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.
Please visit this page for more information about Razom’s Cars for Victory initiative. To apply for consideration, please fill in this form.
How can I donate?
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.
“Bring Kids Back”: 20,000 Teddy Bears Installed on National Mall to Highlight Russia’s Abduction of Ukrainian Children
Washington, D.C. — On Thursday, April 23, Razom for Ukraine installed a 230-foot-wide, 8-foot-tall fence on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., covered with 20,000 teddy bears. Each plush toy represents a Ukrainian child abducted by Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion.
The installation, titled “Bring Kids Back,” was created over five days (Friday through Tuesday) by more than 50 volunteers, with over 120 volunteers involved in total. The display featured white, brown, maroon, and red teddy bears. Maroon and red bears formed a message reading: “Putin abducted 20,000 Ukrainian children. Bring Kids Back.”
In addition to organizers Razom for Ukraine and its partner American Coalition for Ukraine, the installation was attended by Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S. Olha Stefanishyna, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX-10), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD-8), Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC-2), and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).
Because the return of abducted children is a sensitive issue and publicizing details may endanger ongoing rescue efforts, organizers used a symbolic approach to tell their stories.
“Because the return of stolen children is such a sensitive matter, and because publicizing details about children who remain missing can endanger rescue efforts, we searched for a symbolic way to tell their stories. That’s why we chose a teddy bear, a universal symbol of childhood. Each teddy bear represents one child abducted by Russia, and there are 20,000 of them behind me. These are the children that we know were stolen. But how many others are there? The real number of abducted children could be as high as 200,000 kids. And in that case, the installation would span from the Lincoln Memorial all the way to the Washington Monument,” — Katya Pavlevych, Advisor on Children’s Issues, Razom for Ukraine
“Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has already returned more than 2,000 kids. These 2,000 are living witnesses who say they were forced to forget their identity, their names, where they come from, and that they had families. They were forced to build a new identity. But I am absolutely confident that all Ukrainian children will come back.” — Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S.
“I met four teenagers who had been in captivity, taken from battlefields and towns that had been destroyed—kids who lost both parents. Somehow, they were able to get cell phones and call their grandmothers from inside Russia. People would cross enemy lines to bring those kids back. I will always go back to President Zelensky’s words on the first day of the invasion: ‘We are here.’ With this installation of 20,000 teddy bears, we say again: we are here.” — Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
“What Putin is doing to tens of thousands of children—more than 20,000—is a war crime. That is why I am working on a bipartisan bill in Congress to declare Vladimir Putin a war criminal if he does not return those children. I will take this teddy bear with me when I return to Ukraine in May for my 11th trip.
We need sanctions. We need military aid. We need economic assistance. America must do its part. And I call on the president: do your job. Stand for democracy. Stand with Ukraine.” — Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
“As a father of five, I cannot imagine my children being subjected to this kind of evil. This is why I introduced a resolution calling for any ceasefire agreement to include the return of abducted children. I also introduced bipartisan legislation calling for targeted sanctions on anyone dealing in Russian oil. We must make Russia pay for its crimes.”
“Putin’s plan goes far beyond Ukraine. They are preparing children for a war with NATO itself.” — Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX-10)
“To kidnap children in the middle of a military conflict is a blatant violation of human rights law and international humanitarian law. It is a war crime, and if done intentionally to destroy a people, it is evidence of genocide. We are calling on everyone of conscience across America and in the administration to take action today to bring Ukraine’s children home.” — Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD-8)
“The kidnapping of Ukrainian children by war criminal Putin is the same as the kidnapping of Polish children by Hitler. We must all work together to put an end to it.” — Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC-2)
“This is not a side effect of war. It is a deliberate strategy of cultural annihilation. The International Criminal Court has recognized it, the world has recognized it, and yet these children are still not home. Their return is non-negotiable.” — Marianna Tretiak, Chair, American Coalition for Ukraine
The installation is intended to travel to other U.S. cities and events, with additional requests already received from partner organizations.
Razom for Ukraine is a U.S. nonprofit providing medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and serving as a leading advocate for continued U.S. support for Ukraine. For additional information, please contact our media advisors: Kateryna Lisunova at kateryna.lisunova@razomforukraine.orgor +1 (347) 421-1755, or Ostap Yarysh at ostap.yarysh@razom.orgor +1 (202) 560-2282.
This spring, Lviv hosted the sixth Face to Face mission — a surgical program of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), implemented by Razom as part of the Co-Pilot project.
