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Yana Rudenko (Ukrainian: Яна Руденко; born 1999) is a Ukrainian student, activist, and survivor of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Her work focuses on promoting justice, accountability for war crimes, and cultural awareness of Eastern Europe.
Yana Rudenko | |
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| Nationality | Ukrainian |
| Education | Economics and Management (Bachelor's, Lviv), Public Administration (Master's, Leiden University) |
| Occupation(s) | Student, activist |
| Organization(s) | Adriatic-Baltic-Black-Azov (ABBA) Student Association; DroneAid Collective |
| Known for | Activism, public speaking, social media advocacy |
Early life and education
editRudenko was born and raised in Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine. She pursued a bachelor's degree in economics and management at Lviv Polytechnic. During the initial stages of the 2022 Russian invasion, she was in Bucha, where she experienced weeks under Russian occupation, witnessing war crimes and enduring harsh conditions without basic necessities.[1]
Career and activism
editIn mid-2022, in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Rudenko relocated to the Netherlands as a refugee. Her experiences shaped her decision to study public administration at Leiden University Campus The Hague to contribute to global peace and justice. She has spoken at international events, including the Cleveringa Meeting in The Hague, where she shared her personal experiences and highlighted the importance of accountability for Russia's aggression.[2][3]
Yana Rudenko is the founder and president of the Adriatic-Baltic-Black-Azov (ABBA) Student Association. ABBA aims to foster understanding of Eastern European cultures and politics while addressing the ongoing effects of the conflict in Ukraine. Events organized by ABBA include a Q&A session with Crimean Tatar leader Refat Chubarov.[4]
Ms. Rudenko is also a co-founder of the DroneAid Collective, an initiative based in the Netherlands that engages displaced Ukrainians and rehabilitating veterans in building drones for use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Through workshops held in cities across the Netherlands, participants learn technical skills such as electronics and soldering while assembling drones used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence missions. In the first year of its existence, the initiative has raised over €150,000 in funds and produced almost 300 drones and plays a dual role in supporting Ukraine's defence efforts and fostering the rehabilitation of participants. DroneAid Collective collaborates with the nonprofit Eyes on Ukraine, which supplies drones and other humanitarian resources to the frontlines of the conflict.[5][6][7]
On 13 May 2024 Rudenko participated, as one of the ten winners of the NATO Summit Challenge, in the fourth NATO Youth Summit, which was held in Stockholm.[8]
Social media and advocacy
editRudenko uses social media to raise awareness of war crimes and combat misinformation.[9] She has organised fundraising campaigns, raising more than €8,000 for humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Her activism also highlights the oppression of minority groups, such as Crimean Tatars and Circassians, and the need for global accountability against aggression.[4][2] Yana Rudenko's work has been recognised for its contributions to raising awareness about the effects of war and the importance of justice. She continues to advocate for global solidarity and cultural understanding through her academic and activist efforts.
References
edit- ^ "Blood on the stairwell: Inside the brutal occupation of Bucha". cnn.com. CNN. 2022-04-07. Archived from the original on 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
- ^ a b "'Now I know what war is'". Leiden University Fund. 23 November 2023.
- ^ "Cleveringa Meeting The Hague". Leiden University. 23 November 2023.
- ^ a b "'The dream of studying abroad kept me going'". Leiden University. 10 August 2023.
- ^ "Oekraïense veteranen bouwen drones voor hun land". defensie.nl (in Dutch). Ministerie van Defensie. 23 August 2024. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
- ^ "Drone Workshops for the Ukrainian Armed Forces". Ukrinform. 6 May 2024.
- ^ "У Нідерландах збирають дрони для України". tsn.ua (in Ukrainian). ТСН. 6 May 2024. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
- ^ Wallström, Monika (15 May 2024). "NATO top participated in NATO Youth Summit in Stockholm". fhs.se. Swedish Defence University. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
- ^ "Ukrainian Activist Faces Another LinkedIn Ban Amidst Alleged Crackdown on Voices Against Russian Aggression". kyivpost.com. Kyiv Post. 2023-11-29. Archived from the original on 2023-11-29. Retrieved 2024-12-14.