A home of his own after 654 days in captivity: Mariupol defender Vitalii receives an apartment from the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation

Mariupol defender Vitalii has received the keys to his own apartment through the Home programme, implemented by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation in partnership with the Azovstal Heart project.

Vitalii was born in Berdiansk. From the first days of the full-scale invasion, he defended Mariupol, holding positions near the Illich Iron and Steel Works. During intense shelling, he suffered several concussions and serious injuries. In April 2022, while the defenders were trying to break out from the plant's territory, Vitalii and his comrades were taken captive.

He spent 654 days in captivity, during which he endured brutal torture at the hands of the russian military. The ordeal severely affected both his physical and psychological health. The defender has a Group II disability. As a result of beatings in captivity, he suffered a detached retina, which led to the complete loss of vision in his left eye. He also lost 70% of his teeth.

Today, however, thanks to the support of the Foundation in partnership with Azovstal Heart, Vitalii is beginning a new stage of recovery in a home of his own.

"It feels unreal, as if this isn't happening to me. I want to express my gratitude to the Azovstal Heart organisation and to Rinat Leonidovych. Thank you for this support and for everything you are doing. It means so much to us," says Vitalii.

The serviceman says he considers the day of his release from captivity to be his second birthday and the beginning of a new life. Now he is making plans for the future, and having a home of his own will provide a solid foundation for this new chapter.

"Unfortunately, he cannot continue his military service because of his health, but he very much wants to work in construction, helping to rebuild and restore our country's infrastructure. Our heroes, who return home wanting to rebuild Ukraine, are truly inspiring. We will stand by them," said the Foundation's Chief Executive Officer, Kseniia Sukhova.

Chair of the Foundation's Supervisory Board, Nataliia Yemchenko, also congratulated Vitalii on his new home and stressed that support for Mariupol defenders through housing assistance would continue.

"For Azovstal Heart and for the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, as we work together as one ecosystem, it is extremely important that our Home programme strengthens and reinforces the broader mission of Azovstal Heart and the Foundation," she said.

The “At Home” program provides apartments for Mariupol defenders with Group I and Group II disabilities. For them, having a home of their own is not only a solution to everyday practical needs, but also an important part of the journey of post-traumatic growth – a return to a full and meaningful life after combat and captivity.