«We are thrilled!»: defender of Mariupol Vladyslav Kashenets receives an apartment from the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation
26.08.2026
29-year-old defender of Mariupol Vladyslav Kashenets has become the owner of an apartment thanks to the “At Home” programme, implemented by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation jointly with the “Heart of Azovstal” project.
A native of Kryvyi Rih, Vladyslav joined the defence of Mariupol when russia launched its full-scale invasion. He went through intense street fighting, defended Azovstal, survived three concussions and shrapnel wounds to both legs. Later, the serviceman found himself in russian captivity.
In captivity, because his surname had been distorted by the russians, Vladyslav effectively “existed” as two different people. His wife noticed the error in the lists while watching his interview from captivity. She immediately contacted the Main Directorate of Intelligence and the Security Service of Ukraine – and this was what helped bring the soldier home.
Today, he is gradually returning to civilian life and focusing on restoring his health. Vladyslav underwent lengthy rehabilitation, was discharged from military service and began working in humanitarian demining as a canine handler specialising in technical reconnaissance. A home of his own, equipped with everything necessary, has become a solid foundation for Vladyslav’s family as they embark on a new stage of their lives.
“We are very grateful to Rinat Akhmetov. This is a very good thing he has done. We are simply thrilled,” says Vladyslav.
The new apartment for the Ukrainian defender is another step in the large-scale programme supporting military personnel and their families. Handing over the keys and certificate, Kseniia Sukhova, General Director of the Foundation, noted that helping heroes remains a key focus for the Charitable Foundation and its “Heart of Azovstal” project.
“I bring you greetings from Rinat Akhmetov. I wish you happiness here. May your family immediately feel at home here. May everything new and the very best begin with this wonderful gift. We thank you for the heroic defence of Mariupol, for everything you have done and will yet do for our country,” Kseniia Sukhova said.
According to Nataliia Yemchenko, Chair of the Foundation’s Supervisory Board, this year the “At Home” programme is approaching the milestone of 400 apartments provided to defenders of Mariupol. The initiative will continue – the Foundation’s founder, Rinat Akhmetov, has already approved its expansion. The pace of the programme’s implementation will depend on the intensity of prisoner exchanges.
“It is great that the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation and the “Heart of Azovstal” continue this programme. At the same time, we very much hope that our example, the analysis of the results and other work we have carried out will become one of the foundations for the emergence of new projects and government programmes. We are also very pleased that our work in the field of post-traumatic growth is already bearing fruit,” says Nataliia Yemchenko.
The “At Home” programme provides apartments for defenders of Mariupol with Group I and Group II disabilities. A home of their own becomes not only a solution to their everyday needs, but also an important part of their journey towards post-traumatic growth – returning to a fulfilling life after combat and captivity.
