Razom commends President Trump’s support for Ukraine victory

Published: September 23, 2025

RAZOM COMMENDS PRESIDENT TRUMP’S SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE VICTORY

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 23, 2025 — Razom for Ukraine commends President Trump for his leadership at the United Nations and his remarks affirming support for Ukraine’s victory over Russia’s faltering invasion.

“I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form… Why not? Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years,” wrote President Trump in a post on Truth Social. “Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act.”

“President Trump showed today that he knows Ukrainians are winners,” said Director of Advocacy for Razom for Ukraine Mykola Murskyj. “Military planners at the Pentagon are studying Ukraine’s miraculous victory in the Battle of the Black Sea, forcing Russia’s fleet to retreat from Crimea for the first time in over a century.”

“I hope we see President Trump double down by signing a U.S.-Ukraine drone partnership deal—Ukraine is literally writing the handbook on how to win a war with drones, and the United States can’t afford to miss out.”

“This is the kind of leadership that wins Nobel Peace Prizes. President Trump sent a clear signal to Vladimir Putin that any more raids into NATO airspace will result in Russian aircraft getting shot out of the sky, and he gave voice to the majority of Americans who want to see Ukraine win and Russia lose. Putin only respects strength, and that’s exactly what we saw from President Trump today.”

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For media inquiries please reach out to Julian Hayda (julian.hayda@razom.org or 773-505-4806). Razom (“Together” in Ukrainian) is a U.S. nonprofit providing medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and a leading advocate for continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine.

The ImpactUA Internship Program: Transforming Student Potential into Lasting Change for Ukraine

Published: September 15, 2025

The future of Ukraine is being built today – thanks to the energy of young people, their ideas, activity, and readiness to act. Young leaders are able to combine global experience with local needs, turning the initiative of a generation into a driving force for change. It is precisely this belief in youth proactivity that became the foundation of the ImpactUA program – a joint initiative of Razom for Ukraine and Brave Generation. Its goal is to engage students from leading U.S. universities, as well as Ukrainian students studying abroad, in actively contributing to real change in Ukraine – not as observers, but as creators.

For three weeks, program participants immersed themselves in the work of civil society organizations supporting communities affected by the war. They witnessed the daily resilience, ingenuity, and persistence of people keeping the country moving. The program gave students not only practical experience working with Ukrainian NGOs, but also a deeper understanding of the historical, cultural, and social context. Combining academic knowledge with lived experience created a solid foundation for international support of Ukrainian partners.

Participants in the program were carefully selected. Active, goal-driven students from top universities worldwide came to Ukraine, representing a range of academic disciplines. This added multidimensionality to the program and strengthened the synergy between international perspectives and local expertise. Impact UA became not only a platform for intercultural exchange, but also a hub for shaping a new generation of young leaders capable of working shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainian communities and creating lasting impact.

Preparation for the internship began even before the students arrived and became the first step of their experience. Online sessions provided opportunities for introductions, psychological support, and discussions of future challenges with leading experts. Marci Shore, a professor of history at Yale University, helped them dive into the cultural and historical context, while Phil Kaplan with Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs shared practical knowledge of international politics and the humanitarian field. Special attention was given to safety: protocols for air raid alarms, rules of conduct, and principles of personal security that allowed participants to feel confident and focus on learning and work.

After arriving in Lviv, students entered their first immersion environment – where the multifaceted reality of Ukraine began to reveal itself in all its complexity. The trip, organized by the program team, provided a safe and smooth entry into the new context.

The first days of the internship became an intensive educational experience, where Ukraine’s history, politics, and culture intertwined with personal stories and present realities. An unforgettable moment was meeting Dora Chomiak, co-founder and CEO of Razom for Ukraine. Her story inspired students to recognize their own ability to be creators of change. Subsequent lectures and excursions deepened this understanding: Yaroslav Hrytsak, a professor of Ukrainian history, illuminated complex historical processes; Myroslav Marynovych, Ukrainian educator, human rights activist, and former Soviet dissident, shared his experience in the dissident movement; Yurii Pidlisnyi, a professor of political science, explained the mechanisms of civil society. A later visit to the museum-memorial of victims of occupation regimes offered greater understanding of the struggle for freedom.

A particularly powerful impression was left by the Superhumans Center – a modern rehabilitation center for those injured by the war. There, students learned about approaches to prosthetics and witnessed the scale of social power in action.

The cultural program of integration days added an emotional dimension: an icon-painting workshop, a barbecue with folk music, conversations about traditions, cooking varenyky and making chocolate – all of this offered a chance to touch living Ukrainian culture and see its relevance today.

The knowledge and skills acquired in the first days became a strong foundation for individual internships in NGOs, matched to each student’s interests. It was an opportunity to try themselves in different roles – from journalism and working with veterans to IT, fundraising, or managing social media.

For many, this became a defining moment in their professional lives. “My internship confirmed: I want to become a psychologist,” shared Anastasiia Shulhan, who worked with the NGO Ridni. She attended a workshop for psychologists on complex topics related to children and foster families – and, for the first time, felt she was exactly where she belonged.

Many others had similar revelations. Evelina Benderska, who had previously studied trauma in an academic context, noted: “This experience deepened my academic and professional interests. Now I want to study even more deeply how trauma affects Ukrainian society.”

