A milestone gala concert marking the 10th anniversary of Revived Soldiers Ukraine (RSU) took place in Chicago, honoring a decade of dedicated support for severely wounded Ukrainian soldiers on their path to recovery. The celebration gathered more than 1,500 guests at Compass Arena, creating an evening filled with humanity, gratitude, and unwavering solidarity.
This was reported by Revived Soldiers Ukraine.
According to Revived Soldiers Ukraine, the event opened with a dynamic performance of the Vyshyvanka School of Dance, whose energetic Hopak immediately electrified the audience. Bishop Benedict Aleksiychuk led a prayer for fallen heroes and peace in Ukraine, offering blessings to the foundation’s team for their tireless work.
The stage later welcomed renowned Ukrainian artists — Oleksandr Ponomariov, Mykhailo Khoma (DZIDZIO), and Vasyl Popadiuk — whose performances blended classical music, folk traditions, and contemporary Ukrainian sound. Organizers emphasized that it was “an evening filled with gratitude, pride, and faith in the resilience of the Ukrainian spirit.”
RSU President Iryna Vashchuk-Discipio reflected on the foundation’s decade of work:
“Each of us has our own frontline. Our soldiers fight on the battlefield, and we fight here — helping them recover after severe injuries, walk and run again, embrace their children, and live without pain.”
Medical Director Dr. Yevhen Pavelko thanked American partners, especially medical teams at the University of Illinois Chicago Hospital — Dr. Pier Giulianotti, Dr. Chandra Hassan, Dr. Robert Carroll, Dr. Ankit Mehta, and NP Oksana Burydanyk — for their crucial role in treating Ukrainian defenders in the United States.
A particularly emotional moment was the appearance on stage of wounded Ukrainian soldiers currently undergoing treatment and prosthetics in the U.S.: Maksym Korzh, Illia Haiduk, Maksym Orlo, Vitalii Bielkin, and a Belarusian volunteer known by the callsign “Wolf.”
The evening’s traditional charity auction added another highlight. Items included a Ukraine national team soccer ball, a jersey signed by Andriy Shevchenko, wine from Bakhmut, a book signed by Valerii Zaluzhnyi, and boxing gloves signed by Oleksandr Usyk. All proceeds will support the treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian service members with severe injuries.
Photo: Revived Soldiers Ukraine.
Author: Danylo Pievchev