Nezlamni Online: Providing Uninterrupted Communication in Kherson

On March 21, Lviv IT Cluster and partners installed 12 communication towers in the Kherson region, providing uninterrupted communication through Starlink terminals. The Nezlamni Online towers were procured as part of the Victory Projects initiative.

The towers were installed near medical facilities in the region to ensure communication access for doctors and residents even in critical situations, as Russian occupiers continue shelling Kherson without pause. The enemy employs all possible types of weaponry, including targeting critical infrastructure.

“We spoke with doctors, and they shared insights into their difficult working conditions. It’s hard to imagine being without communication for an extended period. We’ve experienced hour-long blackouts before, and even those caused panic. Now, imagine being without communication for several days or even longer. It’s a significant problem. That’s why the Lviv IT Cluster and its community members have taken on the task of helping to solve it,” says Stepan Veselovskyi, CEO of Lviv IT Cluster.

“Healthcare facilities must always have electricity, communication, and internet. This project will improve the lives of both doctors and patients by enhancing service provision,” adds Yaroslav Shanko, Deputy Head of the Kherson Military State Administration.

All towers are autonomous and equipped with Starlink satellite internet terminals, generators, and lighting. Instructions are posted on the walls so that anyone interested can easily connect to the internet, which remains available even during power outages.

“This project will create opportunities for uninterrupted communication, our top priority. What may seem outdated for Lviv or Kyiv remains highly valuable for Kherson,” says Mykhailo Lemak, Deputy Head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration.

“It’s important to call your loved ones to say everything is okay and to connect with colleagues for quality work execution. Towers installed near hospitals will ensure that communication is not lost under any circumstances,” adds Yuriy Ohonovskyi, Deputy CEO of Lviv IT Cluster.

The project is implemented with the support of companies and partners of Lviv IT Cluster, including EPAM, Product Madness, and Credit Agricole. The total amount of assistance is approximately 1.2 million UAH.

“Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, EPAM has been actively supporting Ukraine and its people. Within the UA Response program, the company provides assistance in several directions, one of which is humanitarian aid to the population. Nezlamni Online is not just about restoring connectivity in the Kherson region but also about restoring hope and opportunities for people affected by Russian aggression. We believe that through joint efforts, we can return the Kherson region to normal life and support its residents during these challenging times,” comments Dmytro Yakymets, Head of ESG Projects at EPAM Ukraine.

“We are pleased to support the Nezlamni Online project of Lviv IT Cluster because, in our opinion, it is of great importance to the people living in Kherson. It provides the opportunity to stay in touch with loved ones during blackouts, which is also a matter of safety. Credit Agricole takes an active social stance, and we implement useful charitable initiatives every month to support Ukraine. Our total fund for charitable projects under the WE CARE program exceeds 115 million UAH. Therefore, we thank Lviv IT Cluster for the opportunity to contribute to helping the residents of Kherson,” says Victoria Toryanyk, Head of the Brand and Communications Department at Credit Agricole Bank.

Nezlamni Online is a project of the Lviv IT Cluster aimed at providing backup internet connectivity to residents of Ukrainian cities. To prevent problems with internet access during blackouts, the community has implemented a project to create towers that provide constant internet connectivity through Starlink terminals.