After the program ended, some participants stayed in Ukraine to immerse themselves further in the country’s life, while others continue supporting Ukraine from abroad. One student, Aiden Stretch, decided to spend the next year in Ukraine, working as a journalist and reporting on the war for the American audience.

Impact UA became more than an internship – it was a transformative experience. The program showed that rebuilding a country begins not only with global projects or government decisions, but with simple human connections. These ties allowed students to experience Ukraine not at a distance, but up close – and to become its voice in the world. As one participant, Kristofers Krumins, said:

“This experience reminded me of something very simple but incredibly important: politics, international relations, even war – it’s all about people. When you have personal contacts in Ukraine, when you hear their stories – your perception inevitably changes. Reading the morning news about drones and missiles feels very different when you know people who have to fall asleep under shelling every night.”

This project proved a simple but powerful truth: Ukraine is not only a country demonstrating resilience in war. It is a country actively creating its future. Here, a new generation of leaders from around the world is emerging – those who do not just observe, but act alongside Ukrainians, learning and changing the world together with us.

Voices That Endure: New Ukrainian Books for a World That Must Listen

Published: September 12, 2025

As Ukrainians fight for their freedom, they never stop speaking to the wider world—telling stories that carry grief and hope, rage and resilience, loss and love. This year, several powerful new books have been released in English, ensuring that Ukrainian voices are heard far beyond the battlefield. These works are not only literature; they are testaments of endurance, identity, and truth.

Artem Chapeye

Ordinary People Don’t Carry Machine Guns

Translator: Zenia H. Tompkins

Artem Chapaye, a journalist and novelist turned soldier, once embraced pacifism. In this book, he reckons with what happens when war is thrust upon “ordinary people.” His raw account challenges readers to consider the choices forced upon Ukrainians when survival itself is at stake.

Danielle Leavitt

By the Second Spring

Seven Lives and One Year of the War in Ukraine

Through seven deeply human portraits, Danielle Leavitt chronicles a year of war that reshaped lives forever. Her prose brings readers into kitchens, streets, and hospital rooms, revealing intimate moments that show not just suffering, but also endurance and unexpected tenderness in wartime.

Victoria Amelina

Looking at Women, Looking at War

Prose translated by Daisy Gibbons
Poetry translated by Uilleam Blacker

The final work of the late Victoria Amelina, one of Ukraine’s brightest literary voices, is both a witness account and an elegy. On the evening of June 27th, 2023, Amelina and three international writers stopped for dinner in the embattled Donetsk region. When a Russian cruise missile hit the restaurant, Amelina suffered grievous head injuries, and lost consciousness. She died on July 1st. She was thirty-seven. She left behind an incredible account of the ravages of war and the cost of resistance. Honest, intimate, and wry, this book will be celebrated as a classic.

THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING winner

Olia Hercules

Strong Roots

This is an ode to the land, to ideas of home and belonging, and to family stories and recipes passed down the generations – the tang of sour cherries, the best way to make borsch. It is an account of resilience in the hardest of circumstances. Strong Roots brims with hope and grief. It lays bare the compromises and betrayals of generations struggling and surviving through war, peace, invasion and exile. It is an uplifting reminder of how much the human spirit can endure when born from a land rich with strong roots.

To meet Olian Hercules and two more Ukrainian writers as they explore what it means to live with, remember, and resist occupation, join us on October 24 at an event that is part of Razom’s Ukrainian Cultural Festival. Secure your tickets here.

Women and War

Letters from Ukraine to the Free World

Edited and translated by Aurélie Bros

How would you communicate the realities of living in a warzone to someone who has never had this experience? Thirty Ukrainian women, ages 10 to 72, answered this question in letters that emanate power, depth, pain, strength, and resilience. These fragments of life reveal the horrors of conflict but also the humanity of survivors.

These books remind us that war is not only fought on the frontlines, but also in stories, memories, and the will to speak truth to the world.

Look for some of these authors during Razom’s Ukrainian Cultural Festival in October – and most of all, seek out their books. By reading them, you honor their courage, carry their voices forward, and ensure that Ukraine’s story is never silenced.

Bringing Checkpoint Zoo to Your Community: A Story of Courage, Compassion, and Ukraine’s Resilience

Published: September 10, 2025

When Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, the world watched in horror as cities came under relentless fire. But few knew of the quiet heroism unfolding just outside Kharkiv, where the Feldman Ecopark Zoo sat between advancing Russian forces and the Ukrainian defenders. More than 5,000 animals were trapped in the crossfire – helpless, frightened, and in desperate need of rescue.

Against impossible odds, a small team of zookeepers and volunteers risked their lives day after day to save these creatures. Their daring mission is now immortalized in Checkpoint Zoo, an award-winning documentary directed by Joshua Zeman, supported by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson, and praised as “beautiful and beyond moving” by CNN.

This is not just a story about animals. It is about humanity, resilience, and the Ukrainian spirit of defying destruction with compassion and courage.

From Tribeca to Your Hometown

Checkpoint Zoo made its World Premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, where it earned the coveted Audience Award. Since then, it has been celebrated at festivals across the country, winning honors such as the Zelda Penzel “Giving Voice to the Voiceless” Award at the Hampton International Film Festival and the Audience Choice Award at Mill Valley. The film has also been screened in the halls of Congress and at human rights hearings, underscoring its power to inspire not just audiences but policymakers.