Over the course of seven days, a team of seven surgeons — Parag Gandhi, Grigoriy Mashkevich, Augustine Moscatello, John Frodel, Ryan Daniel Winters, Ivanna Nebor, Boris Chernobilsky — alongside ten nurses, including Susan Ketigian, Viktoriya Ygreen, Yurij Tsuvanyk, Jamie Harold Orange, Emmett Joseph Harty Jr, Maribel Caraballo, Andrew Kostyaniuk and Tashina Morgenstern, worked at the Military Medical Clinical Center of the Western Region together with their Ukrainian colleagues. They operated on patients with some of the most complex facial injuries caused by the war.
The work began with consultations: in just one day, doctors examined 55 patients and selected 40 for surgery. Starting the next morning, operating rooms ran at full capacity from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For four consecutive days, the team carried out reconstructive procedures across three specialties — ophthalmology, otolaryngology, and maxillofacial surgery. These injuries affect not only physical function but also how patients see themselves — their identity, confidence, and place in the world.
Among the patients were both military personnel and civilians affected by the war. For many, this was not the first stage of treatment, but part of a long recovery process that can last months or even years.
One of the defining features of this mission was the integration of surgical care with on-site prosthetics. Two anaplastologists — Eduardo Arias and Benjamin Rosenberg, specialists in ocular and facial prosthetics — joined the team. Together, they set up a temporary laboratory to create custom ocular prostheses for patients undergoing surgery.
This approach fundamentally changed the care pathway: patients were able to receive their prosthesis immediately after surgery, without waiting for a separate stage of treatment. In cases of eye loss, this has not only medical but also profound psychological significance — allowing individuals to return more quickly to a familiar appearance and to social life.
Alongside surgical care, the team also addressed other dimensions of recovery. Pain management specialist Timothy Canty, who works with PTSD, joined the mission. He delivered lectures at the Superhumans Center, Lviv Psychiatric Hospital, and St. Panteleimon Hospital, as well as practical trainings for anesthesiologists, psychologists, and pain management specialists at the Lviv Military Hospital. This work is aimed not only at supporting patients but also at strengthening the capacity of Ukrainian medical teams to address the long-term consequences of trauma.
Knowledge transfer was another key component of the mission. Ukrainian doctors who had previously participated in missions, surgical trainings, conferences, and observerships in U.S. hospitals organized by Razom — as well as specialists from other Lviv hospitals — joined the procedures. They worked side by side with the international team in operating rooms, observing, assisting, and gaining experience they will continue to apply in their practice.
Dr. Parag Gandhi, an oculofacial plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience and a third-time participant in the mission, emphasized the importance of this collaboration:
“It is a great honor for me to work alongside Ukrainian colleagues, helping injured soldiers and civilians who have sacrificed so much for their families and their country. I truly believe that while one person cannot do everything, everyone can do something. And it is through knowledge exchange and collaboration that we make that contribution.”
The mission was made possible through the partnership between Razom for Ukraine and the AAFPRS Face to Face program, as well as collaboration with the Military Medical Clinical Center of the Western Region, the INgenius platform, and Healing the Children North East.
These missions are gradually reshaping the approach to treating complex facial injuries in Ukraine. It is not only about individual surgeries, but about building a comprehensive model in which surgery, prosthetics, pain management, and physician training are integrated into a single, continuous process of recovery.
The mission was made possible by the support of Razom for Ukraine’s donors, whose contributions enable the deployment of international medical teams, procurement of critical equipment, and on-the-ground coordination. This support makes it possible not only to carry out complex surgeries, but also to facilitate the exchange of expertise between Ukrainian and international physicians and expand access to advanced approaches in treating war-related injuries.
Pro-Ukraine Organization Puts Up Billboard in Brownsville Calling Out Rep. Gonzalez for Meeting with Russian War Criminals
Washington, D.C. —Razom for Ukraine, a U.S. non-profit organization that advocates for greater U.S. support for Ukraine, placed a Spanish-language billboard on the intersection of International Blvd and Van Buren Street in Brownsville, TX to call on Rep. Vicente Gonzalez to publicly explain his decision to meet Russian legislators on March 26. As the only member of the Democratic party present, he gave the illusion of bipartisan legitimacy to a meeting with members of Russia’s parliament who have championed the Kremlin’s war of aggression and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.
“We expect this from fringe radicals,” said Mykola Murskyj, Director of Advocacy at Razom for Ukraine, “but Representative Gonzalez’s presence did severe damage to Democratic solidarity for Ukraine and could be seen to legitimize a regime that has helped Iran kill U.S. soldiers in the Middle East. Fellow Democrats should be demanding answers from his office about his decision to shake hands with these war criminals.” With 77% of Americans supporting stronger sanctions on Russia to end its war in Ukraine, not détente, Rep. Gonzalez and the other representatives present have proven themselves to be out of step with U.S. public opinion.
