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Transcript/ScriptUKRAINE WAR LVIV
HEADLINE: Lviv, The City That Became the Backbone of Ukraine's Resistance
TEASER:
PUBLISHED: 12/07/2023 at 4:15p
BYLINE: Myroslava Gongadze
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Lviv
VIDEOGRAPHER: Yuriy Dankevych
VIDEO EDITOR: Daniil Bratushchak
ASSIGNING EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS:
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Original VOA, Reuters, AFP
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:59
EDITOR NOTES:)) Jepsen
((INTRO: ))
[[Ever since the Russian large-scale invasion on February 22, 2022, the western Ukrainian town of Lviv has become a refuge and the transit point for more than 5 million internally displaced Ukrainians. A relatively safe town, Lviv has emerged as the stronghold of Ukraine's resistance. Myroslava Gongadze narrates the city's journey in adapting to the challenges posed by the new realities of war.]]
((NARRATOR))
Located 80 kilometers from Ukraine's border with Poland, Lviv, the cultural and architectural capital of Ukraine, has become a cornerstone for Ukraine's resistance since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion.
This relatively safe city now plays a vital role as a humanitarian, military, and refugee transit hub for the country. Since February 22, 2022, this Saint Panteleimon Hospital, has accommodated hundreds of wounded daily.
Mayor of Lviv Andriy Sadovy said that to effectively address the challenges of war the city government promptly transformed this hospital into a new facility named "Unbroken."
((Andriy Sadovyi, Mayor of Lviv) (MALE in English))
“After the Russian invasion, we received the first huge group, our wounded one hundred wounded per day. We understand that we must totally rebuild our medical system and we must be ready every day to host wounded, civilian children, women.”
((NARRATOR))
Now the mayor said, they are building an ecosystem around victims of the war.
((Andriy Sadovyi, Mayor of Lviv) MALE in English))
“We started building special accommodation for wounded IDPs. … My idea is very simple. We can build an ecosystem of humanity Unbroken in Lviv, next, we share our experience for Ukrainian cities, but this very, very important part of our victory”
((NARRATOR))
Two to three evacuation trainers, each carrying injured, arrive at this facility weekly. In the year 2022 alone, the hospital's medical team treated over 80,000 patients, said Volodymyr Fedorov, the deputy director of development for the center.
((Volodymyr Fedorov, Liviv First Medical Organization) MALE, In English))
“This rehabilitation center covers all help, from patients when he get to our clinic, in the surgery department, trauma department, reconstructive surgery, burn surgery, till rehabilitation and getting the prosthesis. The whole cycle of rehabilitation we try to have here.”
((NARRATOR))
Vasyl Hryzenko, lieutenant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, lost his leg as a result of the gunshot wound. He was evacuated to Kyiv for the first treatment and later requested to be treated in this hospital because of the good care and specialists.
((Lt. Vasyl Hryzenko, Armed Forces of Ukraine) MALE, IN Ukrainian))
“I am here two months already, working out a lot, rehabilitating, and soon I will get my prosthetics.”
((NARRATOR))
Many internally displaced individuals who have arrived in the city are widows with children who lost their homes, or women whose husbands are on the front lines.
In partnership with the Ukrainian Red Cross, the Lviv city government has constructed the Unbroken Mother Center to provide accommodation for them. Mothers and expectant women can stay here for a year after giving birth, receiving medical assistance, shelter, and food, ensuring their well-being.
Maryna Peleh is the mother of three boys from front line town of Nikopol, who initially went to Poland and Spain but returned to Ukraine soon after. She gave birth to baby Artem in Lviv. Now, she said, her sons and she love it here and feel safe.
((Maryna Peleh, mother) (FEMALE, in UKRAINIAN))
“I gave birth here, kids love it here, we have a river and playground, but I hope the war will end soon. I hope the shelling in Nikopol will stop and I can return home.”
((NARRATOR))
Many of the over two hundred thousand people who have temporarily settled in Lviv share Maryna's hope. While they have found a new home in Lviv, they still long to return to their places of origin, even if it means rebuilding their lives from scratch.
Myroslava Gongadze, VOA News, Lviv
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Lviv
Embargo DateDecember 7, 2023 17:32 EST
Byline
Myroslava Gongadze, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
