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The fourth year of the full-scale war in Ukraine has brought significant challenges to psychological support for Ukrainian servicemen. Ievhenii Kuzmenko, a notable military psychologist, highlights systemic issues and offers well-grounded proposals to improve the mental health care for those in combat. According to Kuzmenko, the psychological toll on soldiers has been immense, underscoring the need for comprehensive support systems. Conversations reveal that soldiers require not just technical training, but emotional resilience training, too. Kuzmenko asserts that showcasing the harsh realities of war to the international community is essential for garnering support. This ongoing conflict highlights the critical need for robust psychological services within the Armed Forces of Ukraine, ensuring that soldiers remain mentally resilient in the face of adversity. The prominent psychologist insists on addressing these concerns promptly to maintain the strength and morale of Ukrainian troops.
What are the main psychological challenges faced by Ukrainian servicemen?
Ukrainian servicemen face numerous psychological challenges, including combat stress, PTSD, and emotional trauma from prolonged exposure to conflict. The ongoing war places tremendous mental strain on soldiers, who must cope with the constant threat of danger and the loss of comrades. Effective psychological support is crucial in helping them manage these challenges and maintain mental resilience. Addressing these issues head-on is vital to ensure the well-being and operational effectiveness of the troops.
How is the psychological support system structured in the Armed Forces of Ukraine?
The psychological support system in the Armed Forces of Ukraine is structured to provide counseling, mental health assessments, and therapy to servicemen. Psychologists like Ievhenii Kuzmenko play a pivotal role in developing programs that address combat-related stress and enhance soldiers' mental resilience. Despite these efforts, the system faces challenges, including resource constraints and the need for specialized training for mental health professionals to effectively support soldiers under extreme stress.
What does Ievhenii Kuzmenko propose to enhance psychological support for troops?
Ievhenii Kuzmenko proposes several measures to enhance psychological support for troops, emphasizing the need for comprehensive mental health training and increased resources for psychological services. He suggests adopting evidence-based practices and creating a supportive environment where soldiers feel comfortable seeking help. Kuzmenko also highlights the importance of raising awareness about the psychological impact of war among international communities to foster understanding and support.
Why is showcasing the harsh realities of war important according to psychologists?
Showcasing the harsh realities of war is important according to psychologists because it raises global awareness about the true impact of conflict. By documenting and sharing these experiences, the international community can develop a deeper understanding of the psychological toll on soldiers and civilians alike. This awareness is crucial for garnering support and resources necessary to address the mental health needs of those affected by the war, ultimately fostering healing and resilience.
What role does international support play in addressing psychological needs of Ukrainian troops?
International support plays a critical role in addressing the psychological needs of Ukrainian troops by providing essential resources, funding, and expertise required to bolster mental health services. Collaboration with international mental health organizations can aid in the development and implementation of effective support programs. This global backing not only helps improve the psychological well-being of soldiers but also strengthens international solidarity and understanding of the challenges faced by Ukraine during the conflict.
