Nestled among pine trees just minutes from the Black Sea in Odesa, Zelenaya Gorka — also known as Green Hill — spans over nine hectares and holds enormous potential for Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Originally threatened by commercial housing development prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion, the sanatorium was preserved thanks to the efforts of the local community. Today, it stands as one of the most promising locations in Ukraine for long-term rehabilitation — particularly for children, veterans, and their families.
A Site of National and International Interest
In a country with growing psychological and physical rehabilitation needs, Zelenaya Gorka offers rare advantages: vast green space, existing infrastructure, and close proximity to both medical institutions and the sea. Rather than allow it to fall into neglect or private commercialization, Ukraine now has an opportunity to turn this historic site into a model of inclusive, trauma-informed care.
The site has already drawn the attention of key international partners. During the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Berlin and Rebuild Ukraine in Warsaw, Zelenaya Gorka was presented as a flagship opportunity for international collaboration in the rehabilitation sector. Both AFD (Agence Française de Développement) and the Government of Lithuania have expressed strong interest in supporting its redevelopment.
Crucially, the project has also received architectural backing. Martin Duplantier, President of the French Architects’ Association, personally visited the site and expressed his willingness to assist in its redevelopment. His support reflects a growing European interest in Ukraine’s spatial and social recovery, emphasizing the importance of human-centered, inclusive design.
Local Perspective: Hope from Odesa
Artem Kasparian, a civic leader from Odesa and co-founder of several veteran and rehabilitation initiatives, presented the Zelenaya Gorka concept at both the Berlin and Warsaw conferences. He emphasizes the city’s potential in supporting national recovery:
“People in Odesa hope that the city’s rehabilitation potential will be used wisely. Facilities like Zelenaya Gorka can bring real help to those who need it most — children, veterans, displaced families. We believe this site can become a center of strength and recovery not only for the South of Ukraine, but for the country as a whole.”
Kasparian’s advocacy highlights the growing push from local leaders and civil society to ensure that coastal infrastructure is not wasted, but instead transformed into social assets for recovery.
Voices from the Front: Why It Matters
According to Oleksandr Nahovytsyn, a combat medic, former prisoner of war, and current head of the DOC rehabilitation center in Odesa:
“This place is crucial. After what we’ve seen and lived through — especially the children and veterans — we need safe, structured environments for recovery. Zelenaya Gorka can become one of those rare spaces. I’m ready to provide expert support — because this isn’t just about infrastructure. It’s about dignity, healing, and the future of our people.”
Nahovytsyn, a veteran of the Azovstal defense who spent a year in Russian captivity, now leads efforts to build trauma-resilient recovery models in southern Ukraine. His support reflects the growing consensus among both civil society and professional practitioners that Zelenaya Gorka could become a cornerstone of Ukraine’s human recovery architecture.
A Call for International Partnership
Ukraine’s allies are already investing in energy, defense, and macro-financial stability. But the war’s psychological aftermath requires equal attention. Zelenaya Gorka is not just a project — it is a symbol of how Ukraine can recover with dignity, care, and international solidarity. The time is now to turn interest into commitment, and commitment into coordinated action.
Artem Kasparian
