“Heart of Azovstal” Provides an Apartment to a Defender of Mariupol: The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation Joins in Supporting the Hero

Mariupol defender Pavlo Poznanskyi, who sustained severe injuries in 2022 during the defense of the city, has received a new home together with his family under the “At Home” program of the “Heart of Azovstal” project, implemented in partnership with the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.

Pavlo served in the 36th Separate Marine Brigade. During combat operations in Mariupol, he was ambushed and sustained five gunshot wounds, one of which damaged his spinal cord. With severe injuries, the defender ended up in captivity.

After returning home, he faced a long period of treatment and rehabilitation. Pavlo became the first veteran in Ukraine to receive unique computerized orthoses.

“‘Heart of Azovstal’ financed these orthoses — this amounts to 2 million hryvnias. And it is certainly worth it to help our heroes get back on their feet after severe injuries,” noted NGO director Kseniia Sukhova.

This time, the project’s support became even more extensive — Pavlo, his wife Viktoriia, and their son Hlib received their own apartment: bright, spacious, and fully ready for living.

“I thank the founder of this project, Rinat Leonidovych. He does very powerful, concrete things and truly helps: my stay in the United States and the orthotic treatment, and now — this housing, as well as previous treatment and rehabilitation. I am very grateful for this,” says Pavlo Poznanskyi.

Commander of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade Serhii Volynskyi came to congratulate his brother-in-arms:

“We have known each other since the military academy. It is very moving to see that in such a difficult time a family receives its own home — a place where new dreams are born.”

Nataliia Yemchenko, Chair of the Supervisory Boards of “Heart of Azovstal” and the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, also attended the housewarming and brought a special gift — a coffee machine.

“An apartment is more than walls. It is the center of life, it is the kitchen where the day begins. And it is important for us to leave a part of our presence precisely there,” she noted.

Despite the difficult path, Pavlo does not stop. He is now planning together with his wife to create a veterans’ space in Mykolaiv region that will become a place of support for those undergoing rehabilitation after injuries.

“Having gone through his own path, Pavlo wants to show how important it is not to give up, to believe in yourself, and to keep living,” his wife Viktoriia said.

The “Heart of Azovstal” project, in partnership with the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, continues systematic support for the defenders of Mariupol.

Read more about the “At Home” program and the participation conditions at the link: steelfront.scm.com.ua/pro-serce-azovstali/serce-azovstali-vdoma