Ukraine is under russian attack. This is what I’m doing to help. Join my ongoing efforts.

1. ONGOING. Supporting Armed Forces of Ukraine - I work directly with Ukrainian brigades to purchase and deliver drones and drone detectors, medical supplies, personal protective gear, signal extension equipment, 3D-printed components for defense and offensive operations, tablets and computers for reconnaissance, transmitters, power banks, and other mission-critical equipment. As needs arise, I also help procure tools, vehicle parts for frontline repairs, and equipment used in casualty evacuations. This work is possible through my close partnerships with two trusted, on-the-ground organizations: Fond Ne Bajdushih in Irpin (PayPal: fundofcaring@gmail.com) and Trimajmosa Razom in Dnipro (PayPal: trimajmosarazom@gmail.com). These organizations were founded by WOW Women Zoriana Mironishena and Arina Chaban respectively, with whom I have daily communication.

2. ONGOING. “Inside Ukraine”. I interview Ukrainian women who are actively resisting russian aggression from within Ukraine. Through my ongoing series, Inside Ukraine, I document the stories of military defenders, teachers, volunteers, artists, journalists, paramedics, entrepreneurs, and other Ukrainian women contributing to their country's defense. These interviews preserve their experiences for posterity, raise funds for Ukraine, and help the world better understand russia's ongoing war against Ukraine and the courage of those living through it. The series is part of my broader mission to preserve and amplify Ukrainian women's voices.

3. ONGOING. Combating russian “Waiting” Ambush Drones. Help me support the special military unit dedicated to finding and disabling the deadly “sleeper” drones. Enemy forces started deploying so-called “waiting” ambush drones along the critical supply routes in Ukraine. When a military vehicles, ambulances or civilians are identified, “waiting” drone launches and conducts a deadly kamikaze strike.

4. ONGOING. “Investing in Ukraine’s Future” - purchase laptops for children whose fathers were killed defending Ukraine from russian invaders. Left to raise their children alone, many widowed mothers face significant financial hardship and cannot afford a computer. This small act of support helps ensure these children can keep up with their schoolwork, access educational resources, and continue to learn. Additionally, I secured financial backing to build a children’s exercise facility in Irpin, Ukraine in order to help kids affected by war as well as kids relocated from occupied territories.

5. ONGOING. “Supporting Ukraine’s Vulnerable”- supporting a learning center in western Ukraine. Tavor Center is carrying out programs focused on skills development and building of interpersonal abilities in individuals with learning and physical disabilities as well as those overcoming war and displacement due to russian aggression. I helped with winterizing the center, buying adult diapers and food for the vulnerable families affected by war.

6. Completed. Voices of the Killed: Kateryna Savenko Diary. To help share the truth about russian atrocities in Mariupol, I translated the diary of Kateryna Savenko, who survived five weeks and six days under the russian siege of Mariupol until she and her husband were killed by a russian missile. Throughout those weeks of relentless bombardment, Kateryna kept a journal, writing first in russian and increasingly in Ukrainian. Her diary was saved by her mother then entrusted to her sister, Nadiya, and Mariupol journalist Natalya Dedova. Together, they shared Kateryna's diary and photographs with me, allowing me to translate and publish her words so they could be read around the world.

7. Completed. English translation of Mariupol survivor’s story. My aim is to share voices of survivors of russia’s attack on Mariupol. I completed an English translation of this interview, “Russian Bombings of Mariupol: One Mother’s Story of Survival” and interviewed the survivor WOW Woman Nadia Pavlova who fled Mariupol and lived to tell about russian atrocities there.

8. Completed. “Bike for Domes” - completed a personal bike race of over 150kms through South Africa. Fundraised for Ukrainian defenders in 72nd Mechanized Brigade, 54th Mechanized Brigade’s Drone Team and 47th Mechanized Brigade. Fundraising goal of 25,000 USD, achieved.

