We are not only Kharkiv
MISSION:
Every resident of Ukraine receives quality medical care and effective medications based on accurate statistical data.
VISION:
Everyone in Ukraine has access to modern and effective medicine.
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We started as an initiative in Kharkiv. Today, Mission Kharkiv is an organization implementing nationwide support programs that save lives and drive systemic change.
Our Founding Story
In January 2022, Ross Skowronski, a Spanish national with Ukrainian roots, arrived in Ukraine. At the time, he was completing his Master’s degree in Mathematics, seeking a tranquil environment in the Ukrainian countryside to finalize his research. However, just one month later, his plans were irrevocably altered by the full-scale Russian invasion.
Trapped in the besieged city of Kharkiv, Ross quickly transitioned from academic pursuits to humanitarian action. As the only Spanish citizen remaining in the city, he became a critical voice for the Spanish-speaking world, sharing the dire realities of Kharkiv’s residents and advocating for aid. Within weeks, his calls for help resulted in over 70 tons of life-saving medications arriving in the city. He rallied a dedicated group of volunteers, including pharmacists, health workers, and emergency physicians, laying the foundation for what would become Mission Kharkiv.
Mission Kharkiv began on February 2022, driven by the need to address disorganized pharmaceutical supply chains. The organization started by cataloging and coordinating incoming medical aid, ensuring proper prescriptions and alignment with Ukrainian patients' treatment plans. Over time, its efforts expanded, assisting other NGOs and becoming a vital pharmaceutical hub in eastern Ukraine.
In April 2022, tragedy struck when the Kharkiv oncology hospital was bombarded, displacing many patients and leaving others stranded without access to essential medications. Mission Kharkiv responded with urgency, launching Ukraine Cancer Relief its first specialized program focused on oncology. The initiative provided chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other critical cancer treatments while facilitating the safe evacuation of patients to the EU.
Mission Kharkiv’s efforts extend beyond immediate crisis response. The organization focuses on building sustainable systems to improve healthcare delivery, from streamlining logistics and creating transparent supply chains to collaborating with local and international partners. What began as a local initiative in Kharkiv has now expanded nationwide, addressing healthcare challenges across Ukraine. By tackling both urgent and long-term needs, Mission Kharkiv ensures essential medical support remains accessible even under the most challenging circumstances.
Executive Team
People behind the mission. Experts behind every decision. Humans behind every response.
Mission Kharkiv is built on the strength, commitment, and expertise of its people. Our team brings together medical professionals, pharmacists, humanitarians, logisticians, and patient advocates — all working as one to protect health and deliver care in wartime Ukraine.
The driving force behind Mission Kharkiv, Rostislav leads with vision, resilience, and a systems-oriented approach to humanitarian response.
He shapes strategy, oversees partnerships, and ensures integrity at every level of the organization.
Oversees internal coordination, donor communication, and daily cross-team operations. Ensures efficient implementation of humanitarian projects and supports organizational growth.
Previously worked in the State Labor Service and Donetsk Commercial Court.
Brings experience in public administration and legal advising into humanitarian leadership. Holds an M.Sc.in Management, Law, and Economics.
Oversees strategic growth and program expansion. Shapes high-impact partnerships and supports the scaling of medical and infrastructure programs across Ukraine.
Over 7 years of experience in humanitarian roles, including positions as COO and CEO. Received a medical and legal education, Master of Public Administration in Healthcare.
Responsible for financial policy and the effective use of donor funds.
Holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, an MBA, and a Ph.D. in Economics, with over 15 years of experience in project management.
Develops and implements Mission Kharkiv's communication strategy.
Manages digital initiatives and coordinates the communications team, ensuring interaction with the media, donors, and partners.
Responsible for the organization's public positioning and communications. Has 6+ years of experience in marketing and operations management.
Responsible for digital communications at Mission Kharkiv.
Ensures the website is up to date and participates in the creation of printed and digital materials.
Has a degree in philology and is fluent in English and Spanish.
Responsible for securing grant funding for Mission Kharkiv’s projects and strengthening the foundation’s institutional capacity.
