, this motivated me to enrol in the Management of Nonprofit Organisations programme at UCU, Lviv. As I often find myself saying, holistic support is very important, and my studies would not have been possible without the scholarship from Razom for Ukraine. In this way, I have a direct opportunity to test the knowledge I gain and to put it into practice at RUTA, from creating new financial models to establishing the RUTA Community.
Razom for Ukraine is an example of how we can build a multi-year partnership where financial investment is just one layer , but, more importantly, where we build relationships and learn from each other. Through this support, we came to recognise the need for more structured work with young scholars, and this will be one of our main strategic directions in the coming years. Through our conversations, we also managed to bring Maya Hayuk and the Tryzub Project to Ukraine and to establish the RUTA volunteer programme for the second year in a row.
There is still a lot to overcome and to create, but as an emerging institution, we are grateful to be able to rely on our partners. I greatly appreciate that Razom for Ukraine supports both the individuals who drive institutions and the institutions themselves — because without the people at the heart of these initiatives, nothing would change.
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.
Teachers of the Future Festival: A Space for New Ideas
For the second consecutive year, Razom has proudly supported Teachers of the Future, one of Europe’s largest educational events, organized by the Ukrainian NGO Educational Initiative of the Free and Caring.
The sixth annual Teachers of the Future Festival took place in Lviv in the summer of 2026. It brought together more than 2,000 educators from across Ukraine, along with international experts and civil society leaders.
Over two intensive days, participants exchanged knowledge, expanded their professional networks, and attended more than 200 workshops and practical sessions.
This year, Razom supported the Educational Innovation Hangar, a dedicated space where more than 20 leading Ukrainian STEM companies and EdTech platforms showcased their latest educational solutions.
Participants included the Ranok and Litera LTD publishing houses; EdPro and ELIZ LABS, which develop interactive displays, laboratory equipment, and educational software; the innovative AR Book platform; Ukraine’s state educational app Mriia; and many others.
For teachers, this was an opportunity not only to explore emerging technologies but also to speak directly with developers about how these tools can be incorporated into everyday teaching and make learning more accessible, practical, and engaging for students.
Teachers of the Future Festival: A Space for New Ideas
For the second consecutive year, Razom has proudly supported Teachers of the Future, one of Europe’s largest educational events, organized by the Ukrainian NGO Educational Initiative of the Free and Caring.
The sixth annual Teachers of the Future Festival took place in Lviv in the summer of 2026. It brought together more than 2,000 educators from across Ukraine, along with international experts and civil society leaders.
Over two intensive days, participants exchanged knowledge, expanded their professional networks, and attended more than 200 workshops and practical sessions.
This year, Razom supported the Educational Innovation Hangar, a dedicated space where more than 20 leading Ukrainian STEM companies and EdTech platforms showcased their latest educational solutions.
Participants included the Ranok and Litera LTD publishing houses; EdPro and ELIZ LABS, which develop interactive displays, laboratory equipment, and educational software; the innovative AR Book platform; Ukraine’s state educational app Mriia; and many others.
For teachers, this was an opportunity not only to explore emerging technologies but also to speak directly with developers about how these tools can be incorporated into everyday teaching and make learning more accessible, practical, and engaging for students.
STEM Without Borders: From Scotland to Frontline Communities
High-quality STEM education prepares the engineers, scientists, and innovators who will help rebuild Ukraine’s energy sector, healthcare system, defense capabilities, and economy.
In the spring, Razom supported five Ukrainian teachers from frontline regions in taking part in the STEM Without Borders professional development program. The program was hosted by The King’s Foundation in Scotland in partnership with Osvitoria.
Over three days, participants explored project-based learning and advanced scientific teaching methods. They also examined how lessons drawn from nature can be connected to sustainable energy solutions and future careers in STEM.
Importantly, the program’s impact extends far beyond its five participants. After returning home, the teachers began sharing their knowledge with colleagues and introducing new approaches in their classrooms.
In this way, modern educational practices become accessible to thousands of Ukrainian children, including those living in communities that experience the consequences of war every day.
Civic Boost: Empowering Young People and Communities
Another area of support focuses on strengthening school autonomy and encouraging young people to participate in community decision-making.
Through Civic Boost, a delegation of educators from frontline communities in the Kharkiv region visited Lviv for a three-day professional exchange dedicated to these areas.
