Today, Ukrainian women abroad have become a powerful voice in public and cultural diplomacy. They do not merely integrate into European society; they act as drivers of large-scale social projects that keep Ukraine in the focus of global attention. A vivid example of such effective management in emigration is the memorial run “Honoring Soldiers, Running for the Heroes of Ukraine,” which has been successfully scaling in Copenhagen for the third consecutive year. This year, the event, held in the royal park Frederiksberg Have, brought together the Ukrainian community, diplomats, volunteers, and Danish military personnel. Behind the flawless logistics and deep meaning of the initiative lies the synergy of strong institutions: the NGO Women for Ukraine, the Ukrainian Saturday school “Rodovid,” and the Embassy of Ukraine in Denmark. For the business community, this event serves as a unique case of how the civil society sector, led by women, builds international partnerships and counters global challenges—particularly European “war fatigue.”
The main initiator and coordinator of the run in the Danish capital is Anna Voloshchenko, head of the organization Women for Ukraine. For her, this project is not only a tribute of honor, but also a responsible process of managing social change and rallying the community around shared values:
“For the third year in a row, I personally have been initiating this run in Copenhagen. I undertook its organization the moment I learned about such an opportunity, because I believe this is the least we can do for those who paid the ultimate price in the fight for our freedom and independence. From my observations, each year this initiative finds a tremendous response among Copenhagen’s Ukrainian community. As a co-organizer, I see many people register to run for Heroes who were not public figures, but whom they knew personally—friends, acquaintances, relatives. Therefore, for many, this run is not merely a symbolic event, but a very personal way to honor the memory of a specific person. At the same time, for us as organizers, it is exceptionally important that anyone can join the run, regardless of nationality. The memory of people who gave their lives defending the freedom of their country is a universal value, understood not only by Ukrainians,” notes Anna Voloshchenko.
The project management entails profound psychological and informational work. Anna shares that for participants who do not have deceased loved ones personally, they encourage them to take part. For its part, the team provides information about platforms where these stories are highlighted.
“In accordance with the memorandum with the initiative’s founders in Ukraine, we do not associate this movement with any fundraising—even for charitable purposes. This is fundamentally important, as this is first and foremost a commemorative event, and we want to preserve precisely this meaning. Before the start, we traditionally observe a minute of silence, and after the finish line, we take a group photo. Every year we see that people are in no hurry to leave—everyone wants to stay a little longer, talk, and simply be together. This is where the special value of the run lies, providing a space for support and a sense of unity,” adds the head of the organization.
An essential component of the run’s success was the involvement of the educational sector. From the very beginning, Women for Ukraine joined forces with the Ukrainian Saturday school “Rodovid.” The school’s director, Oleksii Fedoruk, dedicated his run to the legendary pilot, Hero of Ukraine Oleksii Meshcheriakov (call sign “Moonfish”)—the person thanks to whom Ukraine received F-16 fighter jets from Denmark. Oleksii emphasized the strategic importance of nurturing historical memory in children growing up outside their Homeland:
“Historically, Ukrainians tend to have a short memory. Knowing the oppression of the Russian empire, unfortunately, after one or two generations—due to propaganda and the pressure exerted previously by Russia in the Soviet Union—we forgot what Russia truly is. And unfortunately, after gaining Independence, Russia continued to influence Ukrainians and their consciousness. The importance of passing the memory of the Heroes to children at school, in families, and across various spaces is to ensure that at least two or three generations remember and understand whom we are dealing with. Unfortunately, this came at the cost of many sacrifices, and they must not be forgotten or devalued, as they fought for our future. Naturally, at school we will discuss this with the children both after the run, during lessons, and on the Pokrova holiday—the Day of Defenders of Ukraine.”
The project, which is currently coordinated by women in Denmark, possesses a solid nationwide and international foundation. Its founder, Ukrainian veteran, public figure, and head of the NGO “Glorious Epochs of Ukraine” Oleh Durmasenko, underscores the profound transformation of the run, which began in 2018 with a small group of like-minded individuals:
“Over these tragic 12 years, the Ukrainian nation has understood what it means to defend one’s native land… From the very beginning, the main goal was to honor the fallen heroes with dignity. Fortunately, back then there were no such massive casualties as there are now, which has raised the value of this run even higher. The goal of this run, and even its format, is the unification of the Ukrainian nation and an instrument to bring even more Ukrainians into this movement. This run for life is a movement that will endure. We bring remembrance to society, we bring information about our Heroes… This run unites the whole world—on the same day Peru runs, Zealand runs, or Uzhhorod, Lviv, Chernivtsi, all united with one single thought. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!”
