After the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, the entire Ukrainian society united and stood up to defend Ukraine. Not only the professional military but also cultural figures.

The Culture Fights Back project aims to share stories of artists and civil society representatives who have joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Read the stories of Ukrainian musicians, writers, civic activists, painters, ballet dancers, film directors, and actors. Each story is illustrated with heroes’ photos: one from professional civilian life and the other from military service, often taken by comrades-in-arms.