Chernihiv

Kent With Ukraine welcomes an important House of Lords debate on Ukraine’s decentralisation reforms and the role that municipal and regional partnerships can play in supporting the country’s recovery, resilience and reconstruction.

Last Tuesday, Gravesham Borough Council took a historic step by unanimously agreeing to establish a formal twinning relationship with the Ukrainian city of Chernihiv. The motion was proposed by Councillor Jordan Meade, Leader of the Opposition, and seconded by the Leader of the Council, Councillor John Burden. Its unanimous approval demonstrated a powerful sense of cross-party unity and Gravesham’s continuing solidarity with the people of Ukraine. The motion recognised Graves

The recent virtual meeting between the Higham Parish Council and the Novyi Bilous Territorial Community marked a step forward to closer cooperation between the villages. Higham (Kent UK) has been formally twinned with the Novyi Bilous Territorial Community (Chernihiv Region, Ukraine) since 21st March 2025. With Dmytro Fedorov, Head of Novyi Bilous community, and Councillor John Grey, Chairman of Higham Parish Council, leading the discussion, the meeting explored practical w

Watch the video highlights from Kent With Ukraine's last working visit to the Chernihiv Region.

Returning to the Chernihiv Regional Scientific Lyceum brought a mix of emotions for the Kent With Ukraine delegation. The school stands as a beacon of hope and resilience amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This visit marked the launch of the Gytha of Wessex Literary Competition, a new initiative designed to connect young people in Kent, England, with their peers in the Chernihiv region through the power of writing. This competition is more than just a contest; it is a brid

Kent With Ukraine Founder Jordan Meade, alongside Kent With Ukraine President Lord Risby, recently visited the Chernihiv Educational and Rehabilitation Centre of the Chernihiv Regional Council. This institution that stands as a powerful symbol of resilience, compassion, and unwavering dedication in the most challenging of circumstances. During the visit, Kent With Ukraine was proud to be able to donate a powerful 2500W charging station to the centre. In a region where power o

Returning to Chernihiv brought a powerful reminder of the strength found in young people facing extraordinary challenges. At the Chernihiv Regional Youth Centre, alongside Lord Risby, we met with remarkable young people who are shaping their future despite the ongoing war and daily uncertainty. Their determination and hope stood out clearly, revealing a generation defined not by conflict but by resilience and unity. Meeting the Youth of Chernihiv The Chernihiv Regional Youth

Over the past few months, Ukraine has endured one of the harshest winters in decades. In the Chernihiv region, temperatures plunged to as low as –27°C, accompanied by heavy snowfall and prolonged periods of extreme cold. Throughout this time, Russia continued its relentless attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving thousands of people without electricity, heating, and, in some cases, even access to running water for weeks at a time. For families already living under

A particular highlight of Jordan’s recent working trip to Ukraine’s Chernihiv region was a visit to the home of film director and screenwriter Oleksandr Dovzhenko in the town of Sosnytsia. More than a stop on an official itinerary, the visit was a prime opportunity for Kent With Ukraine to learn more about Dovzhenko and to connect Ukraine’s past cultural achievements with the present struggle to defend its future. Oleksandr Dovzhenko was born in Sosnytsia in 1894, a small tow

During a recent visit to Ukraine’s Chernihiv region, Jordan, representing Kent With Ukraine , spent time in the community of Kulykivka , where he received an exceptionally warm welcome from local leaders and residents alike. Despite the ongoing challenges of living under constant threat, the visit offered a powerful insight into the resilience, pride, and determination that continue to define this community. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the

Kent With Ukraine recently held a meeting with Chernihiv City Council to discuss plans for supporting the people of Chernihiv over the coming year. This meeting marked an important step toward establishing a municipal partnership between Chernihiv City and partners in Kent. Building a Partnership for Support Hosted by Nataliia Kholchenkova, Head of International Relations at Chernihiv City Council, discussions focused on how Kent With Ukraine can offer meaningful support to C

This morning in Koriukivka, Cllr. Jordan Meade, representing Kent With Ukraine stood quietly at a memorial that marks one of Europe’s darkest moments. Between March 1 and 2, 1943, Nazi SS units and Hungarian collaboration units murdered over 7,000 innocent Ukrainian civilians here. Entire families—men, women, and children—were slaughtered in cold blood. The villagers were murdered using automatic weapons such as sub-machine guns and light machine guns, while some where burned

Kent With Ukraine has delivered nine generators to foster families and a family-type orphanage across the Chernihiv region, providing vital power to some of the most vulnerable children in Ukraine, as Russia continues its deliberate campaign against civilian energy infrastructure. The generators were distributed today to families in the Menska, Sosnytska, Koryukivska, Ponornytska, Semenivska, and Kyyinska communities. In total, they will support eight foster families and one

When children from different parts of the world connect, it creates a powerful bond that transcends borders and cultures. Recently, students at Higham Primary School experienced this firsthand by reaching out to their peers in their twin school of Starobilou Lyceum in the village of Novyi Bilous, near Chernihiv, Ukraine. The staff and students Higham Primary School decided to send cards and letters to children in Novyi Bilous. These messages were filled with drawings, kind w

In November 2024, a significant moment in the story of Kent’s support for Ukraine was reached as the Leader of Kent County Council, Roger Gough, and County Councillor Jordan Meade travelled to the Chernihiv Region, a region that has endured some of the most intense devastation of Russia’s full-scale invasion, to formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between our two regions. This was not simply a diplomatic visit. It was the formalisation of something much deeper:

Jordan was introduced to the delights of traditional birch tree water by Darka Harnyk , who with the team at Repair Together are doing amazing work rebuilding previously occupied villages in the #Chernihiv region of #Ukraine #SlavaUkraini #RepairTogether #StandWithUkraine

The Russians destroyed libraries as libraries represent freedom. Freedom of ideas, freedom of reading, of communication and of that unquestionable right to self-education. Libraries also represent the preservation and celebration of culture and national identity through time. Seeing burnt books and bombed-out libraries is a haunting reminder of how precious these freedoms are and why we must do all that we can to support our Ukrainian friends in their hour of need. At Kent Wi

We were incredibly grateful to Chernihiv City Councillor Юлія Дарницька for inviting them to visit Youth Organisation - aWARe Zone at their new youth hub in Chernihiv. During the visit, Jordan, Rosemary, Rob and Tom had the opportunity to hear the struggles and challenges faced by teenagers growing up in the war. But what impressed them the most was hearing about the aspirations of these young people and the incredible work that they are doing now.