Rinat Akhmetov to purchase an apartment for scientist Mykhailo Vysotskyi, whose home was destroyed by a russian attack

Rinat Akhmetov, founder of the Charitable Foundation and president of FC Shakhtar, has decided to purchase and provide a new apartment to Kyiv-based scientist and science communicator Mykhailo Vysotskyi. The man was left without a home after a massive russian attack on the capital on 2 July 2026.

Mykhailo Vysotskyi, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Associate Professor at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, miraculously survived the attack, but his home was completely destroyed by fire. In addition, the blaze completely destroyed a unique family archive that had been preserved for more than 150 years: books, paintings by renowned Ukrainian artists, family photographs and scientific works of several generations. After learning about the tragedy, Rinat Akhmetov decided to personally help Mykhailo, a descendant of prominent Ukrainian scientists.

“Mykhailo Vysotskyi’s story caught Mr Akhmetov’s attention, and he instructed us, his Foundation, to contact the scientist and science communicator and find out how we could help him. They are in despair now. Their main need is new housing. Mr Akhmetov has decided to purchase a new apartment in Kyiv for Mykhailo Vysotskyi. Our task is to do this before the start of the academic year so that by September Mykhailo can continue his scientific work and develop his YouTube channel,” emphasized Nataliia Yemchenko, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.

“We are very pleased to support Mykhailo. It was interesting for me to speak with him personally. We talked about the history of his family, which, unfortunately, was also affected by the shelling, and, of course, about science. Mykhailo is an outstanding scientist who explains very complex things in simple language. He shared how he promotes science among young people, and today it is extremely important to pay attention to the younger generation and encourage them, including to engage in scientific activities, because this is an investment in the future of our country,” said Ksenia Sukhova, General Director of the Foundation.

From the first days of the full-scale war, Mykhailo remained in Kyiv. For him, as a native Kyiv resident, staying in his hometown during the most difficult times was a personal decision. Since 2022, he had witnessed the enemy destroying Kyiv, and in 2026, the tragedy reached his own home. The first strike near the building blew out windows and doors and damaged the facade of the building. However, the second attack was much more devastating.

“During this ‘strike’, I was in my bed and felt the explosion. Flames immediately appeared, and glass flew into my face. It is incredibly fortunate that I got away with only a few cuts,” Mykhailo recalls the moment of the tragedy.

The loss also put the physicist’s scientific and educational activities on hold. Since 2023, Mykhailo has been actively developing his own YouTube channel about science, which has already garnered more than one million views. Due to the lack of equipment, peace and quiet, and basic living conditions, recording new videos has become impossible.

“Every day, I have to deal with a huge number of problems. It is very difficult to record new videos because it requires time, inspiration, peace and quiet, and suitable conditions in which I can focus specifically on physics, when I can focus on what our world is like without thinking about restoring documents, money, an apartment, or how to help my parents,” the scientist admits.

Thanks to Rinat Akhmetov’s decision, the scientist will receive his own home, allowing Mykhailo to return to his scientific work and his favourite project promoting physics among young people.

The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation supports the development of the younger generation. Supporting talented scientists today is an investment in the future of Ukrainian science, as well as a significant contribution to developing the potential of young people, their knowledge and opportunities.