Yaroslava

In 2018, a watercolor by an unknown European artist appeared at Sotheby’s in London. A collector from Kyiv bought it. Later, experts identified it as a lost 1846 work by Taras Shevchenko: St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv. After more than 170 years, it returned to Kyiv. I saw it today.

Today, Ukraine remembers the children killed by russia’s war. 705 children killed. 2,532 injured. The numbers are not final. 🇺🇦 Sofiia Borozenets Never Again? 2022

Sky over Kyiv now and a view of St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery. Built in 1108-1113. Blown up by the Soviet regime in 1937. Restored in the 1990s.

Greetings from Kyiv. I’m standing near St. Sophia Cathedral. Our jewel of the 11th century. I love coming here, sitting on the bench, and imagining Kyivan princes walking here more than 1,000 years ago.

At the exhibition “New Military Landscape.” A field of flowers. A bright sky. A tank. The glitch breaks the illusion of a beautiful landscape. 🇺🇦 Igor Gusev, 2026

Amid all these attacks, it may go unnoticed that Kyiv hosted a literary festival with 27,000 visitors. But it speaks volumes about us. I wrote about what I took from it in my new members’ letter: www.patreon.com/posts/159802...

By the Dnipro River. Kyiv goes on. We go on.

Kyiv. I came to the Dnipro River, but not to calm myself. I am listening to a lecture about imperialism. “I keep saying that the russian-Ukrainian war began in 1721,” the professor said. That was the year when Peter I proclaimed the russian empire.

Greetings from Kyiv. Late today. At last, we had warmer weather. One short alert in the evening, so the day was calm. After such an intense few days, I needed to gather my observations into a new letter.

I filmed this moment. For three days, to mark Kyiv Day, the fountain of Kyiv’s founders came back to life. Why only for three days? Because of security and energy-saving measures during the war.

Greetings from Kyiv 🇺🇦 covered in grey clouds today. Stand with me on Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square). Do you feel it? Life.

Tomorrow is Kyiv Day. I’m proud to live in this city and keep showing it to you. The heart of Ukraine beats here 🇺🇦

The line to the autograph session of Ukrainian author Ilarion Pavliuk at Book Arsenal in Kyiv. It kept going.

Greetings from Kyiv. I'm on my way to the Book Arsenal festival — day three. At 2 pm Kyiv time, I plan to go live from there. My Patreon members are invited: www.patreon.com/12616055/eve...

It’s about care. Free hire of strollers and wheelchairs at Book Arsenal Festival, Kyiv.

It’s not only about books, interesting people and discussions. Book Arsenal, the largest literary festival in Ukraine, also reminds us who makes all of this possible during the war. Visitors can support Ukrainian military units at fundraising stands throughout the festival.

Greetings from Kyiv. It’s one of my favorite views. I love coming here and looking at the clouds. Every time, they offer something new. I hope Friday is gentle to you.

A minute in Kyiv. I was passing by today and couldn’t help but film it.

Atmosphere at Book Arsenal today. A literary festival in Kyiv that continues even during the war.

Greetings from Kyiv. The line to Book Arsenal today, one of Ukraine’s most important literary festivals. Four days of books, discussions, Ukrainian culture, a live walk for my supporters, and probably a few books I did not plan to buy 😉

The panel Hiroshima-Chornobyl by Liudmyla Mieshkova was created in 1996. In 2005, it was meant to become a gift to Hiroshima on behalf of the Ukrainian state. But no officials arrived to collect the artwork from the artist’s workshop. To this day, it has never been exhibited.

A restaurant on Podil (old part of Kyiv that was damaged during the latest attack) did it 😉

Some of the facade windows of the Ukrainian House in Kyiv were damaged during the latest attack. Just two days later, the doors reopened to visitors. The plywood boards covered the damage like a quiet sign of resilience. Today, I visited an exhibition about Chornobyl there.

Greetings from Kyiv 🇺🇦 It is calm and cloudy now. The city lives. People are rushing about their business. No panic. Only life.

On April 3, I walked through the halls of the National Art Museum in Kyiv. On May 24, I cried looking at its wounds after the russian attack. My favourite painting from that April day: 🇺🇦 Anatolii Lymariev Fallen Angel, 1983–1985

Greetings from Kyiv. It was mostly a calm day here. Two short drone alerts. After the last two intense days, I had some mental rest. Having a warcoffee now. Always helps.

My last stop for today. Chornobyl Museum. By destroying museums and galleries, russians try to destroy our culture and memory. We will rebuild.

Yesterday, they offered free coffee and sweets after the attack. Today, it was my turn. I bought coffee and cheesecake for them. We have to support each other. Shoulder to shoulder.

