Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The Harmony Volunteer Project Center hosted an open dialogue, "Women's Courage and Compassion," dedicated to the role of women and volunteers at the front and in the home front. The event brought together students, volunteers, community leaders, veterans, participants of the Special Military Forces, and humanitarian volunteers.
“War has an unwomanly face” is a phrase that has become a symbol of how unnatural war is for women and how great their sacrifice is.
A woman's heroism is a quiet act of bravery that saves the world when it collapses. The meeting discussed the power of compassion and the strength of character. In war, a woman is a soldier, a sister, and the very hope of life.
Valentina Kanivetskaya, a UAV operator and navigator with the call sign "Sakura," shared her experience: "I volunteered for the front to protect my children and my homeland. Serving in a UAV may seem easy, like playing with a joystick, but in reality, it's a daily grind: equipment delivery, camouflage, topography, and so on. Innovation never stands still, and it's always necessary to learn and develop."
Her position was supported by her husband, reconnaissance group commander and head of the unmanned systems service, Bohdan Kanivetsky, call sign "Shogun": Having UAV operators operating in a specific combat zone significantly simplifies missions. This includes not only engaging the enemy with fire without unnecessary personnel losses, but also reconnaissance and participating in humanitarian missions—for example, delivering water, medicine, and food packages to hard-to-reach areas.
During an open and honest discussion, special attention was paid to the role of humanitarian volunteers, whose work is also crucial in helping people and supporting military personnel.
Volunteers and humanitarian mission workers are a special category of heroines whose heroism often remains less publicized, but no less significant.
The home front is the second front. Volunteer work of humanitarian mission volunteers, headquarters
For 4 years, the SVO volunteers-polytechnicians within the framework of the activities of the student Headquarters
The event also included a humanitarian aid donation from the Youth Council of the Leningrad Region House of Friendship. Participants decided to contribute to the general humanitarian aid collection being held at the Polytechnic University Volunteer Projects Center.
I'm glad to be back at the Polytechnic. We once opened the first student headquarters here together with "Harmony."
Elena Rodina, a physician, volunteer for the SVO humanitarian missions, a reserve officer, and the head of the civil society "Help for Fighters," spoke to students about medical care and humanitarian support.
Other speakers also took an active part in the discussion of issues of patriotism, volunteerism, and support for military personnel:
Sergey Skoriantov is a veteran of the Air Defense Forces, served in the separate detachment "Night Wolves" of the international brigade "Pyatnashka", took part in the liberation of Avdiivka, deputy chief of staff of the regional branch of the All-Russian Public Movement "Yunarmiya" in St. Petersburg; Anzhelika Kanayan is a volunteer of humanitarian missions of the Air Defense Forces, emergency situations, awarded the medal "For Faith and Loyalty", the award "For significant contribution to the provision of volunteer assistance to participants in the Special Military Operation and residents of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics", head of the youth club "Unconquered Frontier" of the Teenage and Youth Center "LIGOVO"; Alexander German is a participant of the Air Defense Forces, director of the Nevsky Front Charitable Foundation, member of the Association of Veterans of the Air Defense Forces; Nikolai Petrov is a veteran of the SVO, participated in battles as part of the 41st motorized rifle regiment, 72nd motorized rifle division of the 44th army corps, a graduate of the Polytechnic Institute, and a student of the Harmony Center.
During the open discussion, invited guests shared personal stories, discussing their experiences in combat, humanitarian missions, supporting soldiers and civilians, and the role of mutual aid and volunteerism. Particular attention was paid to women's participation in humanitarian work, both at the front and in the home front, their strength of character, and their ability to maintain humanity even in the most difficult circumstances.
Nikolai Petrov noted that as a student at the Polytechnic University, he always tried to be active and participated in many volunteer activities. This helped him during combat missions. Nikolai volunteered for the front, fully aware and conscious that this decision would change his life forever. He also noted the importance of letters, talismans, and toys that soldiers receive at the front along with humanitarian aid: Sometimes this link to the outside world, to civilian life, has incredible power, motivating them to go into battle, live, and survive. Every soldier has such talismans, which they keep close to their chest.
The students asked the heroes questions. They discussed why and how people can get involved in volunteer work today. Representatives of partner organizations and volunteer associations joined the discussion, including members of veterans' organizations, volunteer rescuers, and the student squad of the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps (VSKS).
Such encounters remind us that kindness, support, and mutual responsibility are an important part of the university community and society at large. Darya Shanina, leader of the VSKS student brigade at the Polytechnic University, described her impressions: "That day at the Polytechnic University was truly warm and poignant. We listened to those who know about the VSKS firsthand. Looking at the fragile young women, volunteers, and veterans, you catch yourself wondering: how do they manage to contain so much strength, tenderness, and willingness to help? For us, VSKS volunteers, this conversation was special—the guests' stories made us realize anew that true patriotism lives in the heart, and compassion requires no less courage. It was touching, as they spoke of their connection to their homeland, that being a defender is not only a man's role, and that such encounters change us, making us purer and more humane.
The students were deeply impressed by the open, simple, and honest conversation. Grigory Silivirov, a student at the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade at SPbPU, shared his impressions: "The event, which focused on women's courage during a special military operation, was a truly profound revelation for me. Thanks to the guests who helped our soldiers, I realized how vital the support of ordinary citizens is during such difficult times. What struck me most was that a humanitarian volunteer, a fragile woman with a C, D, and E driver's license, had to travel to the front line to transport humanitarian aid. I'm very glad that our people are helping the soldiers. I'm sure this motivates the soldiers to fight for their homeland."
IPMEiT student Evgeny Efimov added about the significance of such events: "The meeting was heartfelt, which was unexpected for me. We heard stories from the war zone firsthand. The importance of such events cannot be overstated. These are real stories of real heroes and true patriots of their homeland. One such hero for me was Elena Rodina, a volunteer in the deep rear, providing humble soldiers with everything they needed. Sleeping less than four hours a night and constantly being in danger couldn't sow doubt in her: 'Why am I doing this?' The meeting demonstrated the importance of both sides, both those on the front lines and those on the home front, including women. This inspires respect and pride for the country."
The meeting concluded with creative performances by students of the Humanities Institute, who perform in hospitals as part of the university headquarters volunteer group.
During difficult times, civic solidarity and a willingness to help others become a crucial part of public support. And our Harmony slogan has been relevant since 2017: "Together we can do more!" notes the Center's director, Tatyana Nam.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.