In 2024, Razom Cinema and the American Coalition for Ukraine co-hosted a special screening of Checkpoint Zoo, pairing the film with a moving conversation between director Joshua Zeman and Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Carol Guzy, who was on the ground documenting the rescues. For everyone present, it was more than a screening – it was a call to action.

Now, it’s your turn to bring this extraordinary story to your own community.

Why Organize a Screening?

Hosting a screening of Checkpoint Zoo with GATHR is more than an event. It’s a chance to:

Educate your community about Ukraine’s ongoing struggle for survival and freedom.
Inspire audiences with a story of selfless courage and resilience.
Mobilize support for Ukraine by connecting new audiences to Razom and other organizations providing humanitarian aid, medical training, and advocacy.
Engage in meaningful dialogue, with opportunities for Q&A sessions, panel discussions, or cultural programming alongside the film.

Every screening becomes a platform for solidarity and action.

How GATHR Makes It Easy

Thanks to the GATHR platform, anyone – individuals, schools, community groups, or cultural organizations – can bring the film to a local theater or venue.

Here’s how it works:

Sign up on GATHR – Choose Checkpoint Zoo and request a screening in your area.
Pick a Date and Venue – GATHR handles theater bookings or supports community/partner venues.
Spread the Word – Share your event link with friends, colleagues, and local networks. GATHR provides customizable landing pages, embeddable ticketing, and even “Pay It Forward” tickets that let others attend for free.
Reach Critical Mass – Screenings are confirmed once a minimum number of tickets are reserved, ensuring no financial risk for organizers.
Host and Inspire – On the big day, your community gathers for a film that stirs hearts and sparks action.

GATHR’s model has powered documentaries like RBG and Free Solo, making films into movements. Now, it’s your chance to do the same for Ukraine.

Take Action Today

The animals of Feldman Ecopark survived because ordinary people refused to stand by. Checkpoint Zoo reminds us that even in the darkest moments, acts of courage and compassion matter. By bringing this film to your community, you become part of that story – helping ensure the world does not forget Ukraine’s struggle for freedom and dignity. Here is a Razom fundraising toolkit in case you’d like to go further and fundraise for Ukraine.

👉 Ready to host a screening? Visit GATHR’s Checkpoint Zoo page and take the first step. Together, let’s turn powerful storytelling into powerful action. Razom—together—we can make a difference.

Razom for Ukraine Presents the Third Annual Ukrainian Cultural Festival “Against the Grain”

Published: September 8, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Razom for Ukraine Presents the Third Annual Ukrainian Cultural Festival “Against the Grain”: A Month-Long Celebration of Art, Theater, Film, and Literature in New York City

Discover how Ukrainian artists defy convention and forge new cultural paths with bold, boundary-pushing creativity. Tradition remixed. Vision uncompromized.

Highlights Include:
Theater: NYC debut of Lesia Ukrainka’s groundbreaking drama “Cassandra”
Film: Vibrant showcase featuring U Are the Universe, Viktor, and 2000 Meters to Andriivka, alongside short film selections from the Kyiv International Short Film Festival (KISFF) and Linoleum Contemporary Animation and Media Art Festival
Visual Art: Defiant aesthetics partnering with The Ukrainian Museum to support two exhibitions: Boris Mikhailov, showcasing the work of one of Ukraine’s most acclaimed photographers, and Light on the Waves: Video Art of Odesa by Andrii Siguntsov
Literature: Spotlight on innovative works by Booker Prize–nominated Maria Reva, Oksana Lutsyshyna, Olia Hercules, Volodymyr Rafeyenko, Sam Wachman and more

(New York, NY – September 5, 2025) – This October, Razom for Ukraine announces the return of its acclaimed Ukrainian Cultural Festival, now expanded into a month-long citywide celebration with the theme Against the Grain. From October 1 to 31, audiences will experience daily events spanning theater, film, literature, and visual art, spotlighting the fearless creativity of Ukrainian artists who defy convention and reshape global culture.

In just two years, the Ukrainian Cultural Festival has become a vital fixture of New York City’s fall arts calendar. For 2025, Razom deepens its commitment with an unprecedented 31 days of programming across leading cultural venues. Against the Grain’s goal is to highlight how Ukrainian artists, through defiance, resilience, and innovation, create works that challenge assumptions and expand the boundaries of contemporary art.

Performing Arts – Spotlight on Lesia Ukrainka’s Cassandra
At the heart of the festival is Razom’s first-ever theatrical co-production with Ekletika Productions: Lesia Ukrainka’s Cassandra. This visionary play, never before staged in the U.S., will run for ten performances (October 10-19) during the month. Ukrainka’s epic reimagining of the Trojan War, through the eyes of Cassandra, a prophetess doomed never to be believed, resonates with striking relevance today. The production underscores the festival’s theme, as Ukrainka herself was a writer who went against the grain, challenging imperial and patriarchal narratives and affirming Ukrainian identity through literature and drama.

The festival also showcases Razom’s commitment to the performing arts with music, poetry, and additional theatrical works. A Romantic from Kharkiv is a piano recital and album release by Anna Shelest that channels both intimacy and resilience through music. Apocollapse! by Dean Temple brings audiences a staged reading of a provocative new play interrogating endings, survival, and rebirth. Our Life Behind Barbed Wire by Alex Averbuch with Olga Zaitseva-Herz, presented at the Shevchenko Scientific Society, is a musico-poetic experience blending words and sound to illuminate histories of displacement and memory. Together, these projects exemplify the festival’s mission of working against the grain by crossing disciplines and challenging form.

