The war changed everything. I realized that my experience in communications could be useful in the civic sector. Victory Center is a non-profit civic organization focused on the psycho-emotional recovery of veterans and children. Our mission is to empower and heal our nation by supporting and uniting our protectors and nurturing our future generation. We do that through the transformative power of equine assisted learning and hippotherapy (animal therapy), working for a healthier and more resilient Ukraine.
Our center offers adaptation after rehabilitation, conducts preventive psychotherapy, and uses mindfulness and decompression as effective tools for alleviating combat stress and strengthening resilience for those who have survived military conflicts. We create a safe environment where people can restore harmony to their mental state and find support and community. Through our program and partner horses, we create a path to physical and mental healing, helping vulnerable populations rediscover joy and meaning in their lives. I am also the board chair of the “Association of Specialists in Hippotherapy, Hippovention, and Adaptive Equestrian Sports,” which unites professionals to develop this important field in Ukraine.
We work with veterans, families of exPOWs and the deceased, as well as children affected by the war. In our work, we combine therapy with horses, psycho-emotional support, group training, and leadership skills development.
It does not end there, though: you’re also the co-founder of the so called PR Army. What does that organization do?
PR Army is an independent Ukrainian non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the war and strengthening Ukraine’s global image. The NGO was founded by Ukrainian communication experts and journalists just hours after the full-scale Russian invasion. Its goal is to continuously collaborate with international media by providing them with access to Ukrainian experts and eyewitnesses, countering Russian propaganda, and ensuring the world learns the truth. We’ve been pioneers in exposing the issue of the forced deportation of Ukrainians and continue to advocate for the rights of deportees and civilian hostages. Our work also extends to sanction enforcement, the protection of cultural heritage, and debunking Russia’s false historical claims. I take great pride in my efforts to build a strong community and in the many personal connections I have established with international media, which have helped amplify Ukraine’s voice on the global stage.
You were a participant of the first edition of our Civil Society Leadership Programme for Ukraine. What was you favorite moment/your biggest learning from the programme?
You hosted a spontaneous little fundraising event during your stay in Austria, tell us what happened – and who the beneficiaries were!
It was a very pleasant and completely unplanned event! At Victory Center, we collaborate with an organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating horses – Social Ranch “Horse Paradise”. Their stable is home to 40 rescued horses, including some that were saved from the frontlines of the war in Ukraine. This organization has given these animals a second chance at life. From time to time, we hold our therapeutic programs at the ranch, helping veterans and children find healing through interaction with horses.
While walking through the breathtaking Austrian mountains in Payerbach, we stumbled upon real Icelandic horses, which instantly sparked an idea. Together with the incredible Mariia Litvin, Anastasiia Chebotarova, and Anastasiia Apetyk, we quickly put together a plan and a fundraising goal to support the rehabilitation of horses rescued from frontline areas. We designed a creative visual poster for the event and invited everyone to join us for a fun evening of introductions (where all participants could get to know each other in an engaging way) and a game of charades.
We also set up a donation station, and nearly all participants of our program contributed to the fundraiser! As a final touch, we raffled off our signature Victory Center T-shirt, featuring a drawing of a horse created by veterans during an art therapy session at the ranch. Sometimes, spontaneous ideas lead to quick solutions and meaningful support for others.
I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who participated – we raised 5600 UAH (approximately €140) in just one evening!
Six months later, Mariia Litvin and Anastasiia Chebotarova joined me on a visit to the ranch, where they had the chance to meet these beautiful “velvet noses” in person. It was a simple, heartwarming experience that reminded us that doing good can be easy and joyful.
The fourth year of the Russian full-scale invasion has started. How are you holding up and what gives you strength to keep fighting back?
I find strength in those who refuse to give up, for whom responsibility is not just an empty word. I seek strength in those who embody proactivity, principles, and kindness — and of course, in our defenders, both men and women.
There is still so much for me to learn, because this work is not for everyone — I mean social work in particular. But in difficult times, I truly believe that volunteering and professional charity work are what keep me going. If I can see real impact, if I can change even a small part of what is within my power, that gives me energy and strength. When I witness unity, care, and resilience, I feel supported.
But you Europeans, must remember — we are not made of steel. Our resources are not infinite, and our capacities are not endless. Right now, in Ukraine, there are millions of ongoing fundraisers every single day. People are exhausted; they are running out of money and resources. That is why I am deeply grateful to organizations like yours, because you helped restore and replenish us through this program.
I hope that more and more international organizations do not forget that Ukraine is still facing the largest war of the 21st century. And the only way to stop it is through a just peace — which means there should be no victim-blaming, but rather accountability for the true aggressor.
Support civil society however you can. There are incredible people working in this sector in Ukraine, and their dedication inspires and fuels me every single day.
Whats your biggest goal this year?
I would say taking our organization to the next level — moving toward sustainable funding, building strong partnerships, and expanding our fundraising efforts. I also want to improve our programs and, most importantly, keep learning, learning, learning.
I am both dreaming and actively working to ensure that equine-assisted therapy in Ukraine reaches a high professional standard. This field is becoming incredibly popular, but unfortunately, it often remains at the recreational level rather than being recognized as a structured therapeutic intervention.
Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) offer incredible opportunities for resource-building. Interaction with horses fosters emotional regulation, social skills, self-awareness, and a deep sense of dignity. My goal is to ensure that this method is properly developed, recognized, and accessible — so that those who need it most can truly benefit from its full potential.
Regarding the program itself, we received invaluable advice on fundraising strategies, effective team management, and ensuring long-term sustainability. The training on strategic planning was particularly valuable because, in times of war, every decision must be carefully thought out and adaptable to constant changes. Even though planning in Ukraine has, in many ways, been reduced to thinking just a week ahead, long-term strategy remains crucial. Without a helicopter view, things simply won’t work — that’s what I believe.
