Meet the artists, writers and musicians defending Ukraine

Some of Ukraine’s cultural creators have taken up arms while others battle Russia through poetry, films and concerts, finds Helen Fitzwilliam.

The World Today
3 minute READ

During Russian bombardments of Kyiv, the National Philharmonic orchestra plays on despite power cuts. Musicians perform by the light of battery lamps. The audience is limited to 160 – which is the number of people who can be rushed into the theatre’s underground bunker if the missiles start to fall.

Conductor Yuri Kerpatenko was murdered by Russian soldiers for refusing to collaborate

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