Film – A Bold Showcase of Ukrainian Films
Cinema lovers will encounter a striking cross-section of Ukrainian stories. Feature films include U Are the Universe, Viktor, 2000 Meters to Andriivka, My Dear Theo, and Editorial Office, alongside short film selections from the Kyiv International Short Film Festival (KISFF) and Linoleum Contemporary Animation and Media Art Festival. These screenings bring together urgent, poetic, and provocative voices in contemporary Ukrainian cinema.

Razom Cinema will also host Kyiv to LA with Asha Bukojemsky. Kyiv to LA is a cross-cultural initiative that invites Ukrainian artists, researchers, and art historians to participate in a Los Angeles-based residency and public program. UCF will host a one-night screening featuring four short films by Ukrainian artists Daryna Mamaisur, Oleksiy Radynski, Darya Tsymbalyuk, and the ruїns collective (Teta Tsybulnyk and Elias Parvulesco), who participated in the residency and explored the topics of environment, borders, and shared spaces.

Literature – Voices that Witness

From crossing lines of identity and queerness to bearing witness at a time of war and occupation, literature takes the center stage as an act of resistance and testimony with this year’s programming.

Lines We Cross: Translating Ukraine – An event at the Center for Fiction exploring the complexities of migration, queerness, and identity through fiction (Oksana Lutsyshyna and Sam Wachman.)
Voices of Occupation: Stories of Cultural Survival brings together writings from temporarily occupied regions of eastern and southern Ukraine, including Crimea. This event, held at the New York Public Library’s Stavros Niarchos Library, features Olia Hercules, Volodymyr Rafeyenko, and Natalia Shpylova-Saeed.
Poet as a Witness – at Poet’s House, featuring Ilya Kaminsky, Anna Malihon, Irina Vikirchak and Lesyk Panasiuk and others.
A Reading and Conversation with Ukrainian born Canadian author Maria Reva. In her Booker Prize–nominated novel Endling, Maria Reva explores the metaphor of the “endling” — the last of a species — to examine war, loss, and resilience.

Visual Art – Defiant Aesthetics
In addition to partnering with The Ukrainian Museum, this year’s festival includes an incredible lineup of visual artists across multiple mediums: Memory Patterns by Anna Seniuk, DIA/spora by Igor Martiniouk, I dream of seeing the steppe again by Darya Tsymbalyuk, What the Water Told Me by Oleksandra Zborovska, and Yurko Gutsulyak’s striking Blue-Yellow Series.

Against the Grain

The 2025 festival marks a turning point: what began as a two-week initiative has now grown into a full month of daily events, cementing its place as a platform for cultural exchange and creative resistance. “Against the Grain reflects the spirit of Ukrainian artists today,” says Dora Chomiak, CEO of Razom for Ukraine. “They are responding to war, displacement, and trauma through boldly reshaping tradition, transforming vulnerability into power, and ensuring their voices are in the global conversation.”

Festival Information
Against the Grain: Ukrainian Cultural Festival 2025
Presented by Razom for Ukraine
October 1–31, 2025 | New York City
Full calendar and tickets: www.razomforukraine.org/ucf2025/

Press Contact:
Olga Samofalova
Press Lead, Ukrainian Cultural Festival
olga.samofalova@gmail.com

Building a new career thread by thread: Svitlana Rohozyan’s path from oil to needle

Published: September 4, 2025

“I was about to become an engineer,” says Svitlana Rohozyan, 51, a woman from Lysychansk, Luhansk Oblast. She used to work at the local oil refinery and was getting ready for a promotion. She was raising the child she had long prayed for. “Life began to get back on track,” she said. However, the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine changed it all. Part of the Luhansk Oblast was occupied back in 2014, so Rohozyan’s hometown authorities and volunteers immediately began evacuating people, knowing that Russian attacks would escalate.

The Rohozyan family relocated to their farmhouse, not too far from Lysychansk, thinking it would be safer there. “Still holding on to hope that everything will be okay—I planted parsley, carrots, beets, and dill. My child loves those very much,” the woman said. However, severe explosions were getting closer, and she decided to flee.

In mid-April 2022, Rohozyan took her 6-year-old son, Yaroslav, and boarded the cramped evacuation train to Lviv, after getting to the station by bus—all while Russians were shelling the area. The family escaped before the missile damaged their apartment in Lysychansk, and the city was completely occupied in July 2022.

“The only thing I regret is that the icon [holy image] we used for our child’s baptism—I didn’t take it with me. That’s what I regret the most. That little icon stayed behind. You know, I looked at it and left it there, thinking it would protect the house,” Rohozyan said.

Starting from scratch in Lviv was tough. They settled in a dormitory and had to fit in a tiny room with only two beds, together with another family, surviving on internally displaced persons (IDPs) financial aid. Her chemical engineering background became useless, as there were no such businesses nearby. There were some customer service job openings in the area, but Rohozyan could not leave Yaroslav alone.

One day, Rohozyan saw an announcement on Facebook about the School of Sewing Arts, hosted by the West Ukrainian Fashion Industry Cluster (WUFIC) and sponsored by Razom.

