Ukrainian Nonprofit Heart of Azovstal Partners with Dog Tag Inc. to Urge Immediate Release of Ukrainian Prisoners of War through New Taste of Freedom Project

Through the sale of contest-winning desserts using a recipe created by a Ukrainian veteran, the Taste of Freedom project will share stories of courage and resilience from the Ukrainian prisoners, and help strengthen support for their release

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Heart of Azovstal, a nonprofit organization founded by Rinat Akhmetov that provides comprehensive support to Mariupol defenders, announced Taste of Freedom, a new project with DC-based Dog Tag Inc. to help advocate for the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war and raise international awareness about their ongoing plight. Through this long-term partnership, Heart of Azovstal and Dog Tag will exchange experiences and valuable insight about the reintegration of veterans into society. A unique collaboration at Dog Tag's bakery will also help promote Ukrainian culture and traditions.

Dog Tag Inc. equips veterans, military spouses, and caregivers with the tools and education to enable resilience, find renewed purpose, and forge community beyond the military.

To help kick off this partnership, Heart of Azovstal collaborated with Ukrainian TV channel 1+1 to host a recipe contest in which Ukrainian veterans submitted recipes for a Ukrainian dessert. A panel of celebrity judges selected the winning recipe, a Cossack honey cake baked by Oleksandr Didur, a Mariupol defender and freed prisoner of war.

The cake will be sold in Dog Tag's bakery, located in Washington DC's historic Georgetown neighborhood, beginning in February, the same month that marks the three-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Sales will continue for one month, through March 20th, and whole cakes will be available for order as well. Additionally, Oleksandr Didur will travel to the U.S. to personally advocate for international support in freeing Ukrainian defenders.

Oleksandr Didur served in the 36^th Separate Marine Brigade, and suffered severe injuries when fighting to stave off Russian forces invading Mariupol in April 2022. He was captured by the enemy and held in captivity for nearly fifteen months before being released through a prisoner exchange in July of 2023.

His honey cake recipe includes a traditional sour cream-based frosting, along with a cranberry filling and honey and lemon juice glaze.

Dessert sales will include a card with the name and story of one of the Ukrainian prisoners of war. Each sale will thus help raise awareness about the ongoing situation facing Ukrainian prisoners of war, and directly support their eventual release and rehabilitation.

"We are incredibly excited to be partnering with a group that truly understands and honors the sacrifices made by veterans, in the US and beyond, and is committed to ensuring they have the skills to lead a productive life once their service has ended," said Natalya Yemchenko, who is a member of the Supervisory Board of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation. "These treats are just the beginning – we are excited to deepen our relationship with Dog Tag and lift from their expertise to enhance Heart of Azovstal's support of Ukrainian defenders."

"It's been an honor to work with the Heart of Azovstal team, who are so dedicated to serving Ukrainian defenders returning to their families and communities. Dog Tag is a veteran service organization that serves the whole person, and the opportunity to share a model of resilience grounded in community and confidence with more veterans in this tangible – and delicious – way, through the Taste of Freedom celebration, is truly special. We look forward to sharing more workforce development, supporting those who serve, and more recipes for success," commented Meghan Ogilvie, CEO of Dog Tag Inc.

About Heart of Azovstal

Heart of Azovstal is a comprehensive support initiative for the defenders of Mariupol and their families, founded by Rinat Akhmetov. The NGO has built a unique ecosystem of support, ranging from rehabilitation to self-realization. Its five assistance programs include "Return", "Health", "Community", "At Home" and "Future."

About Dog Tag Inc

Dog Tag Fellows earn a business certificate from Georgetown University (DC program) or Loyola University Chicago (Chicago program); bring their coursework to life by learning the ins and outs of running a successful business in the bakery; build community with each other; and enhance their wellbeing by committing time to introspection, storytelling, and personal growth.

Our fellows see and value themselves differently after they graduate and continue on their own journeys with greater confidence, resilience, and direction – an achievement described by many as nothing short of life-changing.

SOURCE Heart of Azovstal