Articles Ievhenii Kuzmenko
Europe shifts right: What will upcoming elections across Old World mean for Ukraine? Looking at the list of elections due to take place in European countries this year and next, one cannot help but wonder: how will these elections affect the level of European assistance to Ukraine as it fights a war? In which countries will the vote bring us allies, and where, on the contrary, will it bring determined opponents of support for Kyiv in the Russo-Ukrainian war? 6 583 30 Previously in trend: Information influence of the Russian Federation in the EU Elections in European countries
Vladyslav Heraskevych: "I’m not considering politics at this point. My goal is to compete at next Olympics and contend for medals" If at the end of this year someone in Ukraine attempts to compile a list of the most popular phrases of 2026, the probable No. 1 on this list will be "Heraskevych’s helmet." The athlete, who was known primarily to specialists prior to the Milan Olympics, managed to break through the world’s information "fatigue" from the Russo-Ukrainian war and Ukrainian suffering for a few days. And Vladyslav Heraskevych did this by effectively sacrificing his Olympic medal dream. 5 739 31 Previously in trend: Helmet of remembrance at Heraskevych’s performance
"Prison guards would say to me during shakedowns, "Khyliuk, why are you so thin?" I weighed about 55 kg. Now I weigh 74," journalist Dmytro Khyliuk, one year after captivity When journalist Dmytro Khyliuk was released from Russian captivity in a prisoner exchange in August 2025, and all his colleagues wanted to interview him, Censor.NET decided to wait and speak with Dmytro a year later. We wanted to learn how he had readjusted to life in Ukraine, how he had reconstructed his view of the world after three and a half years in the information vacuum of Russian prisons, and what Ukraine looked like to him in the fifth year of the war. 7 063 3 Previously in trend: Abduction of journalist Dmytro Khyliuk Ukrainian journalists in Russian captivity
How do aircraft hunt down shaheds? Story of pilot who returned from abroad to defend Ukrainian airspace ...He speaks about aviation in a way that is both businesslike and poetic; people like that not only love what they do, but also know how to inspire others to love it too. 10 858 17 Previously in trend: Interview with Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers
Andrii Onistrat: Once public pressure stops working, it will mean only one thing: our Supreme Commander-in-Chief is gradually becoming Yanukovych-like figure Saturday’s news that Andrii Onistrat, a senior officer with the Central Directorate for Innovation Activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and founder of the 68th Brigade’s Dovbush’s Hornets UAV Battalion, had submitted a request for discharge proved significant for many. 10 765 36
"Fedorov’s resignation and subsequent obstruction of his reforms constitute catastrophe that could lead to Ukraine’s defeat in war," Mykyta Poturaiev on resigning his parliamentary seat When MP Mykyta Poturaiev announced this morning that he had submitted a letter to the speaker of parliament tendering his resignation as an MP, surprise was written on the faces of his colleagues seated nearby: "Are you kidding? Is this how you reacted to Fedorov’s resignation?" 13 601 70 Previously in trend: MPs resign their mandates
Patriot games: who is stirring up cold "mini-war" between Poland and Ukraine, and what must be done to stop Putin from applauding If there is one word that can describe Ukrainian-Polish relations here and now, it is "a shame". Moreover, in both of its primary senses. 7 159 24 Previously in trend: Poland and Ukraine relationship
"Going to MMC?" Everything you wanted to know about military medical commissions but never had chance to ask. Interview with head of Central MMC Among the currently crucial acronyms of modern Ukrainian wartime reality — the AFU (Armed Forces of Ukraine), OP (Office of the President), SSU (Security Service of Ukraine), NABU (National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine), TCR & SS (Territorial Centre of Recruitment and Social Support), DIU (Defence Intelligence of Ukraine), etc. — the MMC, the Military Medical Commission, stands apart. As an entity that conducts medical examinations to determine fitness for military service, service during a special period, or to establish the causal link of diseases and injuries, the MMC, in the 5th year of the full-scale war with Russia, determines the fates of millions of Ukrainians. 16 676 50 Previously in trend: Applying for MMC
