Photos show Ukrainian war veterans as they find healing and hope under the stage lights

February 20, 2026 Administrator
Photos show Ukrainian war veterans as they find healing and hope under the stage lights

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — War veterans living with severe injuries from Russia's invasion of Ukraine have taken the stage in Kyiv, transforming personal trauma into powerful storytelling through an adaptation of "Eneida" by Ivan Kotliarevskyi, a Ukrainian reimagining of Virgil's "Aeneid." Directed by Olha Semioshkina, the amateur troupe spent nearly a year preparing for its premiere at the Kyiv National Academic Molodyy Theatre. The production blends epic poetry with humor, resilience and firsthand wartime experiences.

Associated Press Ukrainian war veterans, many of whom sustained severe injuries in combat during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, perform during a premiere on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) A woman supports Andrii Onopriienko, who was left blind from severe injuries he suffered in combat during Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine, before the premiere of an adaptation of Ivan Kotliarevskyi's Ukrainian war veterans, many of whom sustained severe injuries in combat during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, perform during a premiere on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Ukrainian war veterans, many of whom sustained severe injuries in combat during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, perform during a premiere on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Ukrainian war veterans, many of whom sustained severe injuries in combat during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, perform during a premiere on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Ukrainian war veterans, many of whom sustained severe injuries in combat during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, perform during a premiere on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Ukrainian war veterans, many of whom sustained severe injuries in combat during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, perform during a premiere on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Artem Moroz, who sustained severe injuries in combat during Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine, performs during the play premiere in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Viewers react to the premiere of an adaptation of Ivan Kotliarevskyi's Director Olha Semioshkina supports Yehor Babenko a war veteran who sustained severe injuries in combat during Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine, before the premiere of an adaptation of Ivan Kotliarevskyi's Ukrainian war veterans, many of whom sustained severe injuries in combat during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, perform during a premiere on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Andrii Onopriienko, who lost his eyesight in combat during Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine, performs during the premiere of an adaptation of Ivan Kotliarevskyi's Artem Moroz, who sustained severe injuries in combat during Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine, performs during the play premiere in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Viewers react to the premiere of an adaptation of Ivan Kotliarevskyi's Ukrainian war veterans, many of whom sustained severe injuries in combat during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, perform during a premiere on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Taras Kozuk, a war veteran who sustained severe injuries in combat during Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine, plays the hurdy-gurdy, a traditional musical instrument, during a rehearsal in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Andrii Onopriienko, left, and Taras Kozuk, war veterans who sustained severe injuries in combat during Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine, relax before the premiere of an adaptation of Ivan Kotliarevskyi's Yehor Babenko, a war veteran who sustained severe injuries in combat during Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine, performs during rehearsal in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Russia Ukraine War Veterans Theater

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