“Sewing was my hobby. I used to hem costumes for my son. I also made a lot of clothing for myself. But I understood that I had little knowledge,” she said. She was excited to join the course, but evening sessions didn’t work well with her son’s schedule. Later, she received a call saying a daytime group had been formed and asking if she wanted to join. “I joined with such joy! I was waiting for this,” she recalls.

The School of Sewing Arts’ goal is to teach IDPs tailoring skills, provide graduates with job placement support, and promote growth within the field. It is being implemented in two cities—Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk. 84 women have already graduated from sewing courses.

Every cohort of future seamstresses is trained for three months. “We sewed skirts, pants, and tops. I sewed myself the skorts I wanted so much,” Rohozyan said. She shared that her favorite part was learning the technology of measuring and cutting out fabric.

“The most interesting is the technique of making those patterns. It’s really fascinating. At first, you don’t understand where the line goes or what it leads to, and then suddenly, you already have a pair of pants,” Rohozyan said.

Rohozyan described her experience during the course as “fun and amazing,” saying she felt like part of a family with the other students and teachers. The group had two instructors—a garment technician and a tailor. “One teaches us how to make patterns, and the other teaches us how to sew on the machine. First, we learn to make the pattern, then we transfer it from paper to fabric [and sew],” Rohozyan explained. “I’m grateful that they [WUFIC, supported by Razom] provided us with fabric, and we didn’t have to run around looking for any.”

The project inspired Rohozyan to seek opportunities to expand her knowledge in the craft. Together with the women she met at the sewing school, she started spending her Saturdays at her former instructor, garment technician Viktoria Karpova’s place, striving to learn more advanced techniques.

After the project, “a job found me on its own,” Rohozyan said. Karpova was looking for women to work at her sewing business, which she relocated from the currently besieged city of Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, to Lviv. Rohozyan accepted the offer and now works part-time for KVK Pokrovchanka.

“I gained knowledge. I now have a job that I enjoy. I like the products we sew, and if you like the products, you like the work that goes into making them. It [apparel] is beautiful, high-quality, and well-made, and you realize that your hands helped create it,” Rohozyan said.

Rohozyan dreams of starting her own business. When she joined the sewing courses, she had a clear goal in mind—to learn the craft and eventually open a clothing repair shop. For now, she hopes to begin with something small. “I want my own home sewing machine—not a professional one, but a modern one,” she said. Rohozyan added that even a basic machine at home would allow her to get started and earn some income. At the moment, she works on an old treadle machine, which can’t compete with electric models, but as she laughed, “it’s great when there’s no electricity.”

“I truly want peace, so that my child is no longer afraid of the sounds of explosions,” Rohozyan said. She recalls her son imitating missile and drone sounds, which he should never have heard. “I don’t want children to know that kind of fear—the fear of losing everything,” she continued. “Yes, you’ve saved your life and your child’s life, but everything you’ve worked for your whole life—it’s all gone.”

8-year-old Yaroslav now studies at a local school, plays fortepiano, and attends drone construction courses. Rohozyan’s husband is fighting for Ukraine.

Rohozyan believes that Ukraine’s prosperity is deeply tied to the well-being of its people. With so many IDPs having lost their jobs, reskilling initiatives like Razom Jobs are key to driving change. “If Ukraine prospers, so will its people. If everyone gets a job, the country will become wealthy. If everyone is willing to work and to earn money, then the country will have money, too,” she said.

Thanks to your support, Razom is able to provide avid learners like Rohozyan with opportunities to gain skills and thrive in a new, exciting field on a professional level.

Razom Recommends September 2025

Published: August 28, 2025

Late August and early September mark the time of returning to school, with families preparing supplies and settling back into school time routines. In Ukraine September 1 is known as the Day of Knowledge – it is usually the day classes start and celebrations are held in schools across the country to mark the beginning of the academic year. But you do not have to go back to school to engage in learning – the events below provide ample opportunities to explore culture, traditions, and the arts. Whether through photography, architecture, sculpture, fashion, or film – you have a chance to explore the rich facets of Ukrainian creativity and resilience.

P.S. Don’t miss an important save the date at the end!

3 September 2025| NYC

An Evening with Vladimir Kanevsky and Xavier Salomon

An exceptional evening with renowned porcelain artist Vladimir Kanevsky in conversation with Xavier F. Salomon, Deputy Director and Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator of The Frick Collection. Together they will explore Mr. Kanevsky’s Ukrainian roots, his exquisite porcelain flowers, and the remarkable installation now on view at the newly reopened Frick. The evening will include a Q&A, book signing, reception, and a special auction of a one-of-a-kind piece created by the artist to benefit Ukrainians affected by the war.

🔗https://ukrainianinstitute.org/event/an-evening-with-kanevsky-and-salomon/

2 May – 3 September 2025| Chicago, IL

Constructing Hope: Ukraine

The exhibit presents the work of over a dozen participants currently applying architectural thinking to support Ukraine’s short- and long-term reconstruction efforts. In the face of Russia’s unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine—a war that has destroyed and existentially threatened Ukrainians’ lives, ecology, culture, and infrastructure—these multidisciplinary creatives regain agency over their environment by employing architectural strategies and practices as a form of resistance.

🔗https://www.centerforarchitecture.org/exhibitions/constructing-hope-ukraine/

13 September – 18 January 2025| NYC

Boris Mikhailov Photography

The Ukrainian Museum will proudly host the first major museum exhibition of Boris Mikhailov’s photography in New York. Revered as the most celebrated living Ukrainian artist, Mikhailov invites viewers into the complex tapestry of post-Soviet life, confronting the juxtaposition of vulnerability and resilience. Among the exhibited masterpieces are selections from the acclaimed “Yesterday’s Sandwich” and “Parliament” series.