From clearing rubble after strikes to hunting Russian drone pilots: story of Odesa native with call sign Kalmar — Viktor, where did your call sign Kalmar come from? — I ask the 37-year-old deputy company commander from the Dovbush Hornets UAV Battalion (part of the 68th Separate Airmobile Brigade named after Oleksa Dovbush of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine). — Is it some Odesa story? Or are you a fan of the famous South Korean series? 3 843 1 Previously in trend: Drone operators
EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernová: "It is very important that world sees that Ukraine has cards. Ukraine is not losing, as Russian narratives would have us believe" Monday, June 15, was an eventful day for Ukraine, with a bittersweet aftertaste. It began with a massive nighttime attack by the Russian Federation—involving dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones—which damaged the cathedral at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and left dozens dead and wounded. 3 035 8 Previously in trend: to EU
16-year-old European Chess Champion Anastasia Hnatyshyn: "There was arrival hundred metres from my chess school" ...The chess world is accustomed to talented child prodigies. But even against this backdrop, the success of Ukrainian player Anastasia Hnatyshyn at the European Championship in Batumi was a sensation. Not only because the champion was not yet 16 at the time, but also because the European Championship was a classical chess tournament "for adults." 5 406 6 Previously in trend: European Chess Championship
Head of State Customs Service Orest Mandzii: "There is some tension and concern among businesses that customs will become yet another monster" Customs is often said to give the go-ahead and then take its cut, while the mocking phrase "a customs officer’s little cottage" usually refers to a grand mansion visible from afar. 10 754 17 Previously in trend: Customs Bribe takers at customs offices
Head of NACP Viktor Pavlushchyk: "There is sense that no real demand for justice exists. There are two kinds of demand: for betrayal and for retribution" How do civil servants and law enforcement officers hide their wealth while submitting declarations every year? Are the declarations of the heads of the Territorial Centre of Recruitment and Social Support (TCR & SS), who are being searched by law enforcement officers, verified? Why are NACP (National Agency on Corruption Prevention) findings used in high-profile court proceedings, and do they carry any weight? Viktor Pavlushchyk, head of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, answered these and other questions in an interview with Censor.NET. 8 068 51 Previously in trend: NACP
Life after Orbán: how Ukraine can establish cooperation with Peter Magyar’s Hungary Just a few months ago, while Hungary’s election campaign was underway, we could only imagine which direction the country would take after the vote and whether Ukraine would remain the scarecrow Orban’s propaganda has traditionally used to frighten ordinary Hungarians. 3 223 8 Previously in trend: Relations between Ukraine and Hungary Elections in Hungary
"Access to bank accounts is tool that will make it possible to compare amounts of income received and declared," – Acting State Tax Service head Lesia Karnaukh Collecting taxes during wartime is a difficult and thankless task. Ordinary citizens have no "extra" money, and what they do have must be spent on endless wartime emergencies. Small and medium-sized businesses are barely surviving, prices are rising relentlessly, and people can barely plan ahead. Does this look like a favorable tax climate? 10 525 65
Yaroslav Yurchyshyn: Telegram abuses fact that no one is punished for failing to comply with rules The conversation with Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, chair of the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech, immediately moved onto the "core track" of information policy and media freedoms during the war. There was plenty to discuss: Mindichgate, among other things, showed society that corrupt officials monitor journalists just as they do politicians. 3 417 13 Previously in trend: Ukrainian journalists in Russian captivity
"Last autumn, ’Molniya’ hit our prosphora bakery..." – OCU priest on life and service in frontline Sumy A sunny April day; birds are chirping above the Resurrection Cathedral. Generally, there is silence around, but no sooner had Father Petro and I begun our conversation than sirens wailed through the air, and a voice from the loudspeakers began summoning citizens to shelters. In frontline Sumy, people have long since grown accustomed to these sounds, yet a logical question arises. 2 817 6 Previously in trend: Drone attack on Sumy