“Anyone who says that it’s always appropriate to have a conversation with an adversary doesn’t understand Russia’s propaganda machine,” continued Murskyj. “This decision handed Russian operatives a propaganda victory by lending a veneer of bipartisanship to a meeting with officials tied to the war. The Russian legislators came to advance the Kremlin’s aims, including gathering intelligence. They did not come to engage in dialogue or pursue peace. Russia uses meetings like this to divide allies, weaken sanctions, and advance its war effort.”
Tens of millions of Americans who support Ukraine will continue to use all resources available to demand answers from Rep. Gonzalez and any other U.S. officials who legitimize Russia’s campaign of violence against Ukraine.
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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
Razom for Ukraine Presents Six Plays in English Translation, May 7–10
New York, NY — This May, New York City audiences will experience contemporary and classic Ukrainian theater through the first-ever Ukrainian Drama Showcase, presented by Razom for Ukraine. Taking place May 7–10, 2026 at Flamboyan Theater in the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the festival features six Ukrainian plays in English translation through dynamic staged readings. For those outside New York, the festival will be streamed live via HowlRound Theatre Commons for audiences around the world.
While Ukrainian literature and cinema have gained international recognition in recent years, Ukrainian theater remains largely absent from U.S. stages. The Showcase addresses that gap directly—bringing both canonical and contemporary Ukrainian playwrights to new audiences and inviting the U.S. theater community to engage with work that reflects the breadth of Ukrainian experience.
The program spans genres and eras: a dark comedy set in eastern Ukraine; a poetic monologue by the soldier “Raccoon,” accompanied by a relentless chorus; a 19th-century proto-feminist salon debating “pure love”; and a documentary-style theatrical collage exposing the gap between official narratives and lived reality.
The program features:
Long Plays (translations by Nina Murray):
• A Harvest Truce by Serhiy Zhadan
Directed by Danilo Gambini
• The Blue Rose by Lesia Ukrainka
Directed by Rory Pelsue
• The Order of Neatly Made Beds by Lena Lagushonkova
Directed by Jillian Jetton
Short Plays:
• Balance by Alina Sarnatska (translated by the author)
Directed by Dylan Zwickel
• The Chronicles of the Lost Soul by Anna Halas (translated by the author)
Directed by Lita Lofton
• New York, Donetsk, Ukraine: 100° F by Oleksandr Zhuhan (translated by John Freedman with Nataliia Bratus)
Directed by Yibin Wang
Poet and translator Murray has played a key role in bringing Ukrainian literature and drama into English. “The work of a translator can often be lonely,” Murray reflects. “To have these plays in the hands of directors and actors is a thrill and a privilege.”
One of the playwrights, Alina Sarnatska, will travel from Ukraine to attend the Showcase. Her play Balance brings her firsthand experience as a war medic directly to the New York City stage.
The Showcase’s directors include devised theater artist Jillian Jetton and Obie winners Rory Pelsue and Danilo Gambini. Each will bring a distinct directorial approach, activating the performance space while keeping the text at the center, bringing imaginative staging to these stories.
Festival Details:
Dates: May 7–10, 2026
Location: Flamboyan Theater, The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center, 107 Suffolk St, New York, NY
Streaming: Free global access via HowlRound Theatre Commons
About Razom for Ukraine:
Razom for Ukraine (which means “together” in Ukrainian) is a U.S.-based nonprofit founded in 2014 that works to build a secure, prosperous, and democratic Ukraine. The organization operates across program areas — including humanitarian aid, health, advocacy, and cultural initiatives — addressing both immediate needs and long-term recovery. Through Razom Connect, Razom for Ukraine positions culture as a vital part of its mission, alongside humanitarian aid and advocacy, demonstrating that cultural visibility is essential to global understanding and solidarity.
Organized by Razom for Ukraine in partnership with American Coalition for Ukraine.
Volunteer opportunities will be available April 18-23 throughout the day
Event Description
On April 23, 20,000 stuffed teddy bears will take over the National Mall — each one representing a Ukrainian child forcibly abducted by Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion.
The identities and faces of abducted children cannot be publicly displayed due to ongoing efforts to secure their return. The horrors of the crime, however, cannot remain invisible. This installation uses a universal symbol of childhood — the teddy bear — to illustrate the scale of the abductions in a powerful, visual way. It transforms that abstract number into something Americans can see, feel, and confront.
