The Ukrainians – Добровольці Божої Чоти

Filming took place in the village of Peski and at the Donetsk airport terminals during the violent clashes between Ukrainian soldiers and pro-Russian separatists in the spring of 2014. Ukrainian soldiers became known as “Cyborgs” for their strength and fearlessness during battles for their homeland.

The brave Cyborgs fought for 242 days at the Donetsk Airport. The fight was long because of its strategic positioning. In spite of that, the Cyborgs did not back down, even though they were under constant fire from tanks and heavy artillery. We use the word “airport” lightly, because truthfully there was no airport anymore, just ruins. The fearless Ukrainian soldiers were able to handle what the concrete walls of the airport couldn’t.

The movie depicts the unique phenomenon and importance of the military volunteering movement in Ukraine. The prominent example is the Right Sector – one of the military volunteering battalion. Many of the Right Sector soldiers took part in the Maidan Revolution in Kiev. The filming crew spent three months in the frontline of the war zone, following the Right Sector soldiers, under constant gun and artillery fire. The Right Sector, other military volunteer battalions, and the regular Ukrainian army were able to defeat the enemy – stopped the Russian aggression and ultimately changed the future for Ukraine.

Some of these heroes lost their lives in battle. Some others will be seen in person during the film. They will also be attending this event, giving you the opportunity to hear firsthand of their time at war as well as to answer any questions you may have. Today, an American audience will have the opportunity to see this war firsthand, as it was endured by Ukrainian soldiers. You will hear about it from the commanders who lived through this horrific war. This movie will take you to the village of Peski and the ruins of Donetsk airport during the most gruesome battles.

You will have an opportunity to feel what solders felt on the front line of the war zone. You will hear the accounts of hopes and dreams of those who left their children, families, and jobs, and risked their lives to protect their country from the enemy.

The following people will be in attendance today: the authors of the film – Leonid Kanter and Ivan Yasen, the main characters of documentary – legendary soldiers, Cyborgs, Ukrainian musician Sergiy Fomenko (Mandry).

This film has already been shown in Germany, Italy, Finland, Poland, Czech Republic, Israel, New Zealand, and Australia.was awarded at the Gdansk movie festival.

English subtitles;

1 hour 25 minutes;

Soundtracks: Oleksa Byk; PGY14