"As long as war continues, there will be no elections in Ukraine. This is clearly articulated political and legal position," - Andrii Hevko, member of Central Election Commission Despite the fact that the war in Ukraine has been going on for five years and almost no one is talking anymore about a ceasefire that was supposedly coming soon, the possibility of holding elections remains at the forefront of everyone’s mind who is involved in Ukrainian politics. If for no other reason than that without a renewal of the elite and this key democratic process, Ukraine will inevitably lose the dynamic European future for which it is fighting against the Russian occupiers. 6 069 72
BGMT in action: what mobilized personnel are taught in Ukraine and under what conditions. Report from AFU training center Do you know, dear reader, what BGMT is? In broad terms, you probably do: Basic General Military Training. This is exactly what mobilized personnel without experience, contract soldiers, and, as of September 1, 2025, students are engaged in at training centers. 12 506 56 Previously in trend: basic military training Basic General Military Training (BGMT) for students
Parliament, government, IMF: Will Ukraine break deadlock in relations? The final plenary week of the Verkhovna Rada in March is approaching. This week has been set by the International Monetary Fund as a deadline for Ukraine to pass a series of legislative amendments involving tax increases for businesses and households under the latest four-year credit program approved last month. 3 869 14 Previously in trend: IMF financial assistance
Csárdás before election: why Orban made Ukraine and Zelenskyy prime targets of his campaign, and what happens next One month remains until the first round of Hungary’s parliamentary elections, and with each passing day, the sense grows stronger that this is not about electing the legislature of a country in the heart of Europe, but rather about yet another episode of Star Wars. 9 504 17 Previously in trend: Anti-Ukrainian position of Orban Oil supplies through "Druzhba" pipeline Orban about Zelenskyy
"I consider fall of regime in Iran extremely beneficial for Ukraine. It is a serious blow to Russia," - Serhii Danylov There is no getting around it: Middle East experts are in high demand these days. Everyone wants a professional, level-headed take on Iran, the Iranian regime, the war involving Iran, and the protests in Iran. And since the two leading experts serve, respectively, as the head and deputy head of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, a quiet life is, by definition, out of the question for Ihor Semivolos and Serhii Danylov. 8 465 25 Previously in trend: regime change in Iran
Block impossible to permit: will Telegram be blocked in Ukraine? Here we go again: the idea of blocking Telegram is once again being actively debated in Ukraine at the national level. Senior government officials, politicians, experts and social media users are all writing and talking about it. 6 465 40
Commander of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment Oleg Shyriaiev: There are no bad soldiers, only bad commanders who cannot teach In a conversation between Censor.NET and the commander of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, Oleg Shyriaiev, the discussion initially focused on his unit’s current operations in the Zaporizhzhia direction. Quite quickly, the conversation turned to harsh, sometimes brutal topics: the psychological state of the busified, who are brought to the assault unit; alcoholism and drug addiction among soldiers, and what to do with them in war. 11 799 33
How can Ukraine’s energy system and each of us get through minus 15°C? Tips from expert Olha Babii Recently, Ukrainians have had to learn the basics of the country’s energy system at an accelerated pace. 13 894 61 Previously in trend: Shelling of energy and gas infrastructure
Bill on sanctions against Russia: Senator Graham promises, Trump is in no hurry Yesterday’s tweet by prominent Republican Senator Lindsey Graham that President Donald Trump had given the green light to pass the sanctions bill against Russia that Graham is promoting caused a moderate wave of excitement in Ukraine and among its supporters abroad. 5 393 25 Previously in trend: Sanctions against Russia U.S. sanctions against Russia
Here we go again with referendum. Why Trump and Zelenskyy are tossing ball back and forth The latest meeting between the presidents of Ukraine and the United States, held as part of the peace talks, left ordinary Ukrainians with optimism, pessimism and a thick fog of uncertainty in roughly equal measure. 6 048 24 Previously in trend: Peace negotiations Zelenskyy-Trump meeting
