They keep the rear: the stories of brave Ukrainian women are kept in the Museum of Civilian Voices founded by Rinat Akhmetov Foundation

Since February 24, when russia attacked Ukraine, women have been actively involved in countering the aggressor. They mostly stay in the rear to help those who defend us on the frontline. The Museum of Civilian Voices founded by Rinat Akhmetov Foundation has collected stories about how women bring victory closer with their support.

Olena from Kyiv started volunteering from the first days of the war. Now she makes beaded paintings that she puts up for auction from time to time to raise donations to help the army. She says: every hryvnia is her contribution to the common victory.

“My main dream is to wait until the war is over and live to see it”, Olena admits. You can read her story here: https://bit.ly/43qWsht

For Oleksandra, the war tested her endurance and ability to make difficult decisions. She stayed in her native Donetsk region until the very last moment, helping people evacuate and providing food for the fighters of the Territorial Defence Forces. Each of her decisions mattered because someone’s life depended on it.

“I was working as a director of a preschool education institution, and I took in both IDPs and our guys from the Territorial Defence Forces, and we fed them. We helped as long as it was possible”, says Oleksandra. You can read her story here: https://bit.ly/4haT65z

Bohdana from Kyiv is one of those who could not stand aside while the war continues. That’s why she joined the volunteer group of “combat seamstresses and spiders” who sew and weave camouflage nets. Every day, her hands create protection for our soldiers – metres of camouflage nets that help hide the defenders’ positions from enemy drones and artillery.

“This is the third year we have been here together. From the very beginning, we have been combat seamstresses and enthusiastic girls. We had to help the guys somehow, because I couldn’t sit at home and do nothing”, says Bohdana. You can read her story here: https://bit.ly/4kwbPvh

Each of these women is a story of courage, dedication and resilience. Their actions are a contribution to the common cause, as the fight continues not only at the front but also in the rear.

The collection of the Museum of Civilian Voices founded by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation includes more than 130,000 stories about the war. This is the world’s largest collection of stories of civilians affected by russia’s war against Ukraine. You can watch and read these stories on the website: https://civilvoicesmuseum.org