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New book sheds light on the silent strength of Ukrainian women

An intimate portrait of fifty Ukrainian women whose lives were upended by Russia’s full-scale invasion

May 8, 2025

2 min read

May 8, 2025

2 min read

London, 8 May, 2025 — Some books arrive quietly—but leave a lasting mark. Ordinarily Unusual: The Quiet Reinvention of Ukrainian Women is one of them. 

Written by Andrew Wrobel, this new book offers an intimate portrait of fifty Ukrainian women whose lives were upended by Russia’s full-scale invasion. They are teachers, founders, mothers, doctors. None of them set out to be heroines. But when war shattered everything familiar, they reinvented what survival—and courage—look like. 

These are not stories of combat. They are stories of what comes after. 
After the bomb falls. 
After the border is crossed. 
After the life you knew disappears. 

Told in first-person, each chapter begins on 24 February 2022—marking the precise moment their world changed. What follows is a deeply human account of fear, grief, resilience and reinvention. From shelters to new countries, from panic to purpose, these women show us what it means to rebuild. 

The book speaks to universal themes: 
– Reinvention under pressure 
– Identity in times of crisis 
– The endurance of the human spirit 

Ordinarily Unusual is not just about Ukraine. It’s about how ordinary people respond to extraordinary times. 

Out May 8, 2025, the book is available in print and digital formats on Amazon. 

25 per cent of net proceeds will be donated to UNITED24, the official initiative launched by the President of Ukraine to support the country’s reconstruction. 


About the author

Andrew Wrobel is a reinventionist—a strategist, connector, and analyst who sees beyond the obvious. He helps individuals, businesses, and governments turn disruption into opportunity, guiding them through reinvention in an era of constant change. 

A specialist in business transformation, investment strategy, and market positioning, Andrew has spent over a decade advising governments and businesses on how to stay competitive in an evolving world. His expertise lies at the intersection of cultural, geopolitical, and economic forces, allowing him to bridge local realities with global opportunities.

Andrew’s career spans business reinvention, strategy and foresight, education, journalism and film making. Before stepping into advisory roles, he worked across television, radio, print, and digital media, distilling complex realities into compelling narratives. Today, that skill remains central to his work—whether mentoring leaders, shaping high-impact strategies, or writing his weekly column.  

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