🔗https://www.theukrainianmuseum.org/boris-mikhailov/

14 September 2025| 1 PM| Los Angeles, CA

Ukrainian Fashion Show

An evening of powerful and elegant Ukrainian fashion and a charity fundraiser dedicated to supporting humanitarian aid efforts for the people of Ukraine affected by war. This unique event brings the heart of Ukraine to the United States through fashion, history, art and traditions. The showcase will present a breathtaking blend of traditional Ukrainian style and modern design celebrating the beauty and resilience of Ukrainian culture. With special guests Roksolana Bogutska and Mariya Mulyava.

🔗https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ukrainian-fashion-show-los-angeles-ca-tickets-1343401864139

16-21 September 2025| NYC

When the Hurlyburly’s Done

The Public Theater welcomes Kyiv’s Theater on Podil for a limited run of When the Hurlyburly’s Done – a play centered on a group of young actors led by Les Kurbas in 1920 who leave war-torn Kyiv and perform plays in exchange for food. The opening night will feature a post-play talk with the founder of the Borsch of Art and the playwright and actors from Theater on Podil. They will discuss the vital role of women in cultural diplomacy, the presentation of Ukrainian identity abroad, and the importance of building cultural bridges between the U.S. and Ukraine.

🔗https://publictheater.org/productions/season/2526/when-the-hurlyburlys-done-yak-stikhne-shuru-burya-zla/

28 September 2025| 12 PM| Houston, TX

Slavic Heritage Festival

The festival will feature traditional music and dancing, including a professional band. Attendees will enjoy numerous craft vendors, delicious Slavic food, pastries, and beer. The famous kolache eating contest is not to miss as well. There will be a crafting corner to keep the kids busy while parents explore the festival.

🔗https://houstonslavicheritagefestival.com/

5-29 September 2025| CA, PA, TX, AZ, NY, VA

Checkpoint Zoo Screenings in partnership with Razom

Checkpoint Zoo documents a daring rescue led by a heroic team of zookeepers and volunteers, who risked their lives to save thousands of animals trapped in a zoo behind enemy lines during the initial days of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. Drawing from first-hand footage, Award-winning filmmaker Joshua Zeman’s Checkpoint Zoo showcases a story of human compassion, bravery, and sacrifice during Ukraine’s darkest hours -shining a light on the best of humanity when it is all too easy to focus on the worst.Presented in various cities across California in partnership with Razom.

🔗https://checkpointzoo.com/screenings/

6 September 2025| 6:30 PM| San Francisco, CA

Match in a Haystack Screening in partnership with Razom

Match in a Haystack follows a group of Ukrainian dancers in Kyiv as they prepare for a performance against the backdrop of the Russian invasion. The film is directed by Joe Hill, a five-time Emmy Award–winning director and cinematographer best known for his work with the VICE News International Team, edited by Arielle Sherman, executive production by Misty Copeland and movement direction by Stefanie Noll.

🔗https://roxie.com/film/match-in-a-haystack/

18-21 September 2025| IL, MI, PA, WA, VA, NY

MALEVYCH Screenings

A whirlwind of passion, defiance, and genius unfolds in the life of Kazymyr Malevych — the world-renowned Ukrainian artist who dares to challenge the Soviet regime for the right to create “free” art. For his rivals, his works are a fraud; for the Soviet authorities — a secret code; for one woman — a confession of love; and for the people of Ukraine — a prophecy. MALEVYCH is not a conventional historical biopic, but a bold, symbolic portrait of Ukraine — seen through the prism of a man whose art refused to bow to power.

🔗https://www.uafilmusa.com/malevych

13 September – 5 December 2025| Various locations on the East Coast

Vira + Friends Fall Concert Series

In the coming months Vira + Friends will be up and down the East Coast with all new and signature programs: Ukrainian Music Initiative, songs and stories of people finding their way, songs by women composers past and present, and others. Enjoy Vira Slywotzky’s beautiful contralto paired with pianists Pavlo Gintov, David Sytkowski, and Ana Glig, as well as cellist Valeriya Sholokhova and the Hudson Festival Orchestra.

🔗https://www.viraandfriends.org/

A LOOK AHEAD: SAVE THE DATE

1-31 October 2025| NYC

Ukrainian Cultural Festival

This October, Razom for Ukraine announces the return of its acclaimed Ukrainian Cultural Festival, now expanded into a month-long citywide celebration with the theme Against the Grain. From October 1 to 31, audiences will experience daily events spanning theater, film, literature, and visual art, spotlighting the fearless creativity of Ukrainian artists who defy convention and reshape global culture. Keep an eye on the Festival’s Instagram page and the web page below.

🔗ucfnyc.org

Supporting Ukraine’s Mental Health for Resilience and Victory

Published: August 26, 2025

The psychological toll of war on Ukrainians is staggering. According to the World Health Organization, 68% of Ukrainians report a decline in their overall health since the full‑scale invasion, with 46% specifically citing mental health concerns—making psychological distress the most prevalent impact of the conflict. Others estimate that 9.6 million Ukrainians are currently at risk of or living with mental health issues, including 3.9 million experiencing moderate to severe symptoms. Moreover, around 80% of citizens live under chronic stress and anxiety, carrying an ever‑present psychological burden. These numbers are not mere statistics – they are real people: mothers coping with trauma, children whose innocence has been stolen, veterans wrestling with nightmares, and families who confront loss every day. Addressing these deep-seated wounds is both a humanitarian and a strategic imperative, as a resilient nation is built not just by battalions, but by healed hearts and minds.