For Trump, or for ourselves? What Ukraine needs to take care of when preparing for first post-war elections A specter is haunting Ukraine — the specter of presidential (and Verhovna Rada) elections. The possibility of holding such elections as early as next year, in 2026, is being discussed by the president himself, the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada, members of parliament and financiers, television and radio hosts, and a wide range of experts. 4 768 21 Previously in trend: Elections in Ukraine post-war elections
How to extract trillion from "shadow"? Major interview with Director of the ESBU, Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi, about beneficiaries of schemes, cash limits, and new tools for investigations The recent high-profile successes of NABU and SAP in the "Mindichgate" case have not only boosted the standing of these agencies in the eyes of Ukrainian society but also increased the pressure on other law enforcement bodies and institutions tasked with fighting corruption and shadow schemes, where the state loses while individuals enrich themselves. 12 135 21 Previously in trend: Tsyvinskyi appointed as new director of BES
From Avdiivka dugouts to European gold: how grandmaster Ihor Kovalenko, after years on front line, helped Ukraine’s national team become champions ...A month ago, the world’s media were full of praise for him: a Ukrainian serviceman who has been on the front line since the start of the war not only went to the European Championship with Ukraine’s national team, but also made a key contribution to the team’s gold, scoring 6.5 points out of 8 on board four! 5 989 3
"List 527": how Mindichgate spawned spinoff in which law enforcement feeds mafia files on anti-corruption campaigners The anti-corruption serial dubbed "Mindichgate" never lets the audience get bored: from one episode to the next, not only the people and the amounts change, but the very genre of the story as well. 14 082 22 Previously in trend: Mindichgate
Yermak and Arakhamiia are still in place, coalition isn’t: how Servant of People faction spoke to its president Tell me, what did we actually expect from this rare meeting between President Zelenskyy and his "Servant of the People" faction? 13 362 18
How our energy sector is being protected and what Ukraine can expect this winter "So we’re not going to build any more protective structures?" – "I’d wait. But, f***, to be honest, it’s a waste of money, just throwing it away…" This dialogue, taken from the huge trove of the Mindichgate tapes, hit listeners especially hard. Why? Because it ruthlessly hits the nerve of autumn 2025, with substations smashed by the enemy, grinding schedules of power cuts and NABU audio recordings circulating in which powerful figures, among other things, siphon off funds that were supposed to go towards protecting Ukraine’s energy sector. 7 450 8
How are UAV units fighting against Russia? Board game has been created in Ukraine that explains details of "drone war." Have you heard the name "Dronovody"? No, it’s not a book or even a film, it’s a new board game, created and field-tested by Russo-Ukrainian war veteran Andrii Mochurad and his comrades-in-arms. 3 685 16
Kudrytskyi out on bail but pressure is still on. What next? The case of Volodymyr Kudrytskyi remains in the public spotlight. What’s more, this is only the beginning. On October 28, the State Bureau of Investigation detained the former head of NPC Ukrenergo; the following day, the Pecherskyi District Court remanded Kudrytskyi in custody for two months with bail set at 13 million on charges of "abuse of office and misappropriation of funds of a state-owned company." 5 495 6 Previously in trend: Kudrytskyi’s case
Chief Medical Officer of National Guard of Ukraine Vsevolod Stebliuk: ’Doctors should not have mobilization exemption. There must be rotation’ Ukrainian medical scientist, public figure and bard, Doctor of Medical Sciences, professor, honored physician of Ukraine, laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology, and a People’s Hero of Ukraine. 9 123 25 Previously in trend: Rehabilitation of military Evacuation of the wounded Military medicine
Commander of aerial reconnaissance platoon, callsign Baton: "Elimination of apes who came to Ukrainian soil is now taking place daily on industrial scale." ...At the beginning of the war in 2022, he vowed not to shave until Ukraine’s Victory. Since then, Andrii has come to resemble either Gimli from The Lord of the Rings or Hagrid from the Harry Potter series. A Ukrainian Hagrid of sorts, defending his land from the evil creeping in from the north. 9 674 5