As diplomatic negotiations continue and global attention shifts elsewhere, the fate of Ukraine’s children must not be sidelined. The return of every child is non-negotiable. And the war is not over until Ukrainian children come back home.
The installation will be accompanied by a rally and press conference from 1–2 PM featuring lawmakers, faith leaders, advocates, and members of the Ukrainian American community. The display will remain in place until 4 PM for public viewing and media coverage.
Purpose
The event aims to:
• Urge the U.S. administration to prioritize the return of abducted Ukrainian children in all diplomatic engagements
• Reinforce bipartisan Congressional support for holding Russia to account
• Generate national media attention around an ongoing war crime
• Provide a visible, peaceful, and nonpartisan call to action
Core Messages:
• The war is not over until every Ukrainian child comes home.
• The United States must help bring Ukraine’s abducted children home.
• Ukraine’s children are not a bargaining chip.
Volunteer opportunities
It takes a village to raise a child – and the world to save one. To execute this ambitious project, we need the help of the community. Volunteer opportunities will be available throughout the week, including on the day of the event.
We need volunteers to put an installation together, load and unload pieces of the installation from the trucks, help with the installation on the site, drive the U-Hauls, marshal the rally, help clean up after the event and join the rally as a participant. If you are available on the day of the event – or before – sign up via the form and let us know your availability.
April is a month of action. As we mark Earth Month and Volunteer Month, we’re reminded that the health of our world and the strength of our communities depend on what we choose to do — and what we choose not to ignore.
This April, Razom Recommends highlights events that invite you to engage more deeply: to learn, to show up, and to take part in shaping what comes next. As Russia’s war continues to impact not only Ukraine but global security, the environment, and fundamental freedoms, staying informed and involved matters. Whether through culture, community, or advocacy, these events are an opportunity to turn awareness into action — and to stand with Ukraine in ways that are both meaningful and needed right now.
9 Apr| 6:00-8:00 PM| NYC
Reading Pidmohylnyi in a New Century. Politics, Urbanism, Gender
Valerian Pidmohylnyi’s 1928 novel has aged very well. It is still a wonderful exploration of the challenges facing a young Ukrainian village boy who comes to the city in the years immediately following the revolution that brought the communists to power in the former Russian empire. It is also a deeply philosophical exposition of the human condition that puts us all between the physical demands of the world around us and the cognitive imperative of reason. But a century later, the elements that make up Pidmohylnyi’s novel and argument are not universally perceived as they were then. This lecture will explore the then and now of understanding Stepan Radchenko.
The Ukrainian Music Initiative invites you to Introductions, an evening dedicated to elevating Ukrainian classical music and its place in the Western canon. Featuring acclaimed musicians — cellist Valeriya Sholokhova, pianists Pavlo Gintov and Margarita Rovenskaya, and contralto Vira Slywotzky — this concert brings together exceptional talent for a powerful and refined performance. Join us at All Souls NYC for a program that celebrates the richness and depth of Ukraine’s musical heritage.
Two and a half years after the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a group of Ukrainian artists and volunteers converge at Burning Man to create a larger-than-life art installation. Responding to a Facebook post, this group of mostly strangers soon becomes a family as they work together to build this massive sculpture in the empty plateau of the Black Rock Desert. Composed entirely of real road signs collected from de-occcupied Ukrainian territories – each one bearing the scars of war – the sign spells out the phrase “I’M FINE” in giant letters, a raw symbol of how people hide their pain behind words as life continues.
Book Launch: Mrs. Orwell by Andrea Chalupa in conversation with Nomiki Konst
Mrs. Orwell follows poet Eileen Blair and her husband, George Orwell, as they forge the professional and romantic partnership that will eventually bring us Animal Farm and NineteenEighty-Four. From a honeymoon fighting in the Spanish Civil War to narrow escapes from Stalin’s agents and the London Blitz, the Blairs’ campaign against fascism brings them face-to-face with some of the greatest threats of the 1930s. But while George struggles to make his voice heard despite political censorship, Eileen must fight to preserve her own voice within a marriage that threatens to consume her.
The Institute invites young members of the community for an evening of wine, conversation, and connection. The evening will begin with an interactive tasting of four wines from Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, New York’s most award-winning winery. Afterward, guests can stay for a relaxed opportunity to meet and connect. This event is open to UIA Members, Annual Friends, and guests ages 21–40. Space is limited, and advance registration is required.
The Ukraine Action Summit (UAS) is your opportunity to take part in one of the largest gatherings of Ukraine’s supporters in the United States. From expert-led panels to coordinated high-impact advocacy on Capitol Hill, the Summit provides powerful ways to engage, learn, and inspire action. Over the course of these transformative days, you’ll learn best practices for civic advocacy, connect with a nationwide community of Ukraine supporters, and ensure that when you speak out for Ukraine—your voice is heard in Washington, DC.