Support from official diplomacy confirms the high standard of the event’s organization. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Kingdom of Denmark, Andrii Yanevskyi, personally completed the 5-kilometer distance in honor of serviceman and activist Pavlo Petrychenko (call sign “Investor”):
“I am genuinely glad that Ukrainians consciously attend, participate in growing numbers each year, and bring their children along. Every time Ukrainians gather together in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, or anywhere else, we remind the world of our existence, that the war continues, and that the Ukrainian nation remains resilient and fights for its freedom. Therefore, every such peaceful event, as an expression of Ukrainian strength, reminds the Danes about us. Today’s run for the Heroes represents the resilience of the Ukrainian spirit and the courage of the finest individuals who went to war and gave what is most precious—their lives.”
The ultimate success of any leader lies in the people who embrace their idea. The run organized by Women for Ukraine brought out hundreds of participants with their own deeply personal stories:
Maryna Blokhina (2 km distance), a representative of the diaspora, ran with her entire family—her husband and children—in memory of her fellow townswoman, the legendary combat medic Yana Rykhlitska:
“To me, she is a hero… The Danish people react in various ways, but most ask, show interest, join the run, and offer support… Every time we run the distance, we try to read as much as possible about these heroes as individuals… With this run, we show our gratitude to them.”
Olha Skrypnyk (2 km distance) dedicated her third run in Copenhagen to the memory of a close friend—Hero Serhii Hrubyi (call sign “Khrest”) from Kyiv Oblast, highlighting his incredible courage, calm demeanor, and leadership qualities on the battlefield.
Ivan Marutsan, a volunteer (10 km distance), completed the longest distance in honor of his adopted brother Oleksandr Arnaut (call sign “Ara”), who died 2.5 years ago defending Ukraine.
Borys Pidhurskyi, a physical education teacher (10 km distance), ran alongside his family in memory of his classmate Ruslan Makukha:
“We must show other people, the country of Denmark, that there is a war in Ukraine and that we continue fighting this war at a high cost. The fallen did not perish in vain.”
Nataliia Rozlik (distance: “7 songs”) measured her run in a unique way—by songs, just as her late colleague, “Zaborona Media” journalist Volodymyr Fomichenko-Zakutskyi, used to do:
“Volodia made a conscious decision to defend Ukraine in 2022… He helped document war crimes and retrieved bodies in Bucha… He could not stand aside. Volodia was killed during a combat mission in the city of Pokrovsk. He became the 126th media worker to lose their life as a result of Russian aggression. When asked how far he usually ran, he would say: ‘I run 7 songs.’ Today, my run was 7 songs.”
The management effectiveness of Women for Ukraine is underscored by the event’s ability to engage an international audience. Mikkel Rasmussen, a Danish serviceman whose wife is Ukrainian, ran the distance for Captain Petro Korenkivskyi (who fell on the Donetsk front two weeks prior to the event) and offered a clear assessment of the initiative’s importance for Europe:
“Regarding the message to European society—it is meant to prevent Europe from forgetting that the war continues. There is a phenomenon known as ‘war fatigue’—when people get used to the war, express sympathy, but no longer provide sufficient help. When we hold such events and actively participate in them, we draw attention and bring the issue back to relevance. As a Danish soldier myself, I understand the importance of all this.”
The run “Honoring Soldiers, Running for the Heroes of Ukraine” in Copenhagen clearly demonstrates that modern women’s leadership in emigration serves as a powerful instrument of influence. Driven by a clear strategy and partnerships with diplomatic and educational institutions, the NGO Women for Ukraine not only preserves the community’s national identity, but also transforms personal grief into impactful international solidarity, compelling European society to remain aware and active.
Author: Olena Liaudanskaite
Photo: Anastasia Servyukova