May 2026
Massive Russian Missile and Drone Barrage that Struck Kyiv Hits Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
The bombardment that hit Kyiv the night of May 23 was one of the largest on the capital, involving hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. Blast waves shattered windows and damaged facades and ceilings at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
Historic buildings were damaged. Five academic buildings were affected, along with the University Library, the Museum, and the Cultural and Arts Center. Among these buildings are unique historical landmarks such as the building of Halshka Hulevychivna, the Academy’s founder, dating from the late sixteenth century. Also damaged are the 18th Century Circular Building with its large columns overlooking the historic Kontraktova Square; the Monk Cells Building of the Brotherhood Monastery from the first half of the nineteenth century, where restoration work was being completed; as well as the New Academic Building from the mid-nineteenth century, which also faces Kontraktova Square in Kyiv. Thankfully, at night there were no casualties on campus.
Russia seeks not only to destroy buildings. It seeks to destroy Ukraine’s culture, history, identity, and future. Yet the spirit of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy remains unbroken. Classes continue. Students continue to learn. Faculty continue to teach. The community continues to serve Ukraine.
Like for more than 410 years, today, while Ukraine defends its freedom on the battlefield, the Kyiv Mohyla Academy continues its mission of educating the next generation of leaders that will rebuild the country.
We turn to you with an urgent request for help
We ask you to stand with Kyiv-Mohyla Academy at this critical moment to restore the damaged buildings immediately. We are overwhelmed by the response we received within 48 hours from many of the alumni and friends of KMA living in the United States. Hundreds of windows need to be replaced, roofs and ceilings need to be restored, damage from shattered glass needs to be brought to safety. Your contribution, whether large or small,will help preserve an institution that has shaped Ukraine’s future for centuries and will continue to do so for generations to come.
Please make a gift today and share this appeal with your family, friends, colleagues, and organizations.
Russia damaged our buildings. It will not destroy our mission. We will rebuild.
Ways to Donate: Zelle : mail@kmfoundation.org
Online : https://www.kmfoundation.org/
Check paylable to: Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America
P.O.Box 46009, Chicago, IL 60646
SCAN THE QR CODE TO DONATE
With gratitude,
Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America
Supporting Education. Defending the Future!
Across the Ocean: A Ukrainian-American Effort to Support Veterans and Build Ukraine’s Future
Three American cities, dozens of meetings, hundreds of participants, and one shared mission — to support those defending Ukraine today and prepare them to lead its future tomorrow.
This spring, the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America launched the charitable tour Across the Ocean: United in Support of Ukrainian Veterans in support of the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. The tour brought together veterans, diplomats, educators, donors, and Ukrainian-American communities in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New York around one powerful idea: investing in veterans through education and leadership development is an investment in Ukraine’s future.
The delegation included Yana Chapailo, Director of the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center; Mariia Savrun, Director of Development and Partnerships; and veteran and Marine Dmytro Ternovyi, one of the Center’s first graduates.
Chicago: Community, Education, and Solidarity
Chicago became the first stop of the tour and welcomed the delegation through a series of community events and meetings with Ukrainian-American organizations. The guests visited Ukrainian churches, the Ukrainian National Museum, and the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, while also participating in interviews with Ukrainian-language media in the city.
A highlight of the Chicago program was the May 2 charity evening at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. The evening’s keynote speaker was Reverend Volodymyr Kushnir, a longtime chaplain and advocate for Ukrainian soldiers and newly arrived immigrants in the United States.
Many Ukrainian students currently attending universities in Chicago joined the gathering, continuing connections first established during last year’s 410th anniversary celebration of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy organized by the Foundation.
Washington: Advocacy and Leadership
In Washington, D.C., the delegation focused on advocacy meetings with policymakers, diplomats, and institutions supporting Ukraine.
One of the most emotional moments of the visit was the delegation’s trip to Arlington National Cemetery, where the Ukrainian guests honored American service members and reflected on the shared sacrifices of both nations.
The delegation also met with representatives of U.S. senators’ offices, American institutions, and diplomats from the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States. Veteran Dmytro Ternovyi spoke about the urgent need to support Ukrainian veterans transitioning into civilian and public leadership roles.
A particularly meaningful meeting took place at the office of Tammy Duckworth, herself a combat veteran of the Iraq War, whose story of service and advocacy resonated deeply with the Ukrainian delegation. The team also met with staff members from the offices of Richard Durbin and Marcy Kaptur, where the presentation of the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center programs was received with great interest.
Dmytro Ternovyi’s personal story — from serving as a Marine and sustaining severe injuries near Avdiivka to continuing his education and public service — made a particularly strong impression. “Thank you for your service. I wish you to become a leader in the Ukrainian Parliament someday,” one American official told him while firmly shaking his hand.