23 Apr| Washington, DC
UAS Companion Event: Abducted Ukrainian Children
Razom and American Coalition for Ukraine are partnering to raise awareness about the abducted children of Ukraine at this UAS, Spring 2026. The issue of abducted children has always been on our agenda, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep it relevant in the current news cycle. We are determined to get the abducted children of Ukraine the public attention they truly deserve. On Thursday, April 23, 2026, Razom and ACU plan to display 20,000 stuffed teddy bears – a symbol of children – at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This way, we aim to communicate the scale and seriousness of the crime to the media and decision-makers. This is an ambitious project, and we need your support to execute it: volunteers to help with the set-up, and participants to rally once the installation is done.
TAPESTRIES: Directed and Choreographed by Suzanne Ponomarenko
Tapestries is an evening-length dance theatre piece told through the curious narrative of the Unicorn Tapestries (1495–1505) and a queer reimagining of Ukrainian folklore. It consists of eight vignettes, each representing a different tapestry and folklore, threaded together to tell the tale of the Magical Unicorn. This hour-length performance unfolds through rigorous and quirky dance vocabulary abstracted from Ukrainian folk dance, ballet, post-modernism, and modern dance, alongside projections of newly imagined tapestries illustrated in a surrealist, dreamlike form by Emmy Castellani, a meticulously crafted, eclectic score by Katie-James Rushin, and costumed by visionary designer David Quinn. This piece was developed in part during a Baryshnikov Arts Residency.
A Razom Cinema grantee, VIKTOR, is being featured at the ReelAbilities Film Festival in New York — the leading festival spotlighting stories by and about people with disabilities. This powerful film follows Viktor, a Deaf man in Kharkiv, as he searches for purpose in the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion — navigating a war he cannot hear.
The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art invites you to an afternoon of learning and discussion as part of the UIUC Talk Series: Exploring Ukrainian Literature & History. This event features presentations by graduate student Joseph Mosse, who will share research on Ukrainian writer Natalena Koroleva, and Professor Valeria Sobol, introducing her course Kyiv: The Biography of the City. Together, these talks offer insight into Ukraine’s literary heritage and the historical and cultural evolution of Kyiv, from the medieval period to today.
The serene banks of the Dniester River, which flows through Ukraine and Moldova to the Black Sea, serve as a timeless sanctuary for a pacifist community living by candlelight and horse-drawn labour. This atmospheric documentary captures the archaic beauty of a life governed by nature rather than the clock, until the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine shatters its isolation. A profound spiritual friction occurs when centuries of pacifist faith meet the existential demands of a nation under fire. By juxtaposing the stillness of the farm with the heavy longing of soldiers at the front, Silent Flood shows that resistance takes many forms, some as quiet as a shared meal.
As the seasons change, our commitment cannot. We invite you to stay engaged, stay informed, and keep your attention on Ukraine — not only in moments of crisis, but in the ongoing work of resilience, culture, and rebuilding. Your continued interest, presence, and support matter more than ever.
During wartime, psychological support becomes just as essential as medical care. In the city of Dnipro, the “Razom z Toboyu” Psychological Center, run by Razom for Ukraine, offers free counseling sessions to those in need. The center supports soldiers, their families, and civilians who are going through difficult life situations.
Natalia, the center’s senior psychologist, has been working on the project since 2023. She says that for many people, access to free counseling can make all the difference.
“I always say a big thank you to those who support this project. Many of our clients simply cannot afford mental health care,” she explains.
According to Natalia, the war has dramatically increased the psychological strain people are living under.. Constant tension, air raid alarms, and everyday challenges build up over time.
“I see how exhausted and irritable people are now. And that’s natural—we are all living in extremely difficult conditions. That’s why psychological support is so important right now,” she says.
The center offers both individual consultations and group sessions where participants learn about emotional wellbeing and coping strategies.
“When people begin to understand what they are experiencing, things start to feel more manageable. They start to see how they can help themselves and support others,” Natalia adds.
A Soldier’s Story
Natalia recalls the story of a soldier who came to the center after being injured.
At first glance, his injury was barely noticeable, but he had serious difficulties with hand mobility. After returning to civilian life, he struggled to adapt.
“He came to me because he struggled to find his place in civilian life again. There was a lot of tension, conflicts at home, and his relationships with loved ones had deteriorated,” Natalia says.