A New Beacon of Hope in Khmelnytskyi: “RAZOM with You”

Amid the chaos, a hopeful light has emerged in Khmelnytskyi. The newly opened psychological support space “RAZOM with You” symbolizes resilience, compassion, and unity. For three years, this initiative has been championing the mental health of Ukrainians impacted by war – offering a lifeline to those grappling with loss, trauma, burnout, and emotional crisis. The new center also serves as the local pillar of the Razom for Ukraine charitable foundation – creating a warm, safe refuge where individuals can find understanding and solace.

The opening ceremony was a testament to communal solidarity. Deputy Mayor Mykhailo Kryvak, Inna Pikalo from the veterans’ policy department, and a representative from the Ombudsperson’s office – among others – joined to celebrate the center’s new chapter.

Their presence reflected both civic recognition and commitment to collective healing. Words of hope were also shared by two remarkable figures: psychologist and war veteran Pavlo Molchaniuk, recently joined to support others through shared experience, and former border guard and veteran Igor Korsun, whose journey through captivity and healing underscores the profound need for psychological solidarity.

Expanding Reach: From Rooms to Regions

Since 2022, RAZOM with You has grown into a robust psychosocial network – providing both individual therapy and group sessions tailored to communities, military families, internally displaced persons, youth, veterans, and social service professionals.

Project Lead Iryna Gudyma stresses the unique strength of their multidisciplinary team: “The expertise of the “RAZOM with You” team makes it a reliable partner for government initiatives in the field of mental health. Half of our psychologists combine practical work with academic research, which allows us to test newly developed programs and have them approved by university academic councils. Currently, a rehabilitation program for people with experiences of captivity and torture is being piloted, and a training program is being launched for specialists working with military personnel and veterans.” The center’s offerings – psychoeducational workshops, support groups, training programs, webinars – now stretch across Khmelnytskyi region, empowering communities with tools to rebuild mental resilience.

Tetiana Kril, Head of Mental Health for RAZOM with You, shares what sets their team apart: “These are not just psychologists. They are people whose lives have been shaped by war – military spouses, defenders themselves, volunteers. Their professionalism is informed by personal courage and the peer-to-peer support they provide.” The team’s impact extends into civic structures, with psychologists Nataliia Durdas and Tetiana Kril serving on the advisory council for veterans’ rights and the project entering into a memorandum with the regional council to expand accessible, high-quality mental health systems across the region.

Why Your Support Matters

This is the story of a community rising from trauma – of spaces transformed by empathy, expertise, and shared purpose. But projects like RAZOM with You hinge on ongoing support. Each donation, each shared story, each volunteer hour fuels outreach, innovation, and healing.

How You Can Help:

Donate to Razom for Ukraine to empower mental health services and expand these life‑saving programs.
Raise awareness – sharing stories like this creates momentum and mobilizes more support.
Advocate for mental health to be a core component of Ukraine’s national resiliency strategy.

Ukraine’s victory will be won on many fronts – not least of all psychological. Strong minds and compassionate hearts are as vital as any defense. By supporting RAZOM with You, you’re not just aiding recovery – you’re investing in Ukraine’s strength, dignity, and future.

Together in Healing: Co-Pilot Project Expands Training and Partnerships for Ukrainian Medical Professionals

Published: August 22, 2025

When Ukraine’s defenders are wounded on the battlefield, every second counts. Survival depends not only on courage but also on skill, knowledge, and the ability of medical professionals to deliver care under extreme pressure. That is why Razom’s Co-Pilot Project under the Razom Health program is so critical – it equips Ukrainian doctors, surgeons, and instructors with world-class training and connections that directly save lives.

This summer has been a season of impact and growth for the Co-Pilot Project. From presenting Ukrainian innovations at one of the largest U.S. military health conferences, to hands-on training in leading American hospitals, to building the next wave of international partnerships, the message is clear: Ukraine’s medical leaders are not only learning -they are also teaching the world.

Ukrainian Voices on the Global Stage

In early August, Razom supported three Ukrainian medical professionals whose research was accepted at the Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS).

Dr. Oksana Popova, surgeon, ultrasound specialist, and Director of ELLING Training Center, presented her work on advancing emergency ultrasound including FAST-U and TRIDENT protocols.
Dr. Oleksandr Raboshchuk, anesthesiologist and lecturer at the Ukrainian Military Medical Academy, shared outcomes of Ukraine’s groundbreaking methodology in treating hypovolemic arrest.
Dr. Kateryna Maslyak, TacMed instructor and anesthesiologist from Kharkiv, highlighted the critical role of lyophilized plasma in managing hemorrhagic shock during large-scale combat operations.

These presentations marked more than academic milestones—they were powerful reminders that Ukraine is contributing to global knowledge in trauma care. U.S. and European doctors, military leaders, and researchers left inspired by Ukraine’s resilience and ingenuity.

