The horrors of war often steal futures, but for one young Ukrainian musician, a philanthropist’s generosity is restoring a path to the world’s biggest stages. Roman Oleksiv, who survived the 2022 Vinnytsia missile strike, will soon receive a custom-made professional PIGINI accordion, widely considered the best in the world, as a gift from Rinat Akhmetov.
Rinat Akhmetov makes the dream of Roman Oleksiv, a survivor of a missile strike, come true by gifting him an exclusive Italian PIGINI accordion
“Rinat Akhmetov personally decided to support Roman and give him the best professional accordion in the world. This is a unique instrument that will be made especially for him. Roman has extraordinary talent, works hard, and has already proved that even after the most difficult ordeals, it is possible to keep pursuing your dream. It is important to Rinat Akhmetov that children affected by the war have opportunities to realise their potential, reach new heights, and build their future,” said Ksenia Sukhova, Director General of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.
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According to the foundation, the handcrafting of this exclusive instrument in Italy will take roughly a year. During a recent trip to the factory, Roman observed the meticulous manual process employed by Italian artisans to create professional accordions. He also learned about the unique sonic qualities of the instruments and engaged in conversation with representatives from PIGINI. For a young man aiming to become a world-class accordionist, the visit brought him a significant step closer to achieving a crucial professional milestone.
Music runs deep in Roman’s family. He was born to a family of accordionists and has been immersed in music since early childhood. His late mother, Halyna, who was an accordionist and teacher, tragically lost her life during the russian missile strike on Vinnytsia in 2022. His father, Yaroslav Olexiv, is a professor, a Candidate of Art History, and a Merited Artist of Ukraine, and Roman is proudly continuing the family’s musical legacy.
The road back to his beloved instrument has been incredibly challenging. The russian attack on Vinnytsia left Roman with severe burns covering 45% of his body, requiring several operations. Doctors were especially concerned about the long-term functionality of his hands. Yet, through persistent rehabilitation and dedicated practice, the young musician has successfully regained the mobility in his hands needed to play again.
His dedication is already paying off. In 2025, Roman won the international bayan and accordion competition InterSvitiaz Accomusic. He now sets his sights on refining his skills further, aiming to perform on the world’s leading stages and establish himself as a top-tier accordionist. The upcoming PIGINI accordion will be a critical asset on this journey.
This gesture is the latest in Akhmetov’s support for Roman. Earlier, the philanthropist provided the young musician with an apartment in Lviv, a location chosen to facilitate easier access to his studies and necessary rehabilitation sessions.
Why it matters: This act of support highlights a crucial, ongoing effort to help a generation of Ukrainian children, whose lives and dreams have been shattered by the war, rebuild their futures. It underscores a commitment to ensuring that exceptional talent, even when faced with unimaginable adversity and loss, has the resources to flourish on the international stage.
Iana Kotyk
Rinat Akhmetov Foundation
+380 99 437 6671
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