Kyiv. My warcoffee is here. Right next to the Chornobyl Museum.

Greetings from Kyiv. Let’s cross the Dnipro River together. I’m on my way to pay my respects to the Chornobyl Museum, which was heavily damaged during the latest attack.

Kyiv. City centre. A woman clearing the damage from the night attack near the antique bookshop. We won’t give up. I know. I see.

National Art Museum in Kyiv after the attack. Closed for an uncertain period. According to photos published by the Ministry of Culture, there is much more damage inside. My heart is bleeding.

Kyiv. Near Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square). A bookstore. I am here, filming how russians destroy our culture.

Sunset today. The art of nature. Sleep calm, Ukraine.

Two realities clash. A calm moment near the Dnipro River and a warning from Zelenskyy about russian preparations for a new attack on Kyiv.

Today, Ukraine marks Heroes’ Day. A day of remembrance honoring all those who fought and continue to fight for Ukraine’s freedom and independence. Paintings from the exhibition The Archetype of the Ukrainian Hero, 2025.

A chandelier and a ceiling in a cathedral of the 11th century. St. Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv. (It looks like I’ve started collecting images of chandeliers and ceilings with history)

Greetings from Kyiv. It was the most calming scene I’ve seen in a long time. They had been sitting there for a while. Watching. Listening. I joined their silence.

Vyshyvanka Day in Kyiv. I captured this moment from the bell tower of St Sophia Cathedral. I walked through Kyiv and filmed the spirit of the day for my supporters. www.patreon.com/posts/158873...

Let’s listen to the bandura. It’s a traditional Ukrainian string instrument, somewhat similar to a mix of a lute and a harp. This old man often plays on the grounds of St. Sophia in Kyiv.

Kyiv is wearing vyshyvanka today. My gratitude to those who defend our culture and keep it alive.

Today, on Vyshyvanka Day, I’ll be wearing a legacy from my two grandmothers: a vyshyvanka (embroidered shirt) from one, and a kraika (woven belt) from the other. I hope they will smile from the heavens ❤️

It is one of my favorite halls of Kyiv Picture Gallery. The gallery is housed in the former mansion of Fedir Tereshchenko (1832–1894), a Ukrainian industrialist and art collector. I visited it today to see a new exhibition. Ukraine hides so many treasures.

Greetings from Kyiv. Once again, I brought you its beauty and life. The world needs reminders that after more than four years of war, Kyiv stands. And perhaps this will become a testimony for the future.

Dnipro River today. I haven’t lost my ability to notice beauty. No war can take away the moment when we stand in awe and watch. We are humans, just like you.

Kyiv before the thunderstorm. It was hauntingly beautiful. I was on my way to meet the sunset at the Dnipro River. But this…

Greetings from Kyiv. Today, I’ve been thinking that I don’t want to give you the impression that I’m trying to find Ukrainian roots everywhere. No. What I’m doing is looking for Ukraine hidden and unrecognized under layers of empires.

May 18 Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Crimean Tatar Genocide. 82 years ago, the stalinist regime forcibly deported Crimean Tatars from Crimea. Rustem Skybin The Way Home

Greetings from Kyiv. Chestnut trees bloom. russia continues its attacks on Ukraine. Last night, with 524 drones and 22 missiles. I had a warcoffee. Tried to plan the week. Gentle Monday to you.

Forgot to show you this craftsmanship I saw at the market recently. Handmade in Ukraine, near Kyiv.

Greetings from Kyiv. I had some plans for today. But russian drones are crying in the sky. Perhaps a bit angry. I read that Ukrainian drones visited moscow at night. Cheers 😉

Greetings from Kyiv. Calm Saturday here. Once again, I found myself near the water. In a world of noise, I keep gathering everyday life.

Children playing. Blue sky. Caring clouds. Precious moments I gather to show you that life goes on. Kyiv.

Kyiv today. Two moments I captured: a gorgeous view and scars of war.

Warcoffee in Kyiv. I have it in memory of the lives lost to russia’s attacks. Yesterday, 24 people were killed in Kyiv. I really don’t know where to hide from reality today.

Life is fragile. Especially here. So I want to use every day of it to tell you more about Ukraine. No added music today. Just ink, brush, and paper. 🇺🇦 Andrii Chebykin (b. 1946)

I’m sitting near the Dnipro River. Rescuers are trying to find people under the rubble. Already, five people are dead in Kyiv. A 12-year-old girl is among them. I’m looking at the water. It doesn’t know.

Warcoffee time. While it is calm in Kyiv, I am here. With a book and a laptop. Gathering information for Sunday Letter. Life doesn’t stop. I want to do as much as I can during mine.

