“Khreshchena” is a figure who inspires and commands deep respect among Azov fighters. Defined by deep love and an unwavering spirit, she has devoted herself to Ukraine’s defenders for more than 11 years. Like all defenders of Mariupol, she gave everything to defend Ukraine. Together with her brothers-in-arms, she lost the city that had become her home.
On the occasion of her 74th birthday, Tetiana “Khreshchena” Tepliuk received a home she can once again call her own, thanks to the “Heart of Azovstal” project and the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.
The origins of the project trace back to the Battle of Mariupol, when Azov was organizing the defense of Azovstal. At that time, Azov commander Denys Prokopenko received “Azovstal” communications layout from “Metinvest” workers to help build an effective defense. Despite the overall complexity of the situation, one of the topics discussed was support for severely wounded fighters evacuated by helicopter. Many of them had lost their homes and all their property in Mariupol. Rinat Akhmetov agreed to support these fighters.
The program was later expanded to include all Azov service members who returned to Ukraine from captivity but had lost their homes. More than 300 of them have received new housing through this initiative.
Providing housing for service members, regardless of unit, must be a priority for socially responsible businesses, military structures, and the state as a whole. Supporting the military is an investment in the only force that truly guarantees Ukraine’s security.