An online exhibition by Help Ukraine Gothenburg exploring life after military service, recovery and new possibilities.

Help Ukraine Gothenburg (HUG) presents HUG for Heroes, an online exhibition featuring the personal stories of twelve Ukrainian veterans who have taken part in our recovery and reintegration programme in Sweden.

What does life look like after military service? What does it take to rebuild everyday life, discover new opportunities and look towards the future after experiencing war?

Through portraits, photographs and personal reflections, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the lives of twelve veterans: their experiences, families, ambitions and hopes for the future. Six stories are told together with the veterans' wives or partners, highlighting the role of family and close relationships in the journey towards rebuilding life.

The exhibition is available in English, Swedish and Ukrainian.

More than a story of recovery

Military service changes lives, but it does not define everything that comes after it.

Behind every veteran is a person: a father, a son, a husband, a friend, a colleague. Someone with their own interests, ambitions, relationships and plans for the future.

We created this exhibition to help Swedish audiences see Ukrainian veterans as people first - to get to know them beyond their military service, read their stories and recognise the many roles they have in life beyond service.

About the programme

HUG for Heroes is a comprehensive recovery and reintegration programme for Ukrainian veterans and their families.

Our approach combines physical and psychological recovery with adaptive sports, opportunities to share experiences, and build new social connections.A central part of our work is strengthening veterans' sense of agency: their ability to make decisions, take initiative and shape their own future. We also work to build connections between veterans and Swedish society, creating opportunities for mutual understanding, participation and exchange.

Thank you to all the veterans and family members who shared their stories, and to our partners and donors whose support makes HUG for Heroes possible.