Adult film star champions prosthetic aid for Ukrainian veterans

"I aimed to shine a spotlight on the issue of post-war rehabilitation. Many collect funds for drones, yet the injured soldiers are often overlooked. I believe I managed to raise awareness about this issue and motivate people to donate towards prosthetics," Yulia Senyuk shared with Politico.

The 29-year-old from Lviv, who attained celebrity as an adult film star and earns by acting in soft adult movies produced abroad, became the ambassador for the "Titanium Rehabilitation" initiative, which aids Ukrainian veterans being treated in a clinic in Kyiv.

The adult film star was involved in two photo sessions with Ukrainian soldiers who underwent amputations due to the war. The campaign entices awareness to the insufficient funds for the prosthetics needed by many Ukrainians who lost limbs during the Russian invasion.

Oksana Zholnovich, Ukraine's Minister of Social Policy, stated that the government can essentially meet these needs. This year, more than £116 million (approximately 4.5 billion hryvnias) has been allocated for rehabilitation assistance. However, foundations report that as many as 59,000 Ukrainians are in urgent need of limb prosthetics. Government schemes are struggling to keep pace with the need, and there is a shortfall of funds for facilities equipped with the latest technologies.

Therefore, Senyuk promptly agreed to participate in this charitable action. She was part of a respectful - fully clothed - photo session with veterans in a pool. She also meets with patients at the prosthetic clinic.

"Initially, I wasn't sure how to approach them. But then, I resolved to act normally, avoiding drawing unnecessary attention to the lost limbs. We simply let the photos be taken," the actress recounted.

The soldiers reacted positively. The star humbly noted that she isn't an expert in rehabilitation but aims to boost the morale of the soldiers by visiting the hospital and having conversations with the veterans. She engages them by sharing amusing anecdotes from her profession. "They find my tales interesting and quite entertaining," the Ukrainian adult film actress remarked.

According to the site, her involvement has received both praise and criticism. Senyuk faces backlash on social media from conservatives accusing her of "immorality" and "seeking fame by exploiting injured soldiers".

Anton Ivantsev, who lost both hands and a leg in the battle of Bakhmut, took part in the photo session and defends the actress. "Thanks to her media presence, Yulia has helped bring our issues to light. She is a patriot, supporting her country. I'm indifferent to the type of content she produces. It's your choice to engage with it or not," the veteran stated.

Source: Politico