A Corner of Ukraine at the Edge of the World

Dodo Socks, in an official collaboration with the National Antarctic Scientific Center (NASC), created an entire collection dedicated to the people who explore the world’s edge. Let`s stay warm!

Photo by: Hlotov Serhii

Contents:

Vernadsky Research Base
Why Does Ukraine Need an Antarctic Program?
Ukraine’s ice-class vessel “Noosfera”
Life of Ukrainian Polar Researchers
How Did Penguins End Up on Dodo Socks?
Akademik Vernadsky Station
This is a true Ukrainian outpost in Antarctica. Once a British base known as Faraday Station, it was transferred to Ukraine in 1996 for a symbolic one pound. Since then, Ukrainian scientists have worked there year-round, proving that even the coldest continents can be explored by Ukrainians.
Why does Ukraine need an Antarctic program?
Our polar researchers study climate, the ozone layer, space weather, terrestrial and marine ecosystems. They observe penguins and whales, and measure Earth’s magnetic field. Zoology is a key focus: Ukrainian scientists monitor seal behaviour, penguin breeding success, and the survival strategies of birds in Antarctica’s harsh conditions.
A special feature is the multi-thousand colony of subantarctic penguins (also known as gentoo or “skipper” penguins), which Ukrainian researchers monitor year after year near the station. Their behaviour helps track climate change, krill populations’ adundance (their primary food source), and broader ecological trends across the region. These aren’t just “fun facts for a media” — this data helps us understand how global changes affect wildlife and why protecting biodiversity on land and at sea is vital for the planet’s future.
Photo by: Hlotov Serhii
- Antarctic — Hat 800 ₴ Buy
Since 2018, Ukrainian polar scientists have also been conducting comprehensive whale research near Vernadsky Station. They photograph tail flukes for their identification, use drones for contactless measurements, record whale “songs”, and even collect skin and blubber samples with a crossbow to study the genetics and pollution levels. They’ve tracked humpback whale migrations, recorded rare orca (killer whale) vocalizations, and witnessed the recovery of fin whale populations.
Автор: Savenko Oksana
Ukraine’s Ice Class Vessel “Noosfera”
To deliver expeditions and cargo to the far end of the planet—and to resume oceanographic research after a 20-year pause—Ukraine needed its own vessel. In 2021, the ice-class vessel “Noosfera” joined the Ukrainian scientific fleet. Formerly known as RRS James Clark Ross, it served the British Antarctic Survey and was the very ship that delivered the first Ukrainian Antarctic expedition to Vernadsky Station in 1996.
“Noosfera” is a floating university: it transports people and equipment and enables oceanographic research. Up to 50 scientists can work onboard at once. It’s equipped to conduct studies in any part of the world’s oceans and can remain at sea for up to two months autonomously.
Photo by: Hlotov Serhii
Life of Ukrainian Polar Researchers
Life among icebergs and penguins may sound romantic, but in reality, polar explorers face isolation, extreme weather, and long months away from loved ones. Their daily routine includes shifts, experiments, repairs, and digging out from snowdrifts.
Still, rest is essential. In its free time, the team watches movies, reads, plays board games and billiards—and sometimes gathers in the tiny “Faraday” bar located right at the station. It’s considered the southernmost bar in the world, sharing that title with a local art installation and a chapel.
The Chapel of St. Volodymyr is the southernmost Orthodox religious structure on Earth, built in 2011 with support from donors. Ukrainian polar explorers can visit it on major religious holidays.
The art installation “Home. Memories” is a metal silhouette of a Ukrainian house, built around an old fuel tank and decorated with fragments of embroidery, Kosiv ceramics, a spruce twig, and other symbolic items. It’s designed to remind researchers of the warmth of home. The project was created by Kyiv-based Balbek Bureau and built by the design studio “Workshop of Wonders.”
Celebrating team members’ birthdays and national holidays, traditional Saturday dinners, and a hearty bowl of borshch every weekend—these rituals help maintain morale and bring a feeling of connection to Antarctic life.
How did penguins end up on Dodo Socks?
- Vernadsky Socks 3-Pack 450 ₴
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  Trek Merino — Antarctic 480 ₴
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  Trek Merino — Penguin 480 ₴
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Where did the penguins on Dodo Socks come from? Founder Marta Turetska recalls designing the first “penguin” socks herself, thinking it would be fun. To complete the set, she added two more pairs and named the trio “Vernadsky”—in honor of the Ukrainian Antarctic station.
When designers joined the team, they updated the popular sock set several times, but it always returned to the shopping shelves. Fans loved it—including staff of the National Antarctic Scientific Center (NASC), who took the socks with them to the polar station!
Over time, the mutual admiration between Dodo Socks and NASC grew into a friendly partnership, resulting in a special collection dedicated to Ukrainian polar explorers.
The collection now includes durable merino trekking socks designed to keep feet warm even in Antarctic cold. The gentoo penguin design — a symbol of the station—is accented with icy stripes and colours. Bright orange beanies with a small tag in Ukrainian flag colors and a jacquard label featuring NASC logo elements protect against wind and chill. Velcro-backed patches bring a touch of polar life to everyday cloth, featuring Vernadsky Station, the Noosfera ice class vessel, and Antarctic wildlife like whales.
The new Antarctic collection has travelled 15,000 kilometres to the station, where Ukrainian polar explorers will test it in real Antarctic conditions. Stay tuned to see how warmth and partnership thrive—even on the coldest continent.
Go to the collection