At the center, clients can receive a series of six counseling sessions. The goal is to stabilize a person’s condition and help them take the first steps toward recovery.
“We worked on self-regulation techniques — ways he could calm himself and better understand his emotions. ” she explains.
Over time, things began to improve. His sleep got better, and there was less tension at home.
“He even brought his wife to one of the sessions. It’s very important when family members become part of the process,” Natalia adds.
After completing the six sessions, the man decided to continue therapy.
“When he first came, he felt that nothing would ever change. But little by little he saw that things could actually improve,” Natalia says.
The First Step Toward Change
According to Natalia, six counseling sessions cannot solve every problem , but they often become the starting point for meaningful change.
Sometimes clients return months later when they face a new challenge or simply need someone to talk to again.
“Sometimes people call and say, ‘Can we talk again?’ And we continue working together,” she says.
Often, helping one person opens the door for others to seek support as well.
“First one person comes, then they bring their spouse, their children, or friends. People share their experience, and that’s how others learn that support is available,” Natalia explains.
She believes that centers like this play an important role not only today, but also in the future.
“All of this is aimed at helping Ukraine remain as mentally resilient as possible.,” Natalia says.
Sometimes change begins with a simple step—the courage to come in and ask for help.
Hosting Russian Duma Officials in Washington Will Not Lead to Peace
Washington, D.C. —“Supporters of Ukraine unequivocally condemn the decision to invite Russian war criminals to Washington for meetings with American government officials,” said Razom’s Advocacy Director Mykola Murskyj, responding to news that a delegation of Russian State Duma representatives will travel to the United States to meet with members of Congress and the Executive branch.
“President Trump has said that he wants to stop the war and Ukrainians share that goal. But Russia’s invasion will end when one man – Vladimir Putin – decides it must. Poll after poll has shown that majorities of Americans support continued assistance to Ukraine. The White House should heed their view rather than host Kremlin functionaries for talks unlikely to yield results.”
“Ukrainians had a good look at Russia’s negotiating position earlier this week, when Russian Shahed drones slammed into a historic city center in Lviv, battering a Catholic church and maiming scores of civilians.”
“Russia’s legislature has no genuine opposition parties. It serves chiefly to ratify Putin’s wars and human rights abuses. In the lead-up to Russia’s full scale invasion, the Duma voted 351 to 16 to recognize sovereign Ukrainian territory as part of the Russian Federation.”
“The members of this delegation are currently prosecuting a war of aggression against a neighboring country and the stakes are clear: If they achieve their goals – on the battlefield or in the negotiating room – Ukrainians will lose their lives, their freedoms, and their sovereignty. If Russia’s ambitions are thwarted, Ukrainians will consolidate their democracy and continue their movement towards the West.”
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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
RAZOM AND UCFP ANNOUNCE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL UKRAINE POLICY FELLOWS
Release Date: March 23, 2026
Location: Washington, D.C.
Razom and the Ukrainian Community Foundation of Philadelphia (UCFP) are proud to announce the inaugural cohort of the Congressional Ukraine Policy Fellowship, a first-of-its-kind, year-long professional development program for mid-career professionals with deep expertise on Ukraine.
The Fellowship was created to give American professionals and academics with substantial knowledge of Ukraine a unique opportunity to develop as policy professionals through full-time work on Capitol Hill. Over the course of 12 months, fellows work in congressional offices, gaining experience in policy development, legislative drafting, oversight, and stakeholder engagement on issues related to Ukraine’s security, democratic resilience, and long-term recovery.
The inaugural fellows, Myroslava Gongadze and Michael Corcoran, were selected to serve in the offices of Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL), two of the four co-chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus and long-standing champions of Ukraine. These placements offer fellows the opportunity to learn within two of the strongest congressional offices working on Ukraine policy today while supporting bipartisan legislative engagement on issues central to the U.S.-Ukraine relationship.
“The Ukrainian Community Foundation of Philadelphia is proud to support a program that gives Ukraine experts in the United States an exceptional opportunity to grow professionally through direct service in Congress,” said Roman Petyk, Board Chair of the Ukrainian Community Foundation of Philadelphia. “Myroslava and Michael bring outstanding experience, judgment, and commitment to this work, and we are honored to invest in their development at such an important moment for both Ukraine and the United States.”
“This fellowship offers something rare: the chance for deeply knowledgeable Ukraine experts to gain first-hand experience in the legislative process at the highest level,” said Dora Chomiak, CEO of Razom for Ukraine. “By placing fellows in both Republican and Democratic offices led by two of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus’s co-chairs, we are helping build a stronger long-term bench of policy professionals.”