9. Completed. “Immediate Response of 2023: Helping Ukrainian Armed Forces”. Completed fundraising campaign for the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade “Magura” and 81st Separate Airmobile Brigade. This was an emergency response to the requests of the units battling for the city of Bakhmut and liberation of the Zaporizhzhia region.

10. Completed. Fighting russian propaganda project - Jewish Ukraine. Through the Jewish Ukraine project, I sought to counter one of the Kremlin's central propaganda narratives: its false claim that russia invaded Ukraine to "fight Nazis." I commissioned Mariupol native Olena Sugak to photograph Jewish heritage sites in Kyiv and combined them along with her images of Jewish sites in Mariupol. Together they show Ukraine's vibrant and complex Jewish history. Olena’s images of Mariupol have since become a historical record, as much of the city was razed to the ground during russian bombardments in March and April 2022.

If you’d like to participate, contribute, learn more, please reach out to me at wowwomanofficial@gmail.com

UKRAINIANS

The war in Ukraine is going on right now! Russian invasion continues, as do their indiscriminate shelling and murders of Ukrainian civilians, women and children. And destruction, so much destruction is caused by the russian aggressor.

I am Ukrainian, born in Eastern Ukraine, in Dnipro. Although I immigrated years ago, my heart is in Ukraine, it is my homeland and it is hurting. With the WOW Woman platform, my aim is to shine the spotlight on brave and defiant Ukrainian women who are fighting for the full liberation from the russian aggressor, battling for their right to live, prosper and pursue happiness - just like the rest of us. Although russians learned that Ukrainians will not be silenced nor dominated, the aggressor continues trying and terrorizing. I believe that information is power and sharing Ukrainian women’s stories is a form of justice.

With my WOW Woman Ukraine coverage, I want to bring forth (1) women living inside the country with the Inside Ukraine project and series of interviews, (2) women who support Ukraine from afar (expats or foreigners), in the Inside Ukrainian Heart series and (3) stories of Ukrainian refugees who fled the aggressor. My goal is to show the real flesh-and-blood humans behind the news headlines. I trust that these interviews will be a legacy on which future generations of Ukrainians will proudly build.

Ukrainians are fighting for all of us. We can return the favour! Thank you for visiting, reading and supporting. Slava Ukraini!

- Olga Shmaidenko, founder of WOW Woman, a proud Ukrainian.

INSIDE UKRAINE

WOW Woman’s Inside Ukraine series shines the spotlight on Ukrainian women who are resisting the russian aggressor on all fronts, as defenders, paramedics, volunteers, etc. Each interview features images provided by the WOW Woman herself.

INSIDE UKRAINIAN HEART

These outstanding women support Ukraine from abroad. Their stories and activism inspire me greatly. Inside Ukrainian Heart interviews were obtained remotely, photos were provided by the WOW Women themselves.

UKRAINIANs Abroad, Foreigners who SUPPORT Ukraine and volunteers

Below features were photographed by Olga Shmaidenko, the founder of WOW Woman. Together, interviews highlight the extensive humanitarian effort carried out by Ukrainian refugees living abroad as well as Polish and other volunteers in Europe and throughout the world (in places like Canada, USA and South Africa). Thank you to every volunteer, who helped Ukrainians. (Ukrainian-only voices are aggregated here).

Ukrainian Voices - Before the War

As of this writing (April 29, 2025), the RF continues bombing and occupying peaceful Ukrainian cities, killing civilians, destroying Ukrainian infrastructure, deporting, torturing and raping Ukrainian women and children. However, russians will fail at their attempts to suffocate Ukrainian spirit. No crime will go unpunished. Through it all, Ukrainian strength and resilience have always shown superior to those of the aggressor.

Ми витримаємо. Ми переможемо. Слава Україні! We will persevere. We will win. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!

- Olga Shmaidenko, Founder of WOW Woman.

* all photos above, by Olga Shmaidenko