Climbing Through War in Ukraine | Roanoke News

In the heart of wartime Ukraine, climbers are turning rock faces into symbols of resilience. At the Zhytomyr outdoor festival, soldiers on leave, beginners learning to chalk up, and cheering crowds unite under the sky—even as air raid alerts buzz. Inspired by Yosemite’s free-spirited climbing culture, this gathering offers more than adventure: it’s therapy, community, and defiance. Young instructors like Andrii Lamei guide first-timers to the summit, turning each climb into a lesson in courage. With profits funding the Azov Brigade and dreams deferred by travel bans, this festival proves that even amid conflict, people build traditions that lift them up—and each other. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/7bde489eda5f2be5