The Congressional Ukraine Policy Fellowship is designed not only to support the fellows during their year on Capitol Hill but also to cultivate a durable community of professionals with serious expertise in Ukraine and practical experience in American policymaking.
2025–2026 Congressional Ukraine Policy Fellows
Myroslava Gongadze – Office of Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R‑PA)
Myroslava Gongadze is a journalist and foreign policy expert specializing in Ukraine, Eastern Europe, and European Security. With more than two decades of experience reporting on democratic movements, Russian aggression, and regional security dynamics, she has contributed analysis and insight on Russia’s war against Ukraine and its implications for the transatlantic alliance. Most recently, she served as Voice of America’s Eastern Europe Chief. Gongadze has worked with policymakers, experts, and civil society leaders across Europe and the United States to advance discussions on democratic resilience, security cooperation, and Ukraine’s integration with Euro-Atlantic institutions. In Rep. Fitzpatrick’s office, she contributes her regional expertise while gaining direct experience with the legislative process shaping U.S. policy toward Ukraine and European security.
Michael R. Corcoran – Office of Rep. Mike Quigley (D‑IL)
Michael Corcoran is a national security professional with more than a decade of experience shaping U.S. foreign policy and international development. He has served across multiple federal agencies—including the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Defense, and the Department of State—advancing foreign policy and assistance initiatives throughout Eastern Europe and Africa. Most recently, he was Ukraine Deputy Team Lead at USAID, advising senior officials on U.S.-Ukraine cooperation and assistance during Russia’s full-scale invasion. In Rep. Quigley’s office, he applies his policy expertise to support congressional engagement on Ukraine and national security, while gaining deeper insight into the legislative process.
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Razom (“Together” in Ukrainian) is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and a leading advocate for continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Community Foundation of Philadelphia (UCFP) is a community-based 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization that strengthens Ukrainian civic, cultural, and educational life by investing in diaspora-driven initiatives that support a resilient, secure, and democratic Ukraine.
Culture is the mirror of a nation’s soul, and throughout history, Ukrainian women have played a central role in shaping it. Over the years, particularly in recent times, they have used literature and film to navigate trauma, document diverse experiences, and shed light on their incredible resilience and unwavering strength.
The female gaze in Ukrainian cinema and literature always serves as a powerful force. The works in our curated selection address significant issues, including the tension between tradition and modernity, historical trauma, and personal development. They shed light on women’s experiences and challenge our views on masculinity, relationships, and cultural heritage.
By exploring this list, we invite you to gain a deeper understanding of the richness of Ukrainian culture, along with themes of identity and memory.
LITERATURE
Cassandra by Lesya Ukrainka translated by Nina Murray
A dramatic poem by Ukraine’s most prominent woman writer, reimagining the myth of the Trojan prophetess Cassandra – a woman condemned to speak the truth and never be believed. The work becomes a powerful reflection on prophecy, power, and moral courage – themes that resonate strongly with modern Ukraine.
Olena Stiazhkina, a contemporary Ukrainian writer and historian from Donetsk, explores questions of national identity, war, and occupation in her work. Forced to leave her hometown after Russia’s occupation in 2014, she writes from lived experience in both fiction and nonfiction.
In Ukraine, War, Love: A Donetsk Diary (2020), translated by Anne O. Fisher, Stiazhkina offers a deeply personal account of the early days of Russia’s invasion and a deeply intimate portrait of her city and its people.
Her novelCecil the Lion Had to Die(2024), translated by Dominique Hoffmann, traces Ukraine’s modern history through the lives of several families in Donetsk, reflecting the country’s path to independence and Russia’s later attempt to take it away.
Both books offer powerful insights into the history and experience of Ukraine’s eastern region.
Dasein: In Defence of Presence by Yaryna Chornohuz translated by Amelia Glaser
A testimony from the front lines of Russia’s full-scale invasion written by a woman who is at once a corporal in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a volunteer paramedic, a Marine, and one of Ukraine’s most celebrated poets.
My Women by Yuliia Iliukha translated by Hanna Leliv
An urgent and poignant collection of stories of women confronted by the countless brutalities of war. It locates the voices and devastating experiences of those who have been silenced, those who have lost loved ones, those who have fought and persevered, and those who have broken down.
Women and War Letters from Ukraine to the Free World edited 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.
Sweet Darusya: A Tale of Two Villages by Maria Matios translated by Michael Naydan and Olha Tytarenko
In a remote Hutsul village in the Carpathians, Darusya – considered a mute “holy fool” by her neighbors – lives with excruciating head pain and a mysterious inner life. Across three interconnected timelines, Matios traces her story from WWII through the Soviet era to the early 2000s, exploring trauma, love, survival, and the everyday magic of rural life.
