Rising PTSD cases in Ukraine. According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Health, in 2023, the number of patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increased almost fourfold compared to 2021. Additionally, in the first two months of 2024, the diagnosis was established for nearly the same number of patients as for the entire year of 2021. According to various estimates, PTSD can develop in 12-20% of individuals who have experienced a traumatic event or witnessed one.
In March 2023, Olena Zelenska kicked off a communication campaign under the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program titled “How Are You?” It offers practical advice on handling stress, evidence-backed self-help methods, and contact details for psychological support hotlines. Taking to her Instagram, Olena Zelenska revealed that, according to surveys, 70% of Ukrainians grapple with daily stress, with only 2% reaching out for assistance.
Ukraine’s Defence Ministry reveals a number of civilian casualties from unexploded mines. Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has documented 647 incidents involving explosive devices among civilians, affecting 950 individuals. Ruslan Berehul, Head of the Defence Ministry’s Department of Environmental Safety and Demining Activities, reported that 289 civilians lost their lives, with another 661 suffering injuries or mutilation due to undetected, unexploded mines.
In September 2023, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal highlighted the urgent need for $37 billion and over 10,000 deminers to complete Ukraine’s demining efforts. Currently, the country has only 3,000 specialists, with Ukraine’s international partners already allocating $250 million for demining operations.
A ‘tank coalition’ will be formed to support Ukraine. Poland and Germany have agreed to create a coalition of armoured vehicles in support of Ukraine, with other European countries joining as well. This was reported by the Polish newspaper Wprost following a meeting of defence ministers from both states. According to the Polish Minister of Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, the coalition will also include the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy. Both officials also agreed to establish rapid response forces in Europe, which will commence operations in July of this year with a total of 5,000 military personnel—2,500 each from Poland and Germany. Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz also dismissed the possibility of freezing the war between Russia and Ukraine, stating that a frozen conflict would be dangerous and “the victory of Ukraine is a key matter. Today, the security of NATO, Poland, and Germany is at stake in Ukraine,” he assessed.
