Mariupol Defender Denys Hanzha Receives an Apartment from Rinat Akhmetov
Mariupol defender Denys Hanzha has received the keys to his own apartment under the “At Home” program, implemented by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation in partnership with the Heart of Azovstal project.
Denys is a native of Mariupol and has served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2017. In early April 2022, during fierce battles for his hometown, he came under artillery fire and sustained severe injuries. For ten days, he remained immobile in a shelter, which was eventually stormed by russian troops. That is how Denys ended up in captivity, where he was held for more than two months.
In the summer of 2022, the severely wounded defender was returned home as part of a prisoner exchange. First, Denys received comprehensive medical assistance through the Health program of Heart of Azovstal. Now he has a home of his own — a space for recovery and a place where he can calmly make plans for the future.
“I am grateful to Rinat Akhmetov for everything he does for all military personnel. We lost everything, and he is helping us get back on our feet and giving us a chance to move forward with our lives again. Thank you very much for that,” Denys shared.
Natalia Yemchenko, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, and Kseniia Sukhova, CEO of the Foundation, came to congratulate the defender on his housewarming. They noted that they were sincerely pleased to help the hero begin a new chapter of his life in his own apartment.
“I would like to convey to you Rinat Akhmetov’s words of gratitude for the heroic defense of the city of Mariupol and for everything you have done and continue to do for our country. We deeply value this, and all projects and programs created for the defenders of Mariupol are aimed at ensuring they have a dignified life,” said Kseniia Sukhova.
Denys is currently planning to launch his own business and, with the stability provided by having a home of his own, looks to the future with confidence.
According to Natalia Yemchenko, supporting Mariupol’s defenders and providing them with housing is a strategic objective of the project that is already producing tangible results:
“We are approaching the milestone of 330 apartments. As I have said before, our goal by the end of the year is to provide at least 400 homes.”
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.
