An adult film actress caused controversy in Ukraine with her initiative. While the soldiers rejoice, the people riot

Iulia Seniuk, known by the stage name Josephine Jackson, a Ukrainian adult film actress who has collected more than 200 million views on dedicated platforms, is using her celebrity status to raise funds for Ukrainian soldiers who suffered amputations in the war.

“The porn actress rehabilitates the military. Wow!”, Seniuk told POLITICO. “We wanted to draw attention to the issue of rehabilitation after injuries. Because a lot of people fundraise for drones, but forget about prosthetics. I think I managed to attract attention, because more people started collecting donations for prosthetics.”

The 29-year-old actress from Lviv, western Ukraine, has become an ambassador for Tytanovi Rehab, an initiative of a Kiev clinic involved in the rehabilitation of more than 30 Ukrainian military amputees.

Seniuk took part in two photo shoots with Ukrainian servicemen who suffered amputations in the war, aimed at drawing attention to the lack of funding for prostheses, which have become essential for thousands of wounded Ukrainians since the start of the war.

Kyiv does not disclose how many people need prostheses, Oksana Zholnovych, the minister of social policy, told Ukrainian media, adding that the government is able to cover these needs.

This year, more than 4.5 billion hryvnias (111 million euros) have been allocated to support the crippled soldiers, and additional funds for prostheses would not be needed, said Olena Kulchytska, Zholnovych’s adviser.

However, according to the Prosthetic Foundation, about 59,000 Ukrainians need prosthetic limbs. They can cost between $46,000 and $90,000 each, according to a specialist center. Dozens of Ukrainian clinics and various initiatives are involved in the rehabilitation of military and civilian amputees. Most rely on government programs and donations, but say they don’t have enough money.

Under these conditions, in February, Seniuk’s friend came up with the idea of ​​using the notoriety to generate interest in the prosthetics center in Kiev, and she agreed.

She was invited to swim in a pool and took part in a photo shoot with the military. “At first I didn’t know how to talk to them. But then I decided to act normal and not focus unnecessary attention on the lost limbs. I took pictures and they asked me to make tiktoks with them“, Seniuk said.

The soldiers were delighted with this initiative, and the actress says that she is trying to lower their foreheads: “I just come to talk to them, to distract them, to tell them anecdotes about my profession, which is so interesting to them. They shine after my visits, as I have been told.”

But this initiative has also attracted criticism.

Seniuk has been attacked on social media by conservative Ukrainians, who accuse her of doing PR on behalf of suffering soldiers. Pornography is illegal in Ukraine, which is why Seniuk works abroad.

Anton Ivantsiv, who lost both hands and a leg in the battle for Bahmut, took part in the photo session and defended the actress. “Iulia helped draw attention to the problems of seriously injured people. She organized a donation drive. Unfortunately, state programs cannot provide good prostheses,” he told POLITICO.

“As far as the content it produces, I don’t care. It’s a media product, you can choose whether to consume it. Iulia is Ukrainian and a true patriot“, he also said.

Publisher: DC

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