The European Union shoulders the obligation to support people globally.
The city of Lviv, Ukraine, continues to grapple with the impact of the ongoing war, even though it is not a frontline city. The past few months have seen a significant rise in civilian casualties across Ukraine, with July 2025 marking a three-year peak in deaths and injuries due to missile strikes, aerial bombs, and drones.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Lviv's residents remain resilient, maintaining active civic engagement. Daily protests push for political and legal reforms, reflecting citizens' demands for transparency and reform amidst the broader backdrop of conflict.
International solidarity has been a beacon of hope for Lviv, with cities like Freiburg, Germany, extending a helping hand. Notable efforts include the planned establishment of a new trauma center in Lviv, aimed at treating war victims suffering from physical and psychological trauma.
On Friday evening, Freiburg's Mayor Martin Horn arrived in Lviv. On Saturday morning, he visited a soldiers' cemetery built for those killed in the war against Russia. The most significant appointment was on Monday: the groundbreaking for the new trauma center, named "Maisternia," at the "Unbroken" hospital.
The "Maisternia" trauma center will specialize in art therapy, a unique approach to help war wounded heal emotionally. Horn, visibly moved by the gravity of the situation, expressed Freiburg's solidarity with Lviv despite the vast differences in their living realities to young people who had traveled from all over the country.
On Saturday afternoon, Horn visited the "Unbroken" hospital, where thousands of war wounded are being treated. As a hearse drove through the city, residents spontaneously knelt down in front of it, a poignant reminder of the ongoing toll of the war.
The new trauma center is a testament to the power of international cooperation in times of crisis. It represents a step towards healing for the war-affected people of Lviv and a symbol of hope in a city that continues to endure.
[1] Source: Ukrainian Human Rights Group (UHRG) [4] Source: National Democratic Institute (NDI) Ukraine
- Amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Lviv, Ukraine, the city's residents have maintained active participation in general-news matters, such as daily protests advocating for political and legal reforms.
- International solidarity has been a crucial aspect during the war-affected times, as evidenced by cities like Freiburg, Germany's plan to collaborate on the construction of a trauma center in Lviv that specializes in art therapy, aiming to help war victims heal emotionally.
