In a series of powerful speeches, media appearances and meetings, visiting Ukrainian war veteran and amputee 21-year-old Ruslana Danilkina showed the indomitable courage, resilience, and determination of the Ukrainian people.
In Australia for Ukraine’s 33rd Independence Day commemorations, Ruslana attended Ukrainian Independence Day and rally events in Melbourne and Sydney and met with the Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Ukraine, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and high-powered business people in Sydney.
Ruslana sought to raise awareness about the impact of russia’s war and to raise funds for the Superhumans Centre, a state-of-the-art modern rehabilitation centre in Lviv, Ukraine, where she works as a first contact consultant.
Accompanied by Oksana Ilenkiv, the Superhumans Centre Fundraising Manager and Partnership Department, Ruslana and Oksana inspired all with their mission to give Ukrainian amputees the superhero life they deserve.
In a surprise offer, StyleRunner even reached out to provide Ruslana with a new outfit!
Ruslana was in Australia at the invitation of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) and Future Ukraine, the AFUO’s DGR-registered charity which contributes to rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in Ukraine. Future Ukraine is a proud sponsor of the Superhumans Centre.
It is officially estimated that around 50,000 people in Ukraine will require prosthetics by the end of 2024, although unofficial estimates indicate that figure is closer to 100,000.
Check out the SBS TV World News feature segment and speech by Lee Tarlamis OAM MP in the Victorian Parliament about Ruslana down below or here: https://www.youtube.com/@afuo.australia/videos