Solutions from Ukraine: installation at Kyiv’s railway to broadcast names of war victims

The "Heart of Ukraine" installation at Kyiv's Southern Railway Station will honor those lost to war by broadcasting their names. Individuals worldwide are invited to submit the names of loved ones, whether military or civilian, ensuring their memories are preserved and shared.

Ukraine WOW reports this.

"The interactive installation "Heart of Ukraine" was created so everyone could confess their love for their city or Ukraine. Thousands of people left their confessions in a week. But these days, the heart of Ukraine speaks only about one thing. About our military and civilians. Everyone who was taken by war. Everyone who became a victim of Russian aggression. Every name is important. After all, the heart of Ukraine beats thanks to these people. Wherever you are, you can honor their memory," the organizers of the initiative, Yaroslava Hres and Yuliia Solovey, say.

Already at five in the morning, the first 60 names appeared—these are Ukrzaliznytsia employees who gave their lives saving people or simply doing their jobs.

"Today, the names of those taken by the war appear on the "Heart of Ukraine" – an initiative with special meaning for us. 818 of our railway workers gave their lives in this war. They repaired the tracks until the last, evacuated people, and supported the country's movement under shelling. For example, track fitter Oleksandr Kot died at his workplace during the bombing of the infrastructure of the Southern Railway by Russian occupation forces. Others took up arms and went to the front to defend Ukraine. For example, Yurii Kuhai, a rifleman of the paramilitary guard, fell in battle during the assault on enemy positions in the Kherson region," Sabina Abliaieva, Director of Communications of Ukrzaliznytsia, said.

To date, the "Heart of Ukraine" has displayed the names of over 700 individuals. The youngest among them is Sofiyka, a 6-year-old from Kyiv, while the oldest is Maia, an 81-year-old from Mykolaiv.

People leave the following messages:

• "Sofiyka Holinska. Forever 6💔 Kyiv".
• "Taras Stasyshyn. We miss you very much, friend! 38 years old. Boryslav, Lviv region".
• "Serhii Palichuk, a man with a big heart! A loving husband, father, and grandfather. Forever 52💔 village of Zrub-Komarivskyi, Storozhynetskyi district".
• "Nazar Nebozhynskyi. Hero of Ukraine. Forever 23. Rivne".
• "Dania, Viking, Kondel. 21 forever".
• "Guys from Trudova Street – Denys Kozhevnikov and Mykhailo Savchuk. Thank you for your protection, guys. Bright memory. Kostiantynivka".
• "Maksym Lyzia "Masia," your smile is always with us. Sloviansk".
• "My dear brother Viacheslav Makarets. I am proud of you and miss you very much, 48. Donetsk".
• "Varvara, my close friend. Died at the age of 14. Mariupol".

To have a name featured on the "Heart of Ukraine," individuals must complete a submission form. Once a name is broadcast, a video of the tribute will be sent to the email address of the person who applied. The installation will continue to display names until all submitted have been honored.

The installation is located at the Southern Railway Station in Kyiv. Its opening hours are daily from 05:00 to 00:00, without breaks or days off.

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February 24 marks the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky and other national leaders expressed gratitude to all those defending Ukraine on this significant day.