And the knowledge exchange went both ways – Dr. Raboschuk shared that he gained a great deal from the conference and during his observership at the University of Florida: “During MHSRS, I learned about advanced issues in military healthcare, including strategies to overcome antimicrobial resistance and modern approaches to resuscitation of patients with hemorrhagic shock. I participated in the Bootcamp for Anesthesia Fellowship. The main takeaway was the importance of simulation-based training and practicing different clinical scenarios. This approach would be highly applicable and valuable to implement in Ukraine. I also participated in Ground Rounds in the General ICU and Orthopedic Department, where I gained an understanding of the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in solving clinical tasks.”

Building Partnerships for Long-Term Impact

Beyond the conference stage, Razom facilitated vital meetings with high ranking leaders from the US and Europe. One Ukrainian delegate joked that they could “fill a binder with Razom business cards,” underscoring just how deeply our teams are embedded in Ukraine’s health and defense ecosystems. Every card represents a project, a training, or a life touched through Razom’s collaborative work – and that is why the project team has no intentions of slowing down. They are actively planning to further develop partnerships that will benefit Ukraine.

Learning Shoulder-to-Shoulder in U.S. Hospitals

Conferences are just one part of the journey. The heart of the Co-Pilot Project is immersive observerships in U.S. hospitals. In August alone:

At the University of Florida, Dr. Raboshchuk trained in advanced resuscitation methods and anesthesia, while Dr. Popova prepared her ultrasound data for international publication.
At the University of North Carolina, Dr. Popova exchanged insights with colleagues on the TRIDENT protocol and recorded an episode for the Prolonged Field Care podcast, amplifying Ukrainian expertise globally. Make sure to check the podcast page in the next few weeks to catch the recording of the episode.

In Ohio, Dr. Ilya Petrenko began a three-week oculoplastics observership with Dr. Raymond Cho, continuing a collaboration that grew from years of joint surgical missions in Ivano-Frankivsk.
At OU Health in Oklahoma, eight Ukrainian surgeons—including military doctors from frontline regions—are training intensively in trauma, neurosurgery, orthopedics and facial plastics. Their schedule includes flap reconstruction courses, ATLS certification, and grand rounds lectures.

These experiences create ripple effects. When Ukrainian doctors return home, they bring not only new skills but also new teaching methods, curricula, and international networks that will strengthen Ukraine’s healthcare system for decades to come.

A Community of Support

None of this would be possible without the community that surrounds Razom. In Raleigh, North Carolina, Razom’s Public Engagement team hosted a dinner bringing together Dr. Popova with local leaders, state officials, and supporters. It was a vivid reminder that these efforts are not only about medicine—they are about solidarity, friendship, and building bridges of understanding.

Why It Matters

Every protocol refined, every skill mastered, and every partnership formed translates into lives saved on the battlefield and beyond. As Ukraine defends its freedom, the resilience of its medical community is a beacon of hope—not just for Ukrainians, but for all who believe in the power of human dignity and collaboration.

How You Can Help

The Co-Pilot Project is proof of what happens when we come together: Razom, our partners, and supporters like you. Your donations make it possible for Ukrainian doctors to train, present, and innovate at the highest levels. Together, we can ensure that those who sacrifice so much for Ukraine’s future have the best chance at survival and recovery.

Donate to Razom today and stand with us in building a healthier, stronger, and more resilient Ukraine.

Razom Welcomes Trump’s Readiness To Guarantee Ukrainian Security So Any Peace Deal Lasts

Published: August 18, 2025

RAZOM WELCOMES TRUMP’S READINESS TO GUARANTEE UKRAINIAN SECURITY SO ANY PEACE DEAL LASTS

Washington, D.C., August 18, 2025 — Today’s historic summit at the White House of European leaders and President Donald Trump reportedly resulted in a proposed $90 billion deal between the United States and Ukraine, steps towards security guarantees from the United States and Europe, and readiness for a trilateral meeting with the presidents of Ukraine, the United States, and Vladimir Putin.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed a historic deal with the United States, pledging to buy $90 billion worth of American weapons. The proposal would also strike a deal for the U.S. and Ukraine to produce the cutting-edge drones that Ukraine has used to protect Europe for the last 3.5 years from Russian aggression. This deal would be a huge win for President Trump and his mission to rebuild the American military—nobody knows drones like the Ukrainians.

“Any deal to end the war that abandons the tens of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia would be a bad deal,” said Dora Chomiak, CEO of Razom for Ukraine. “Ukraine cannot sacrifice its future. Ukraine is integral to the future of security for the United States and the rest of Europe. Ukraine’s future will be decided by Ukrainians.”

“By working with U.S. allies to guarantee Russia can’t restart the war, President Trump shows Peace Through Strength,” Chomiak said. “Ukrainians have called Putin’s escalation bluffs countless times and shown that Russian threats ring hollow. Russia has violated every agreement it made with Ukraine to respect its sovereignty and stop fighting. Russia lies. It will take iron-clad security guarantees to truly end this war.”

“President Trump’s readiness to include the United States in security guarantees for Ukraine is the crucial component to a real sustainable peace,” Chomiak said. “As President Trump convened today’s summit, Russia launched another massive bombardment of Ukrainians with dozens of suicide drones screeching towards families in their homes.”

Under U.S. law since 2017, it is illegal for the United States to recognize Russia’s false claims on occupied Ukrainian territory. (See §§ 253 and 257 of Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act).

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Razom (“Together” in Ukrainian) 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, ostap.yarysh@razom.org