If you want to support Rubryka, join our Solutions Community.
Invictus Games 2025
Artur Mylin (first left) celebrates a wheelchair basketball victory
Artur Mylin and Valerii Odainyk were among the Ukrainian medalists at the Invictus Games 2025, where Ukraine ranked among the top three teams by total medals. Artur took home gold in swimming, bronze in biathlon, and bronze in wheelchair basketball. Valerii won silver in indoor rowing, bronze in Nordic cross-country standing skiing, and bronze in sitting volleyball as part of Team Ukraine.
Rubryka spoke to the Ukrainian champions here.
What to do about the cancellation of US funding?
On January 20, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting all foreign aid programs for 90 days. Shortly after, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced it was suspending funding for all projects and programs in Ukraine without exception. The suspension of US aid has impacted many organizations in Ukraine. In response, Rubryka hosted a Solutions Hub, bringing together experts to discuss strategies for compensating for the loss of American funding in the Ukrainian public sector. Read the highlights here.
Furry Calendar: How Ukrainian shelter rescues and rehomes cats from war zones
Kitten. Photo from the shelter archive
The war in Ukraine has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, and animals have also suffered greatly. Many pets have lost their owners, become separated due to shelling, or were abandoned during evacuation. As a result, shelters near the front lines are overwhelmed, while the number of homeless animals in need of rescue continues to grow.
To raise awareness and support these animals, Ivan Minenko from Sumy has been creating a charitable Fluffy Calendar for the past three years. This year's edition is dedicated to displaced cats from war-affected and front-line areas. All proceeds from the calendar's sales go toward helping animals cared for by the NGO Dimpets. Learn more about the initiative here.
An app that allows those who cannot speak to communicate
Mykhailyk, 8 years old, working with the application. Photo from the archive of Hanna Derii
For nonverbal individuals, expressing their wishes, asking questions, or even saying "thank you" can be a significant challenge. For children with Down syndrome, nonverbal communication barriers not only limit their ability to interact but also affect their self-confidence, motivation to learn, and emotional connection with the world around them. This challenge extends beyond the child, impacting parents, peers, and teachers as well.
In Poltava, a new application is being actively tested and promoted to provide children with speech difficulties a tool for simple and accessible communication. Learn more about how it works in Rubryka's article.
Sex life and long-distance relationships
Serviceman with a phone. Illustrative photo
Video calls, instant messages, and social networks allow us to stay connected constantly—erasing physical distance and offering the comfort of seeing and hearing loved ones with a single click. Yet, can these digital interactions truly replace the warmth of a hug, the comfort of touch, or the shared moments that build intimacy?
For Valentine's Day, Rubryka spoke with experts—military family specialists, clinical psychologist and sexologist Tetiana Badova, and psychologist and sexologist Anna Kurochka. Together, they offer practical advice on how to maintain emotional connection, nurture intimacy, and keep the spark alive, even when separated.
Whether your partner is serving on the front lines, evacuated abroad, or living in another region of Ukraine, this article is for you. It provides guidance for the millions of Ukrainian couples navigating love and connection amid the realities of war.
Rare earth metals in Ukraine: What you need to know about Ukraine's critical minerals
Critical raw materials—such as nickel, uranium, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements—are highly valuable to both the European Union and the United States. These minerals are essential for the development of green energy technologies, advanced industries, and future innovations.
Ukraine holds a significant share of these critical materials. According to experts, the country has approximately 20,000 documented deposits containing 117 types of minerals, including over 20 critical minerals and rare earth metals. The estimated value of these reserves stands at a staggering $11.5 trillion USD. Rubryka explores the strategic importance of Ukraine's mineral wealth and how it could shape the future of energy and technology worldwide.
Agrivoltaics: How dual use of land can be a game-changer for Ukrainian farmers
Hanska Solar Power Station, Zhytomyr region. Photo: Tesla Agro
Farming and electricity production can coexist—and in Ukraine's Zhytomyr region, it's already happening. Tesla Energo LLC, a company specializing in industrial solar power plants, has integrated agriculture into its operations. During the summer, sheep graze between the solar panels, reducing the need for costly grass mowing, while blueberries flourish just beyond the fence.
This agrovoltaic model—combining agriculture with solar energy production—is already gaining traction across Europe. While the Zhytomyr project is currently the only one of its kind in Ukraine, experts believe that, under the right conditions, scaling agrovoltaics nationwide is entirely feasible. Rubryka explores how this innovative approach can transform Ukraine's agricultural and energy sectors.
Calming a scared dog: expert tips for handling fear of loud noises
Victoriia Sherstiuk examining an animal. Photo courtesy of the doctor's archive
War affects not only people—it deeply impacts animals too. Loud noises, constant stress, and displacement can cause fear and anxiety in pets, affecting their physical and emotional health. If your dog has become more fearful due to the war, there are ways to help. In an interview with Rubryka, veterinarian Viktoria Sherstiuk and dog behavior specialist Daryna Vasylchuk share insights on how to reduce stress and support pets during challenging times. From creating a safe space to using calming techniques, the experts offer practical tips to ease your pet's anxiety and improve their well-being.
Find the full guide and expert advice at the link.
Shelterbelts of Life
A shelterbelt protects a field. Photo courtesy of the project
The loss of forest belts in Ukraine poses serious risks—not only to the environment but also to agriculture. Without these protective green zones, soil erosion increases, land degrades, and crop yields fall.
To combat this, the Peli Can Live Charitable Foundation launched the Forest Belts of Life project in 2019. This initiative focuses on restoring and creating new forest belts to protect farmland. Today, the project is more critical than ever, as war damage has further depleted these essential ecosystems. By reviving forest belts, the project aims to preserve Ukraine's natural environment while boosting agricultural productivity and economic resilience.
Learn more about the project and its impact at the link.
Bridging the gap: How online initiatives help refugee children connect with Ukraine
Imagine a ten-year-old schoolboy sitting at a desk in a foreign country. His friends are now spread across the globe, and outside the window is a school he has never seen before. He is one of approximately 400,000 Ukrainian children who have left their homes due to the war and are now adjusting to life abroad. This figure was shared by the Minister of Education and Science, Oksen Lisovyi, in October last year. Can these children maintain their Ukrainian identity in such circumstances? Rubryka explores a solution that helps make it possible.