Lviv was chosen for a reason. The city’s schools enjoy a significant degree of autonomy: local lyceums manage their own budgets and establish distinctive educational hubs. During the exchange, participants explored this experience and gained practical tools for strengthening student self-government and launching educational and cultural initiatives in their home communities.
Programs like this help transform schools into spaces where young people not only acquire knowledge but also learn to influence decisions, work together, and take responsibility for the future of their communities.
Support with a Lasting Impact
Every educational program represents far more than a single training session, trip, or event. Teachers return to their schools with new knowledge, share it with their colleagues, and create new opportunities for hundreds—and ultimately thousands—of children.
Despite the war, Ukrainian educators continue to teach, innovate, and inspire their students. Razom remains committed to standing with them, because supporting teachers today means investing in the generation that will build a free, democratic, and resilient Ukraine tomorrow.
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.
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.
Razom for Ukraine and the American Literary Translators Association
Announce Joint Venture
August 26, 2026—Razom for Ukraine and the American Literary Translators Association (ALTA) are excited to announce the establishment of two new programs. Through this new partnership, ALTA will administer the Razom Mentorship for Decolonial Translation and the Razom Ukrainian Translation Award.
“This partnership with ALTA marks an important step in building lasting infrastructure for Ukrainian literature in translation,” said Anna Solovei, Interim Connect Program Director at Razom for Ukraine. “Ukrainian voices have too often been filtered through frameworks that obscure or diminish them. By centering decolonial approaches to translation and investing in both emerging and established translators, we hope to help create a more accurate, more resonant space for Ukrainian—and other historically marginalized—literatures in English. We’re grateful to ALTA for their partnership and expertise in bringing these programs to life.”
“We’re delighted to enter into partnership with Razom for Ukraine, whose work we so admire, to offer this mentorship and award,” said ALTA Executive Director Katrine Øgaard Jensen. “We’re humbled by the trust shown in our organization to administer these new programs: one to foster the next generation of literary translators, and one to recognize the excellent work of our colleagues. We are excited to begin work on these initiatives.”
The Razom Mentorship for Decolonial Translation will foster emerging literary translators working with literature from historically marginalized regions and languages, through a dedicated mentorship stream that pairs emerging translators with experienced mentors, with a different regional or language focus each year. This mentorship will be offered annually starting in 2027. Applications for the first year of this mentorship, which will offer a focus on Ukrainian-language literature with mentor Dominique Hoffman, open next week, on September 1, 2026.
The Razom Ukrainian Translation Award will sustain and recognize excellence in literary translation from Ukrainian and other languages of Ukraine into English. This award will be judged and awarded annually starting in 2027. Submissions will open, alongside the other awards ALTA administers, in mid-January 2027.
Razom for Ukraine is a leading U.S.-based nonprofit organization working to build a secure, democratic, and prosperous Ukraine. Founded in 2014, Razom (“together” in Ukrainian) supports urgent needs in Ukraine while investing in long-term solutions across health, civil society, advocacy, and culture. As Ukraine’s future has global implications, Razom strengthens trauma care systems, supports local leaders and communities, and connects Ukraine to the world.For more information, visit razomforukraine.org.
The American Literary Translators Association (ALTA) is a nonprofit arts membership association that provides programs and professional affiliation to the literary translation community: individual translators, academic institutions, presses, and others working in literary translation. The annual ALTA conference and year-round events are structured around the creation of high-quality art. ALTA also administers awards to recognize excellence in translation and provides fellowships and mentorships to support emerging translators. For more information, visit literarytranslators.org.
For many Ukrainian service members, returning home from the front marks the beginning of a new chapter —one of recovery, readjusting to civilian life, and finding new sources of purpose and support.
A training gym tucked inside a garage in Kyiv’s Podil district feels like its own little world. Blues and rock music fill the air, while the exposed brick walls are covered with military flags and unit patches. Veterans gather here to train, learn Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and spend time among people who understand their experiences without requiring lengthy explanations.
On the mats, there is friendly competition, laughter, and a strong sense of camaraderie. It is a place to focus on movement, challenge yourself, support others, and simply be yourself. Every person returns from war with a different story, different needs, and a different pace of recovery. For some, the priority is regaining confidence in their body. For others, it is finding a community, discovering a new role, or creating a space where they can begin planning for the future.
Adaptive sports are athletic activities tailored to an individual’s abilities and needs. For veterans — especially those recovering from injuries or living with disabilities — they can play an important role in physical rehabilitation, psychological well-being, and social connection.