Chestnut trees bloom in Kyiv. Seasons change, years go by, and the war hasn’t ended yet. I film these changes for you, hoping that one day I’ll show you how we celebrate victory.

One of Ukraine’s most famous contemporary artists celebrates his 90th birthday today. Ivan Marchuk 🇺🇦 He invented his own technique, pliontanism, and describes it as an endless tangled line woven like a spider’s web.

Greetings from Kyiv. russians renewed their night terror. I came to the city centre not only to enjoy the view, but to show you that Kyiv stands and lives. Have a gentle day!

I sent a new Hidden Ukraine letter yesterday. This one is from Volyn (northwestern Ukraine). A green railway tunnel, an old house with history, a rapeseed field. Ukraine that rarely appears in the headlines. If you missed it, it’s on Patreon www.patreon.com/posts/157862...

Today, I spent some time with the Dnipro River. Sat near the water, let my thoughts fly. I cannot leave any social media platform for one simple reason: each one has kind and caring people. Came to say hi.

Perhaps I’ll write such reminders occasionally. I’m based in Kyiv. I show you life here, the culture, and the beauty of Ukraine. I want you to see what is hidden beyond the headlines of war. Since February 24, 2022, I have called every coffee I drink warcoffee.

Greetings from Kyiv. Today, I’m sending warm hugs to all mothers. Even if Mother’s Day falls on another date in your country, mothers deserve to be celebrated every day. Flowers from Ukraine for you

My new discovery from ART KYIV 2026 (a contemporary art fair). 🇺🇦 Taras Hayda

Made in Ukraine. Pokuttia ceramics I saw today. Traditional pottery from Western Ukraine, known for its warm colors, carved ornaments, and hand-painted designs.

Greetings from Kyiv. I was at Kurazh Market today and saw this table of kindness. A charity was collecting donations to feed elderly people in Kherson. Powerful.

Kyiv Resilient, alive, and gorgeous.

I continue introducing you to Ukrainian art. Some works from ART KYIV 2026, which I visited today. The first two and the last two: 🇺🇦 Volodymyr Byzov

Greetings from Kyiv. Today, on the Day of Remembrance and Victory over nazism, I keep hope that good prevails. Let’s not only follow the light, but be that light.

Tonight in Kyiv. Traditional Ukrainian dances near the Landscape Alley. People joined in. I recorded a recap for my supporters, as promised: www.patreon.com/posts/157651...

Today, everything went wrong. I approached the musician and asked him gently: Please play something cheerful, something Ukrainian. He played. Kyiv was covered with a gorgeous sunset.

The Dnipro River greets the world. A reminder of the Earth’s beauty that humanity has been destroying.

Greetings from Kyiv, where the sounds of nature mix with reality. I was watching the sun rays play on a tree when the air raid alert started.

My next live walk in Kyiv takes place on Thursday, May 7, at 7:15 pm Kyiv time. I called it Spirit of Ukraine. I’ll be waiting for my supporters here: www.patreon.com/12616055/eve... The video is unrelated to the place we’ll visit.

He was so tired today. I could feel it. In a vyshyvanka (embroidered shirt), at his favourite place near the Golden Gate. Dear old gentleman with a trumpet.

Greetings from Kyiv. Today, I’m writing in a new place for me. It has character. I find it perfect for my words. Hot spring outside. Life is to be lived (and written about).

I want the world to see that Ukraine doesn’t give up. Today, I visited an event Culture Beyond the Capital. These young women come from different cities (even near the front line) and keep creating cultural projects.

Greetings from Kyiv, where I’m having a warcoffee. A break after working on the Hidden Ukraine letter. Reading the news. Last night, russians attacked Ukraine again, targeting oil and gas infrastructure and killing people. I’ll leave a source below to read more 🔻

Today, I saw the black crack on the Arch of Freedom of the Ukrainian People. It was added in 2018 in support of 🇺🇦 political prisoners held in russia and in occupied Crimea. The crack also broke the myth of “friendship of peoples”. Back then, the arch was still called the Peoples’ Friendship Arch.

I’m sorting out videos from my trip and want to add some tulips to your feed. May beauty be with you

Meanwhile, in Kyiv, chestnuts are starting to bloom. I once mentioned that chestnuts are one of Kyiv’s symbols.

Greetings from Kyiv. Calm spring day. I walked and walked to absorb the warmth. A lot is hidden behind this calm. Have a gentle new week.

Back in Kyiv. Drones. I’m pulling a bit of calm from my pockets, the calm gathered during my journey through northwestern Ukraine.

Yes, this is Ukraine too. Where birds sing, nature celebrates spring, and a historic building catches the sunlight. I’m here to show you what is hidden behind the bars of war.