After years in Russian captivity, two Ukrainian veterans who defended Mariupol teamed up with a former scout who went to fight at 18. In spring 2026, they launched Volotsiuha, a veteran-owned clothing brand in Ukraine.
Independence Avenue Media’s Anna Zynevych visits their workshop in the Kyiv region. Maksym Zakharchenko explains how a chance meeting in a bomb shelter led to a business. Oleksandr recalls being forced to sew uniforms for the Russian military as a prisoner of war, and Bakha describes using a needle carved from bone to mend his socks in captivity. Today, they make clothing and bags in their own workshop.
Volotsiuha on Instagram: @volotsuga.group
https://www.instagram.com/volotsuga.group/
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