Since 2025, Razom has supported initiatives that help veterans recover through sports, train adaptive sports coaches and instructors, strengthen veteran leadership programs, and build local communities. This summer, we visited two of these projects and witnessed participants not only discovering new opportunities through sports, but also passing their knowledge on to others, creating safe spaces, and bringing their communities together.
A New Chapter
“We have immense respect for those still serving on the front lines, and just as much respect for those who return home,” says Nataliia, project manager of “New Calling: A Profession for Life”. “The transition back to civilian life can be challenging, which is why it is so important for veterans to feel supported by society.”
That support is especially critical in smaller communities, where access to infrastructure, specialized services, and spaces for connection is often limited. Every veteran follows their own path of readjustment after returning home. When support is unavailable, emotional struggles may go unnoticed, leaving people to face them alone.
Project participant Artem remembers his own experience after demobilization:
“There were certain mental processes I didn’t like.”
One day, a friend invited him to a jiu-jitsu practice. Over time, the sport became an important source of stability.
“It gave me direction—somewhere to channel my emotions and a healthy way to clear my mind.”
Nearly ten years later, Artem remains part of the jiu-jitsu community. His experience showed him just how important movement, teamwork, and a sense of belonging can be in rebuilding life after military service.
Another participant, veteran Artem P., underwent a long recovery after being wounded and losing both legs.
“I was unconscious for a long time. For nearly two months, I was constantly under medication following multiple surgeries. When you finally return to everyday life after that, it’s difficult to find your place again,” he says.
Throughout his recovery, his greatest source of support was his family — his wife and daughter. Later, he joined an adaptive archery program. Training helped him better understand the capabilities of his body, regain confidence, and discover new goals.
“The most important thing is changing the way you see yourself — not as someone who is helpless, but as someone who is still capable of so much.”
For Artem, adaptive sports became much more than part of his physical rehabilitation. They became a space where he could test his limits, keep moving forward, and once again feel like an active participant in life.
How Do Adaptive Sports Help?
Oleh, the head coach of the “New Calling: A Profession for Life” project, explains that adaptive sports help participants develop body awareness, regain control over their movements, and improve their sense of balance.
“During the first few months of training, we focus on learning how to fall safely without getting injured. For people with disabilities, this is a skill that can make a real difference in everyday life.”
The ability to fall safely, maintain balance, or simply feel confident in your own body may seem like a small thing — until one day you have to learn those skills all over again.
Supporting Mental Health and Healing from PTSD
War leaves behind more than physical wounds. After returning home, many veterans face the psychological consequences of combat, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, irritability, and feelings of isolation. Adaptive sports offer a safe and structured way to work through these challenges.
Oleh, who primarily teaches Brazilian jiu-jitsu, explains the science behind the process:
“In training, we redirect the aggression associated with PTSD into a controlled environment. We know the violence isn’t real — it can stop at any moment — but hormonally, the body responds as if the danger is real. When the sparring session ends, the brain receives a clear message: I survived. Dopamine is released, and the person’s emotional state begins to improve.”
In this way, adaptive sports support recovery on multiple levels, helping veterans rebuild both physical strength and psychological resilience.
Nataliia, the project’s program manager, emphasizes that recovery is never one-size-fits-all. Different people need different entry points.
For some veterans, working with a psychologist comes first, giving them the confidence to eventually step onto the training mat.
For others, the process unfolds in the opposite direction. They need to release tension through physical activity before they are ready to open up in therapy.
Adaptive sports make both paths possible, meeting veterans where they are and allowing recovery to begin in the way that works best for each individual.
Rebuilding Confidence and Finding New Purpose
Adaptive sports do more than support rehabilitation — they also open the door to new careers and ambitions. For many veterans, they become an opportunity to pursue competitive athletics or become coaches after military service.
With just two or three years of training, many Ukrainian veteran-athletes are already competing at national and international tournaments, earning podium finishes and proving that recovery can lead to new achievements.
Nataliia recalls one particularly inspiring story:
“We had a participant with bilateral above-the-knee amputations. He had been training for only one year, and he came home with a gold medal.”
Ukrainian athletes continue to achieve remarkable success on the world stage. At the 2025 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Abu Dhabi, Ukraine’s national team finished second in the overall team standings and third among participating nations.
Coach Oleh hopes to see the team reach the very top — and is determined to help make that happen.
“Brazilians used to dominate jiu-jitsu. They were used to being the ones everyone looked up to. In 2024, Ukraine burst onto the scene, and people were genuinely surprised. In 2025, we performed even better. We want to keep building on that success and show the world how strong we are.”
Adaptive jiu-jitsu is unique because it allows athletes to transform what others might see as limitations into competitive advantages. Some of Oleh’s athletes with disabilities even aspire to compete in open divisions alongside able-bodied competitors.
“In this sport, your disability can actually become your strength. When your opponent encounters it for the first time, they’re disoriented — they simply don’t know how to respond.”
Jiu-Jitsu as “Human Chess”
Andrii, a participant in the “Sports Ambassadors” project, an experienced jiu-jitsu coach, and a veteran who defended Donetsk Airport in 2014, describes the sport as “human chess.”
Every match, he says, is a contest of two minds, with opponents solving complex problems under constant pressure. Success depends not on physical dominance but on strategy, timing, and the ability to use an opponent’s strength against them. In jiu-jitsu, the smaller or seemingly weaker competitor can defeat a stronger one through skill and tactical thinking.
For Ukrainians, this idea feels deeply familiar. Throughout Russia’s war against Ukraine, Ukrainian defenders have repeatedly faced a much more powerful enemy, relying on ingenuity, adaptability, and determination to overcome overwhelming odds.
For many veterans, adaptive jiu-jitsu recreates that mindset in a safe environment. It allows them to experience familiar emotions — stress, focus, determination, and resilience — without the life-threatening danger of combat. On the mat, they learn not only how to respond under pressure, but also that they are capable of regaining control, trusting themselves again, and moving forward.
From Athletes to Community Leaders
Training offers veterans more than physical recovery — it creates opportunities to reconnect with others who share similar experiences, both on and off the mat. For veteran Artem, the gym has become much more than a place to exercise. It is a place to meet friends, unwind, and talk openly with people who understand.
“These are the same people I stood in line with at the military enlistment office.”
Inspired by the support he found through jiu-jitsu, Artem dreams of returning to his hometown of Uman and building a local jiu-jitsu community where fellow veterans can train, connect, and support one another.
This is precisely the kind of impact Razom’s adaptive sports initiatives are designed to create. By equipping veterans with new skills, professional training, and leadership opportunities, these programs empower them to build lasting support networks in their own communities.
“New Calling: A Profession for Life”, implemented by the nonprofit “TMS – Fighting for Ukraine”, helps veterans build new careers as adaptive sports coaches. Participants completed comprehensive training in coaching, rehabilitation methods, psychological resilience, and entrepreneurship. Upon graduation, they received professional certificates and support with admission to the National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport.
“Sports Ambassadors 3.0”, implemented by “StratCom UA”, focuses on developing veteran leadership through adaptive sports. Over five months, participants completed training in leadership, communications, grant management, and community project development. Thirty finalists representing 20 communities took part in an in-person intensive program, where they presented their own adaptive sports initiatives. At least seven of these community projects will receive grant funding from Razom to bring their ideas to life.
The impact of these programs extends far beyond the participants themselves. Every graduate becomes someone who can pass on their knowledge, mentor others, and strengthen their local community. One trained coach can support veterans for years. One adaptive sports program can transform an entire community. And one veteran who regains confidence often goes on to help dozens of others begin their own journey of recovery.
Step by step, these initiatives are restoring more than individual lives—they are helping build a stronger, more resilient, and more connected Ukraine.
Razom for Ukraine Announces Fourth Annual Ukrainian Cultural Festival, Opening with US Premiere at Carnegie Hall
NEW YORK, NY, August 18 — Razom for Ukraine today announced the return of its Ukrainian Cultural Festival (UCF), a celebration of Ukrainian arts and culture across New York City, running October 18 through November 6, 2026. Now in its fourth year, UCF spans performing arts, cinema, theater, and literature, and continues Razom’s mission of connecting American audiences with Ukrainian voices, artists, and institutions.
The festival opens on October 18 at Carnegie Hall with the US premiere of “Steel, Violet, Rage,” a Concerto for Piano Four Hands and Orchestra by Ukrainian composer Oleh Bezborodko, believed to be the first piano four hands concerto ever written by a Ukrainian composer. The piece is inspired by a poem by Maksym Kryvtsov, a Ukrainian soldier and poet who was killed in the war shortly after writing it. The concerto will be performed by the Shelest Piano Duo alongside the Brandywine Valley Symphony Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Michael Hall, in partnership with the Alexander & Buono Foundation. A donor reception follows the performance. Tickets available atCarnegie Hall event page.