The team also visited the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, where they met with Professor Eric Patterson, who expressed interest in sharing American veteran support experiences with Ukrainian counterparts.
On May 7, the Washington charity event took place at Ukraine House. The keynote speaker was William Taylor, former US ambassador to Ukraine, one of the most respected American voices on Ukraine. Ambassador Taylor emphasized the critical importance of supporting Ukrainian veterans and educational institutions during wartime and reconstruction. A longtime supporter of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, he was previously named an honorary professor of the university for his contribution to Ukrainian-American relations.
New York: Diplomacy and Global Support
The final stop of the tour was New York City, where the closing event took place on May 9 at the historic Ukrainian Institute of America.
Among the distinguished speakers was John Herbst, former ambassador of the US to Ukraine, current director of the Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council and one of the leading American experts on Ukraine and Eurasia. Ambassador Herbst highlighted the importance of veteran leadership, democratic resilience, and educational investment in Ukraine’s future.
Another featured speaker was Ambassador Andrii Melnyk, Ukraine’s representative to the United Nations, who reaffirmed his support for the mission of the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center and stressed the importance of sustained international solidarity with Ukraine.
The New York event brought together diplomats, journalists, alumni, philanthropists, and supporters of Ukraine for conversations about leadership, education, and postwar recovery.
Building Ukraine’s Future Through Veteran Leadership
Over the past two years, the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center has graduated more than 120 veterans, delivered hundreds of hours of educational programming, and built partnerships with businesses and international organizations. Its mission is to help veterans transform military experience into civic, professional, and public leadership.
The Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America has played a key role in supporting the Center’s creation and continued development.
During the tour, Foundation president Marta Farion presented awards recognizing individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to Ukrainian education and veteran initiatives. Honorees included Selfreliance Federal Credit Union, Heritage Foundation of First Security Federal Savings Bank, Jaroslawa Z. Johnson,President and CEO Ukraine Moldova American Enterprise Fund, Dr. Myron Wojtowycz, Ms. Halyna Traversa, Dr. Alexander & Anna Kosenko, Ms. Zirka Voronka, Ms.Suzanne Stetkevych, Mr. George Chopivsky, President, Ukrainian Development, Company (UDC), the Deychakiwsky Familly: Nadia, Orest, Yuri, Nicholas.
The Across the Ocean tour became more than a fundraising initiative. It served as a bridge between Ukraine and America, between veterans and diplomats, between universities and communities, and between people united by a belief in Ukraine’s democratic future.
As the Foundation’s leaders emphasized throughout the journey, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy has become a truly global community - one that continues to work for Ukraine, even across the ocean.
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Honors International Philanthropists and Human Rights Leader
National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy has awarded honorary distinctions to three internationally recognized figures whose work has significantly contributed to education, civil society, and support for Ukraine.
By decision of the University’s Academic Council, James Temerty and Barbara Cassin were named Honorary Doctors of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, while Oleksandra Matviichuk received the title of Honorary Professor.
The university grants honorary titles to Ukrainian and international leaders whose contributions advance science, education, public life, and support for Ukraine and Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
James Temerty
Canadian philanthropist of Ukrainian origin James Temerty has been one of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’s most important international partners. His support has included initiatives at Kyiv-Mohyla Business School, international exchange opportunities for students and faculty, the development of medical education at the university, and broader strategic growth initiatives for the Academy.
Barbara Cassin
Barbara Cassin, a member of the French Academy, is internationally recognized for her work in philosophy of language, rhetoric, and sophistics. Her landmark project, Dictionary of Untranslatables: A Philosophical Lexicon, has had a major influence on contemporary philosophy and humanities studies by exploring how language shapes thought and meaning across cultures.
Oleksandra Matviichuk
Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Center for Civil Liberties and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, was honored for her leadership in defending human rights and documenting international crimes committed during Russia’s war against Ukraine. Ms. Matviichuk is an alumna of Kyiv-Mohyla Business School.
Through numerous advocacy initiatives and international campaigns, Ms. Matviichuk has become a leading global voice about justice, accountability, and democratic values in wartime Ukraine.
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy noted that the honorary distinctions recognize individuals whose ideas, values, and actions shape today’s intellectual and civic landscape while strengthening international solidarity with Ukraine.
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Scholar Joins International European Integration Research Project
Roman Petrov, Doctor of Law and Professor in the Department of International and European Law at National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, has joined an international research project examining the future relationship between the European Union and non-EU countries.
The project, “The Future of Europe: Public and Elite Preferences Regarding Relations Between European Union Countries and Non-EU States,” will be led by the research team at Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
The research will focus on how public opinion and political elites in countries outside the European Union view future relations with the EU and what factors shape those perspectives. A major part of the project will examine how attitudes toward European integration and EU membership have evolved in Ukraine, particularly in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the country’s growing integration with European institutions.
