Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Ukrainian Angel of Mariupol visits NP Aerospace

Defence

Ukrainian Angel of Mariupol visits NP Aerospace

Yuliia Paievska, the famous ‘Taira’ Angel of Mariupol who saved 500 Ukranian lives in the conflict visited NP Aerospace’s Foleshill Road facility this week to find out what goes into manufacturing life-saving armour used by Ukrainian soldiers.

Above: (back row left to right) Peter Luczka (Vice Chair of Coventry Ukrainian community), Rosa Hrebenyk (new arrival from Ukraine on the family scheme), Mario Kosmirak (chair of Coventry Ukrainian Community) Yuliia Paievska, 'Taira' Paramedic, frontline combat, James Kempston, CEO NP Aerospace, Valentyn Vorona, Naval Officer, frontline combat medic, Luba Kosmirak (chair of Coventry Ukrainian women’s association), Vladyslav Shatilo, National Guard Officer, Paramedic, frontline combat unit (front row left to right) Prof Renata Gomes, Chief Scientific Officer, BRAVO VICTOR, Oleksii Soloviov, Specialist Coach, frontline combat volunteer, Pavlo Kononenko Chief of Staff, Ministry of Veteran Affairs of Ukraine and Igor Kholodylo, National Guard Officer, Paramedic, frontline combat unit.
Courtesy NP Aerospace

Advertisement
ODU RT

She was accompanied by a group of Ukraine frontline military and humanitarian personnel who are in the UK training for the US Army’s Warrior Games in Miami to recognise the resiliency of wounded, ill, and injured veterans.

Yuliia is the founder and leader of Taira’s Angels, a volunteer medical evacuation unit which has been working in Mariupol to support military personnel and civilians. Other organisations included in the visit were BRAVO VICTOR and Blind Veterans UK, who are hosting the group, along with members of the Coventry Ukrainian community based in Foleshill.

NP Aerospace has manufactured and delivered more than 20,000 sets of life-saving body armour plates and carrier vests to Ukraine military personnel in the last three months and is continuing to increase production to meet demand with the addition of 90 factory operators.

Advertisement
ODU RT

James Kempston, CEO, NP Aerospace, said: “This was a very personal day for our employees who had the opportunity to speak with the individuals using the life-saving products we make on a daily basis. It really puts what we do into perspective when you meet, face-to-face, the soldiers who will one day be saved from the armour you are making. What an honour to meet the Ukrainian Warrior Games team and frontline soldiers. We are pleased to be able to give our support.”

Prof. Renata Gomes, Chief Scientific Officer, BRAVO VICTOR, commented: “Preventing injuries in military and veterans is an important part of BRAVO VICTOR’s research. We are delighted that NP Aerospace uses knowledge and research to protect those serving.”

Advertisement
Hexagon leaderboard
Spectra Group receives first MoD order for GENSS

Defence

Spectra Group receives first MoD order for GENSS

20 May 2026

Spectra Group (UK) Ltd has received its first order from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the recently launched GENSS tactical communications system as a defence unicorn.

Serco awarded £65m US Army mission support contract

Defence

Serco awarded £65m US Army mission support contract

20 May 2026

Serco has been awarded a five-year contract by the US Army worth more than £65 million ($90 million) to support the Planning Programming Budgeting Business Operating System (PPB BOS).

Austability Group acquires majority stake in Nine23

Defence Security

Austability Group acquires majority stake in Nine23

20 May 2026

Austability Group Ltd, which provides expeditionary operational support services for the defence and national security sector, has acquired a majority shareholding (80%) in Nine23 Ltd, one of the UK’s high-assurance managed service providers.

Navantia UK debuts autonomous vessel design

Defence Events

Navantia UK debuts autonomous vessel design

19 May 2026

At the Combined Naval Event in Farnborough today, Navantia UK unveiled its large autonomous surface vessel - LASV75 - as an example of the hi-tech capabilities of its four yards, which are undergoing large-scale modernisation.

Advertisement
ODU RT
QinetiQ to test British Army’s remote-controlled artillery systems

Defence

QinetiQ to test British Army’s remote-controlled artillery systems

19 May 2026

QinetiQ has been awarded a contract from the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group to put the British Army’s newly contracted Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 (RCH155) next generation artillery system through rigorous tests to ensure it is safe to use on operations.

Hexagon releases NCSIMUL upgrade

Aerospace Defence

Hexagon releases NCSIMUL upgrade

19 May 2026

Hexagon’s Production Software Division has announced the latest release of NCSIMUL, strengthening its integrated approach to NC programme verification, simulation and optimisation with a new Selective Simulation capability.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner