This morning’s meeting with the Hon. Yana Zinkevych—Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, veteran, and founder of the “Hospitallers” Medical Battalion—was profoundly significant. Hon. Zinkevych shed light on the ongoing tragedy that Ukraine and its people have endured for twelve long years. This war of aggression, waged by Russia since the invasion of Crimea, escalated into a full-scale invasion four years ago; yet, truth be told, its roots trace back to the Holodomor and the atrocities of the early 1930s.
Hon. Zinkevych provided a detailed account of the humanitarian priorities and immense challenges Ukraine is currently facing. While Russia’s relentless disinformation campaign spreads across Italy and throughout Europe—peddling a false narrative of “peace”—the Russian army continues to unleash brutal drone and missile strikes against civilian populations. Completely disregarding international humanitarian law and the rules of war, Russia is conducting a ruthless and devastating military campaign.
The “Hospitallers” Battalion, founded in 2014, remains on the front lines, dedicated to rescuing, evacuating, and treating the wounded. Over these years of conflict, the battalion has saved 43,000 lives. With an average age of just 25, the contingent is made up of young people who—though unable to enlist in the regular army immediately due to age or other factors—are determined to serve their country. Many eventually go on to join the regular armed forces.
For Hon. Zinkevych, history is the ultimate antidote to fake news and Moscow’s systematic attempts to downplay her people’s resilience and heroism. She recalled making the harrowing choice to volunteer for the front lines at just eighteen years old. Today, as the mother of a nine-year-old daughter, she continues to fight for her child, her people, and her nation’s right to a free life. Her words stand as a powerful testament to truth and an unshakeable strength of spirit.
Hon. Zinkevych issued a powerful appeal to Europe and the international community to exert maximum pressure to ensure the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war and the more than 20,000 children torn from their families and deported to Russia. Meanwhile, Italian and European support for rebuilding Ukraine remains fundamental. While this means restoring infrastructure, roads, railways, schools, and homes, the true recovery must focus on the people. Reconstruction begins with investing trust in the citizens. To this end, her battalion is already planning post-war initiatives, focusing on the psychological rehabilitation of veterans and specialized training for personnel assisting amputees—as over 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been left disabled.
As Europeans, it is crucial that we steadfastly support the Ukrainian people’s extraordinary fight for freedom. They are a people at the very heart of Europe, fighting not just for themselves, but for our collective liberty.
Slava Ukraini!
Giulio Terzi
Matteo Angioli