Facts and meanings. Oleksa Shalaiskyi’s royal gambit ...Saturday morning in Kyiv’s Pozniaky district. I’m holding the phone, and my temples are pounding after the call, Oleksa Shalaiskyi passed away last night. 6 722 5
"I imagined storming treelines and dugouts, just like guys do," UAV pilot, call sign "Ket" ...She was 20 when she signed a contract with the 110th TDF Brigade. Since then, Kateryna Krepysheva, call sign Ket, has flown first heavy bomber UAVs, then fixed-wing UAVs. She has fought on the Kupiansk, Pokrovsk, and Vuhledar directions, and in Zaporizhzhia and Kursk regions as well as in Sumy region. 27 151 17 Previously in trend: Women in AFU Drone operators
"Vampire" UAV operator, call sign Kolektor: "My job is simple: get to position, take controller in my hands and make b***ards hurt badly" …For the interview with Censor.NET, Kolektor showed up in a balaclava, a decorative one at that: a menacing skull adorned with vampire fangs 4 041 6 Previously in trend: UAVs
Sumy region on fire, Sumy - under attack. Report from region, which has come under particular pressure after Kursk operation ...The evening train Kyiv-Sumy stops on the first platform of the Sumy railway station. Getting out of the carriage, the Censor.NET correspondent thanks the conductor. Then an air raid alarm starts to howl in the air. 9 319 6 Previously in trend: Shelling of Sumy region Strike on Sumy
"...I had already said goodbye to life in my mind. I thought: if I’m going to die, let it be in battle, not shot in back," – call sign Rico It would not be an exaggeration to say that the story of 51-year-old Anatolii Ostapchuk is, in many ways, an encyclopedia of this war. 15 576 4 Previously in trend: Tactical medicine
"Back then, there were more mine-blast wounds. Now, no matter what you ask guys, they say: drone flew in, drone, drone..." - war veteran, anaesthesiologist at Sumy Central City Hospital, Maryna Bilinska About life in the Sumy region today; about how people here live in the midst of death. Also, how doctors operate on wounded soldiers, and why Sumy, unfortunately, still has a lot of ordinary people from the series "What’s the Difference"... 13 269 7 Previously in trend: Tactical medicine
"My dream is to hit something harder. Tanks, large ammo depot, or rare radar station" – UAV operator Liana Kononchuk ("Dovbush’s Wasps") In her drive to be as useful and effective as possible, call sign Konon joined the "Dovbush’s Wasps" — the UAV battalion of the 68th Separate Jaeger Brigade named after Oleksa Dovbush. 5 869 13
"...Chechens approached from rear, shouting ’We’re friendlies!’ But my brother-in-arms didn’t buy it: "Friendlies, my foot — you’re wearing red tape!"- platoon commander of NGU, call sign Levi …Svitozar Zaiats joined the war at the age of 23. His very first combat experience proved that the National Guard was lucky to have the young railway worker: a cool head, no trace of panic, and natural leadership made Svitozar an effective soldier and later, a platoon commander. Once again, war revealed who among men is best suited to operate under its harsh laws… 130 767 25
Commander of "Dovbush’s Hornets," call sign Liutyi: "We have many ideas for using various types of drones. But we need people for that. And we need them now" Major Viacheslav Shevchuk, call sign Liutyi, belongs to the category of commanders who speak about their own path in the war only as a last resort. Only if a journalist specifically asks. But when it comes to various aspects of the war, relations with his soldiers, or reforms in the Armed Forces — he is more than willing to talk. 10 751 19
After-action review should also be implemented for medics, just as it is done by regular military – Viktoriia Kovach (Avicenna), head of medical unit of Third Army Corps Viktoriia Kovach quickly corrected the Censor.NET journalist: "I’m no longer the head of the medical unit of the Third Assault Brigade, but of the Third Army Corps. I’ve been handling medical support in the Army Corps for about a month now. We are shaping the policy for delivering this medical support within the new system." 6 765 8
How is psychological support provided in AFU in fourth year of full-scale war? Look at problem through eyes of military psychologist Vitalii Fisun A simple conversation with Armed Forces of Ukraine officer and military psychologist, Captain Vitalii Fisun, quickly evolved into an in-depth interview filled with systemic observations and well-grounded proposals. From the very beginning, our interlocutor was ready for a serious discussion about the problematic state of psychological support for Ukrainian servicemen. Censor.NET had no objections. 8 828 14
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