Rinat Akhmetov gives apartment to Roman Oleksiv

By AI, Created 11:14 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Roman Oleksiv, the Ukrainian boy who survived the 2022 shelling of Vinnytsia and became a symbol of resilience, has received an apartment from Rinat Akhmetov through his foundation. The home gives the family a fresh start after years of medical treatment, loss and recovery.

Why it matters: - Roman Oleksiv’s new apartment gives the family stable housing after the 2022 missile strike on Vinnytsia killed his mother and left him with severe burns. - The gift turns a deeply personal recovery story into a practical step toward long-term stability. - The apartment also reflects continued support for a child whose public story has become tied to Ukraine’s wartime resilience.

What happened: - Rinat Akhmetov, founder of the foundation and president of FC Shakhtar, provided an apartment to Roman Oleksiv through his foundation. - The announcement was made in Kyiv on April 29, 2026. - Roman was seven when he survived the Russian missile strike on Vinnytsia in 2022. - The strike killed his mother and caused life-changing injuries.

The details: - Roman has undergone 36 surgeries and extensive rehabilitation. - He continues to recover while excelling in his studies. - Roman remains active in music and dance. - The foundation described the apartment as a chance for the family to feel the warmth of a real home again after loss and hardship. - Natalya Yemchenko, a member of the foundation’s supervisory board, said supporting Roman reflects admiration for his determination and his continued pursuit of his dreams. - Roman recently completed his first 5 km run as part of the Boston Marathon. - He dedicated the run to children affected by Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Between the lines: - The apartment fits a broader public role Roman has taken on as a young ambassador for resilience and support for other war-affected children. - Roman met Pope Francis in 2022. - He addressed the European Parliament in 2025 and received the presidential award “Future of Ukraine.” - He received the international Cinema for Peace Honorary Dove Award in 2026. - Roman’s story is featured in Evgeny Afineevsky’s film, Children on Fire.

What’s next: - Roman is expected to continue his recovery, education and public advocacy. - The new home gives the family a more secure base as that next chapter begins. - Roman’s public work is likely to keep drawing attention to children affected by the war.

The bottom line: - Roman Oleksiv’s apartment is both a humanitarian gesture and a marker of how a child survivor’s story has become part of Ukraine’s broader wartime narrative.