Develops project concepts and prepares funding proposals for international and national donors in collaboration with the team, ensuring that each proposal meets donor requirements and addresses the actual needs of the people Mission Kharkiv supports.
Build bridges between Mission Kharkiv and a wide network of institutional partners, donors, and civil society actors. Advance sustainable development and innovation across all programs, work on long-term strategy, and fundraising
With a medical degree from Lviv National Medical University, I have over 3.5 years of experience in the humanitarian field, including roles as Head of Medical Humanitarian Warehouse and Head of Partnerships.
Supervises all clinical protocols, liaises with healthcare institutions, and ensures ethical and evidence-based care across our oncology and mental health programs.
Received a pharmaceutical education.
Over 6 years of experience in the pharmaceutical area, over 2 years of experience in state medical procurement, including oncology and rare diseases.
Responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing the organization’s humanitarian programs in the areas of health care, protection, and support for vulnerable populations.
Ensures effective collaboration between project teams, donors, partners, and local communities; monitors the quality of project implementation, the achievement of planned results, and compliance with humanitarian standards.
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Coordinates program implementation, ensuring the strategic and effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Builds a strong team, brings in experts, and ensures the effective implementation of programs. Holds a master’s degree in psychology.
Maintains HR documentation, supports employees, and ensures order in the team’s internal processes.
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Coordinates daily processes, supports the team, and helps ensure the smooth operation of the operations function.
Responsible for maintaining accounting records, preparing financial statements, and coordinating audits.Holds a college degree in economics and has work experience in the humanities.
Supports financial operations and record-keeping Mission Kharkiv to ensure traceability and clarity in spending.
Experienced in accounting, financial planning, and tender management in the Ambulance Service, with a focus on digitizing and optimizing reporting systems. M.Sc. in Management of Organizations.
Manages medical inventory, quality control, and patient counseling within the Cancer Medication Support program. Ensures safe storage, regional distribution, and pharmaceutical compliance for oncology medications.
Graduated from the Kharkiv Pharmaceutical Institute. Has worked continuously in the field since then, with expertise as a compounding pharmacist, pharmaceutical analyst, and sales manager.
Brings over 30 years of professional experience in pharmacy practice.
Does everything possible to ensure that no request goes unanswered and no one is left without support.
Ensures clear communication and attentive service for every request.
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Oversees the cold-chain and emergency logistics system. Manages secure deliveries of cancer medications and coordinates our Pharma Bunker facility.
Leads emergency first aid training under the Save the Workers initiative.
Ensures standardization of trauma response education in high-risk settings.
Advisory Board
Their vision and commitment inspire change every day
Business Advisor | DeepTech & HealthTech
M.Sc. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, François Paillier is a Business Advisor specializing in DeepTech and HealthTech ventures, supporting founders and innovation-driven organizations in turning complex science and technology into credible business strategies, partnerships, and growth opportunities. With a background spanning genetics, bioinformatics, and entrepreneurship, he brings a rare combination of scientific depth and strategic business insight to projects at the intersection of innovation, healthcare, and impact."
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Holds an M.A. in Humanitarian Assistance and is a humanitarian professional with experience supporting emergency response and humanitarian strategy in complex crisis settings. She has worked with USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, Save the Children, and NORCAP, with field experience in Ukraine, Haiti, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Bangladesh.
Technology Advisor
A process automation expert and project manager with a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering and extensive experience in business process improvement and workflow optimization.
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Has over 20 years of experience engaging and working on human rights, migration, and humanitarian action, with a focus on supporting civil society and locally led initiatives. She has worked across Europe, Magreb, West Africa, and Ukraine, engaging with grassroots organisations, social movements, and public institutions. Her work centres on migrants’ rights, women’s rights, and the role of local actors in shaping responses to crisis and recovery. She is particularly interested in how local experiences can inform broader advocacy and policy processes. Jara currently works with ActionAid as Director for Eastern Europe, contributing to the coordination of the regional response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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Has over 30 years of experience in international development and emergency response, with deep expertise in disaster risk reduction, project cycle management, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity strengthening.
We are united by one purpose – to bring care where it's most needed, and to never stop until access to quality healthcare becomes a right, not a privilege, for every person in Ukraine
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