Unbroken Roman Oleksiv, who survived the shelling of Vinnytsia in 2022, received an apartment from Rinat Akhmetov

Roman Oleksiv - the boy who survived russia’s missile strike on Vinnytsia in 2022 - has received his own home from the founder of the Foundation and President of FC Shakhtar, Rinat Akhmetov. The keys to a two-room apartment in Lviv were presented to Roman and his father by Supervisory Board Chair Nataliia Yemchenko and the Foundation’s CEO Kseniia Sukhova.

“Rinat Akhmetov decided to gift Romchyk his own apartment. It belongs entirely to him and will allow him to keep up with music, dancing, and physical exercise, walk a lot and, most importantly, live close to his father’s workplace. We are absolutely happy to have taken the first very important step along this path, because Romchyk is an incredibly bright and highly driven child who wants so much from life and takes immense joy in living,” said Nataliia Yemchenko.

“Roman is an incredible boy. He is a symbol of our country’s resilience and an example to others. His family has gone through a difficult journey in order to smile, live, and speak about the future today. For the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, it is important to see this desire to live and make plans for the future,” emphasized Kseniia Sukhova.

For 11-year-old Roman and his father, having a home of their own in Lviv is a chance to once again feel the comfort of home after loss and trauma and to begin a new life. This apartment was chosen with special attention to the family’s needs in order to make their daily life as comfortable and functional as possible, so the boy could focus on studying, creativity, and recovery.

“We want to thank Rinat Leonidovych for gifting us this apartment. It is very important for Romchyk. The rehabilitation center is nearby, and we will be able to go there more often and focus on recovery. All of Lviv’s creative institutions are also located here. We will be able to attend more concerts and go more often to music school, the lyceum, and the academy,” says Yaroslav, Roman’s father.

“This apartment is truly wonderful. I will be able to study music and play the accordion because it is the top floor and there are almost no neighbors nearby. There is a lot of space in the apartment. It is very convenient,” Roman shares.

Creativity - music and ballroom dancing - became a form of rehabilitation for the boy: a way to distract himself from terrifying memories.

FC Shakhtar has also become a reliable source of support for Roman, inspiring him with its resilience and belief in victory despite any obstacles.

On the day of the tragedy - in July 2022 - the seven-year-old boy and his mother were at a medical clinic in Vinnytsia for a scheduled check-up when russian forces launched a missile strike on the city center. On that horrific day, Roman miraculously survived but lost what mattered most - his mother. The boy himself suffered severe burns: 45% of his body was affected, some of them fourth-degree burns, the most severe type.

He has already undergone 36 complex surgeries and exhausting rehabilitation. After his condition stabilized in Ukrainian hospitals, Roman was transferred to Germany. There he underwent numerous skin grafts and procedures to restore damaged tissue. Doctors predict that his treatment may continue until adulthood.

Despite this, Roman does not give up. Today he continues rehabilitation, studies, and devotes much of his time to creative pursuits. In 2025, he won the international accordion competition InterSvitiaz Accomusic and took part in dance competitions.

Most importantly, Roman actively tells the world about the consequences of war for Ukraine’s children. He has already met with Pope Francis, spoken at the European Parliament, received the presidential distinction “Future of Ukraine,” and his story became part of the documentary Children on Fire.

“I do this to show that Ukrainians are unbreakable and that children, as a rule, suffer the most from war,” Roman says.

Recently, 11-year-old Roman also ran 5 kilometers as part of the Boston Marathon. He admits  it was not easy, but he endured and dedicated the run to children who, like him, suffered because of russia’s war against Ukraine. His story is proof that the will to live is stronger than war.