Looking at Women Looking at War by Victoria Amelina
A diary, a war crimes account, and a tribute to women on the frontlines, the book has been called an instant classic and a searing portrait of resistance and humanity.
From 2014 to 2023, six Ukrainian women, survivors of sexual violence and torture, share their experiences. Traces reveals their resilience and solidarity, transforming their testimonies into an act of remembrance and justice.
Two female medics in Ukraine’s army, whose lives are captured via phone and body cam footage, navigate the chaos of war with bravery, humour and friendship.
Returning home from the front line after being held captive for two months, soldier Lilia (29 y.o.) discovers that she is pregnant after being raped by her warden. Will she manage to survive this trauma and save the child in a society that is not ready to accept either of them?
With the recent escalation of Russia’s war on Ukraine, the seemingly unbreakable bond of a vibrant cheerleading team of 50+ year old women called “Nice Ladies” is challenged. They face impossible choices between motherland and grandmotherhood, between staying and leaving.
Kyiv, late 1990s. Tonia transfers schools to escape violence, only to find herself drawn into a restless group of teenagers testing the limits of love, friendship, and cruelty. Between first desires and reckless games, she falls for the charismatic Zhurik while longing for Sania, caught in a swirl of emotions where innocence and danger intertwine. No one escapes unscathed.
Single mother Anna and her four children live in the front-line war zone of Donbas, Ukraine. While the outside world is made up of bombings and chaos, the family is managing to keep their home as a safe haven, full of life and full of light. Every member of the family has a passion for cinema, motivating them to shoot a film inspired by their own life during a time of war.
Ivan Dziuba was a literary critic, publicist, and a “symbol of Ukrainian sixtiers.” Lina Kostenko recalls him as a person who always had the courage to speak the truth. As the initiator of the famous protest against the mass arrests of Ukrainian intellectuals during the premiere of Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors by Serhiy Parajanov, alongside Vasyl Stus and Vyacheslav Chornovil, and as the author of the landmark book Internationalism or Russification?, he inevitably drew close attention from the KGB.
Through all the anxieties and repressions associated with his dissident activities, his wife Marta stood by his side. Together they spent 62 years. Ivan and Marta is a tender story of their relationship and Ivan’s active civic stance, told by his wife, who was his steadfast support and the love of his life until the very end.
Juxtaposed with images of the destruction caused by the invasion and the day-to-day life of the Ukrainian people who resist and rebuild, the voices of the Russian soldiers – ranging from being filled with heroic illusions to complete disappointment and loss of reason, from looting to committing more horrible war crimes, from propaganda to doubt and disillusionment – expose the whole scope of the dehumanizing power of war and imperialist nature of the Russian aggression.
Julia, a young MMA fighter, lost her fiancé in the war. She quits the sport and starts a new relationship to free herself from the role of the war hero’s widow, which is imposed on her by the environment.
Diary of a Bride of Christ, 2022 Marta Smerechynska
For the young girls who choose to become the brides of Christ, their lives are full of His love. The nuns see its manifestation in everything – the removal of their hair and the renunciation of their names. 12 new Ukrainian future nuns take the cross in a remote village in Transcarpathia, near the border between Ukraine and Romania.
A large-scale celebration of the 20th anniversary of the serving of the Argentinean congregation in Ukraine. Hundreds of nuns from all over the world are at a meeting in Rome. And days of absolute silence and intimate personal stories from the nuns about the emergence of their vocation. What is it like to be a bride of Christ?
A Portrait Against the Background of Mountains, 2019 Maksym Rudenko
Deep in the mountains, a photographer, Paraska Plytka-Horytsvit, photographed people and the place where she lived for many years. After her death, a box with thousands of her negatives was found. This finding marks the start of the mysterious journey in search of the present and the past, as reflected in the photo negatives discovered by chance.
Ukrainian volunteer soldier, filmmaker, and mother Alisa Kovalenko creates a testament to the power of love in the time of war – by balancing frontline routines, the horrors of the battlefield, and tender poetic letters to her little son, Théo.
This is the story of people who have saved more than they lost under the pressure of our ambivalent present, which has mixed up all the laws of earth and heaven. Their strength and weakness is their love: for their land, for their neighbours. They are both dissident and obedient at the same time, like the mountains.
They rebel against the injustices of life and bravely take all the blows of fate. To the human eye, the Malkovych family is lost among beautiful and harsh nature, but in fact, they are in a place where harmony and love, passed down through generations, have ruled since the beginning of time.