Throughout the festival, Razom Cinema partners with DCTV and QUAD Cinema to present a curated weekend of Ukrainian film programming from October 22 through 26. Highlights include the opening night screening of “Sanatorium,” directed by Gar O’Rourke, and a slate of features and documentaries exploring war, resilience, identity, and community, several developed in partnership with Ukrainian film festivals including Linoleum, Docudays, and Sunny Bunny. The cinema weekend also features a screening of the documentary “Scream of My Blood: A Gogol Bordello Story” with a special appearance by documentary subject and punk music legend Eugene Hütz.
On October 26, Dash Arts (London) presents a workshop of “The Reckoning,” a bilingual documentary style theater piece developed from verified witness testimony gathered by The Reckoning Project, ahead of its North American tour. The workshop is produced in New York in partnership with ArKtype, the original producer of the Public Theater’s Under the Radar Festival.
The festival’s literary programming includes “Poet as Witness” at Poets House on October 28, featuring Ukrainian poets and soldiers Lesyk Panasiuk and Yaryna Chornohuz alongside their translators, and a program on Lesia Ukrainka as “The Modernist Playwright America Has Yet to Discover” at the New York Public Library on October 30. The event features a reading of excerpts from Ukrainka’s two renowned plays “The Blue Rose” (1896) and “Cassandra” (1908), and a panel discussion exploring what possibilities Ukrainka’s fierce and psychologically charged work offers for the contemporary American theater artists and how her plays can be reimagined today.
UCF closes on November 6 at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Recital Hall with a performance by the Kyiv Lysenko State Music Lyceum Chamber Girls Choir together with the Westchester Children’s Chorus. The former is one of Ukraine’s premier youth choral ensembles and an international competition winner with past performances in Vatican City and at the Berlin Philharmonie. Both choirs take the stage side by side for the national anthems of Ukraine and the United States, followed by their own programs.
“We invest in culture because it’s essential, not optional. Razom’s cultural work – sharing Ukrainian arts, culture and stories – helps the world understand the real Ukraine; its creativity, resilience, and humanity.” – Ania Solovei, Razom Connect Interim Director
Tickets and full programming details are available at ucfnyc.org.
Media inquiries can be directed to Hannah Goldshlack-Wolf at hannah@wildkatpr.com (+19173302046).
About Razom:
Razom for Ukraine is a leading U.S.-based nonprofit organization working to build a secure, democratic, and prosperous Ukraine. Founded in 2014, Razom (“together” in Ukrainian) supports urgent needs in Ukraine while investing in long-term solutions across health, civil society, advocacy, and culture. As Ukraine’s future has global implications, Razom strengthens trauma care systems, supports local leaders and communities, and connects Ukraine to the world.
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 for Ukraine Applauds Senate Passage of Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, Calls on House to Act Without Delay
Washington, D.C., August 7, 2026 —Today, a bipartisan supermajority of Senators passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which targets Russia’s financial sector and puts a substantial pressure on Moscow and its enablers to end the brutal war against Ukraine. We are grateful to every Senator who supported this critical legislation.
“This marks the second piece of pro-Ukraine legislation to pass a chamber of Congress in just over two months,” said Daniel Balson, Director of Advocacy at Razom for Ukraine. “Ukraine’s battlefield successes have injected new urgency into Congress, while Putin’s relentless attacks on civilians have hardened its resolve. The House must now meet the moment by passing this bill and sending it to President Trump’s desk for signature.”
“The strong bipartisan support for this bill is a fitting tribute to Senator Lindsey Graham, who devoted years to supporting Ukraine as it bravely resisted Putin’s war machine. We are glad to see senators from both parties ready to take up the torch in the fight for freedom and democracy.”
Americans across the political spectrum have consistently supported stronger sanctions on Russia. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act answers that bipartisan demand by providing a comprehensive set of tools to weaken Russia’s economy while extending sanctions on Iran — a key military partner of the Kremlin that has also attacked U.S. troops in the Middle East.
“Putin should be under no illusion: the longer he continues his illegal war, the higher the cost he will face. We thank President Trump for publicly backing this legislation. Ukraine’s many supporters across the country now expect Congress to finish the job and make this bill law,” said Daniel Balson.
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Razom for Ukraine is a U.S. nonprofit providing medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and a leading advocate for continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine. For more information or to request an interview, please contact: Ostap Yarysh, Media Advisor at Razom for Ukraine ostap.yarysh@razom.org
