On October 4, Los Angeles will host “Voices from Ukraine’s Front Lines,” a meeting with Ukrainian veterans. During the event, invited veterans Oleh Bonchynskyi, Mykola Melnyk, and Denys Haida will speak to an American audience about their personal combat experience, modern drone warfare, Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, the veterans’ movement, and international support for Ukraine.
This was reported Globe4Ukraine.
The meeting will take place at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in downtown Los Angeles. Organizers emphasize that its goal is to give Americans an opportunity to hear directly from people who took part in defending Ukraine and who are now engaged in civic, humanitarian, and advocacy work.
“Three Ukrainian veterans. Three perspectives shaped by firsthand experience. One important conversation about the realities of modern war,” Globe4Ukraine announced.
Oleh Bonchynskyi, Mykola Melnyk, and Denys Haida will speak before the American audience. Each represents a different area of veteran and civic engagement.
Mykola Melnyk is a senior lieutenant and company commander who combines combat experience with work in law and public policy. According to the organizers, he has contributed to the development of more than 150 legislative initiatives. Melnyk also founded Brave Children of Ukraine, which supports children who have lost parents because of the war.
The organizers note that Mykola Melnyk now “speaks to international audiences about modern warfare while advocating for support for Ukraine and for children who have lost parents because of the war.”
Oleh Bonchynskyi has more than 10 years of military service and has received a number of awards. Alongside his civic work, he supports fellow veterans and continues his education, focusing on issues related to the future reconstruction of Ukraine’s agricultural sector.
Denys Haida is a veteran of the Ukrainian Volunteer Corps and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Following his combat experience, he became involved in humanitarian initiatives aimed at helping children and veterans whose lives have been changed by the war.
“These men are not only defending Ukraine on the battlefield — they are also advocates, community leaders, and supporters of children who have lost parents while defending Ukraine, freedom, and democracy,” Globe4Ukraine said in its announcement.
One of the central topics of the meeting will be the transformation of modern warfare and the growing role of drones and new technologies on the battlefield. The veterans are expected to speak about the changes they witnessed firsthand during their service and the lessons of Ukraine’s combat experience.
A separate part of the discussion will focus on abducted Ukrainian children and war crimes, as well as life after combat, veteran advocacy, and support for Ukraine abroad.
“Together, they offer a rare, unfiltered, personal perspective on what is happening in Ukraine today — from battlefield innovation, drones, and rapidly evolving technology to the human realities of courage, leadership, loss, and resilience,” the organizers said.
The program also includes a discussion of Ukraine’s security and the significance of Ukrainian experience for the future national security of the United States. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask the veterans their own questions.
The “Voices from Ukraine’s Front Lines — Los Angeles” event will take place on October 4 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, 1816 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, California. It is being organized with the participation of the County of Los Angeles Military & Veterans Affairs and Globe4Ukraine. Chaplain Dov Cohen is serving as the event producer.
Photo: Screenshot of the event announcement
Author: Inna Mikhno