The initiative is being implemented through a joint program of the Research Council of Norway and the National Research Foundation of Ukraine aimed at integrating Ukrainian scholars into active international research collaborations.
Participation in the project further strengthens Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’s international academic partnerships and highlights the university’s growing role in shaping discussions on European integration and democratic development.
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Launches Master’s Program on Russian Studies and International Security
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has revealed a major gap in global expertise - the need for specialists who understand the logic of the Russian regime, its mechanisms of influence, and the tools of modern authoritarian aggression.
In response, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy has launched a new master’s program, “Russian Studies: Challenges to International Security,” designed to provide students with interdisciplinary expertise at the intersection of international relations, security studies, and postcolonial analysis.
According to Maksym Yakovlyev, co-founder of the program and Head of the Department of International Relations at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, the initiative differs significantly from traditional international relations programs.
“Unlike classical international relations programs, our Russian Studies program is specifically focused on researching Russia, its domestic and foreign policy, and authoritarianism. Russia is viewed holistically - as a security threat,” Yakovlyev explained.
The program combines the study of international security processes with critical analysis of Russian imperial narratives, propaganda, and colonial practices. Students will also study Open Source Intelligence Techniques, international law during wartime, and tools for analyzing Russian influence in different regions of the world.
Anton Suslov, co-director of the program and senior lecturer in the Department of International Relations, emphasized that the approach taken by Kyiv-Mohyla Academy differs from many Western academic models.
“Most Western programs about Russia focus on Russian culture or language studies. Our program critically examines Russia through the lens of the threat it poses to Ukraine and to the international order,” Suslov noted.
The new program reflects Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’s broader effort to rethink regional and security studies in light of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the changing realities of global security.
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Launches International Initiative for Heritage Preservation and Recovery
On May 14–15, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy hosted an inaugural symposium dedicated to the future opening of the NaUKMA Research Center for Heritage Preservation and Recovery - a new international initiative focused on protecting cultural heritage in times of war and postwar recovery.
The Center is being developed in partnership with Cornell University, including the Department of City and Regional Planning and the Cornell Institute for Archaeology and Material Studies, as well as Roblee Historic Preservation LLC and Nova Ukraine.
The first day of the symposium focused on presenting the Center’s vision and future projects. Discussions included support for Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’s undergraduate archaeology program, research and preservation efforts on the historic Tarkhankut Peninsula in the Black Sea, and veteran rehabilitation through participation in archaeological expeditions. Participants also explored the creation of archaeology-related educational courses for military personnel.
The symposium brought together representatives of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, the Ukrainian National Commission for UNESCO, the State Archival Service of Ukraine, and the Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine — institutions expected to play an important role in future collaboration with the Center.
Special attention was given to the role universities can play in preserving cultural heritage during wartime. Representatives from universities in Kyiv, Dnipro, Lviv, Odesa, and Kharkiv shared their experiences working with local communities and implementing heritage preservation initiatives under wartime conditions.
The second day focused on practical case studies and international experience. Participants discussed veteran rehabilitation through archaeology using examples from the British project Waterloo Uncovered and the Ukrainian initiative “AMPHORA - Ukraine.”
Speakers also examined the challenges of protecting cultural heritage in conflict zones, including in Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as the importance of cooperation with local communities in post-conflict recovery efforts.
The symposium became a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue between archaeologists, architects, historians, preservation specialists, and educators. Organizers hope the event marks the beginning of long-term international cooperation in the field of cultural heritage preservation and recovery.
More than ever, Ukraine’s experience demonstrates that protecting cultural heritage is not only about preserving the past - it is also about rebuilding identity, memory, and resilience for the future.
Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Polsky Foundation co-sponsor the screening of “Children in the Fire”
A special screening of the acclaimed documentary “Children in the Fire” will take place on June 3 at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., with the program and film screening beginning at 5:45 p.m.
The event is co-hosted by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, The Polsky Foundation, and Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America.
The evening will feature a special appearance by Oscar and Emmy nominated director Evgeny Afineevsky, internationally recognized for his powerful documentaries documenting war, human rights, and the resilience of the human spirit.
The film tells the deeply moving stories of Ukrainian children whose lives were shattered by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Through personal testimonies and intimate footage, Children in the Fire reveals the devastating consequences of war on children — occupation, deportation, separation from families, trauma, and loss — while also illuminating extraordinary courage, hope, and the determination to live on with love and dignity.
The screening in Chicago comes at a critical moment, as the world continues to confront the long-term humanitarian consequences of the war in Ukraine.
The event in Chicago is open to the public, and admission is free with registration.
Event information and registration:
Children in the Fire - Chicago Screening Registrationhttps://www.facebook.com/events/2025260585037560/