Mariupol Defender Serhii Receives an Apartment from Rinat Akhmetov
Mariupol defender Serhii 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.
Serhii was in Mariupol when the full-scale invasion began, and together with his fellow servicemen he defended the city at Azovstal until the very end. He entered captivity in May 2022 and remained there until December 30, 2024. Due to the extremely harsh conditions and prolonged imprisonment, his health deteriorated significantly.
After returning to Ukraine, Serhii received comprehensive medical assistance through the Health program of Heart of Azovstal. He underwent a series of surgeries, completed rehabilitation, and received treatment for his eyesight. Receiving a home of his own became another important step toward a stable life. Thanks to this support, he will now be able to live in comfortable conditions and focus fully on his recovery.
“They gave me something that an average person in Ukraine can only dream of. This is a place where you can truly feel at home, a place you can always return to. That means a great deal,” says Serhii.
To congratulate the defender on his housewarming, Kseniia Sukhova, CEO of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, and Tetiana Kukhotska, Secretary of the Foundation’s Supervisory Board, visited him. They wished him a speedy recovery and a happy life in his new apartment.
“Within the framework of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, there is an important initiative called Heart of Azovstal. Serhii received comprehensive support. It helped him find a new path and understand what to do next — to continue serving and helping the military achieve the vitally important victory and peace. We have already provided more than 300 apartments to the defenders of Mariupol. Many families are living in these apartments. This is an incredibly important initiative that truly changes lives,” noted Kseniia Sukhova.
“Our defenders must know that they are remembered, cared for, supported, and that everything possible is being done to help them restore their health, return to life, work, and build a new future for themselves,” emphasized Tetiana Kukhotska.
The “At Home” program provides apartments for Mariupol defenders with Group I and Group II disabilities. Over the past three years, the defenders of Mariupol have already received more than 320 apartments from Rinat Akhmetov. 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.
