Ukrainian
filmmakers
at war

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

In this section, you can find out more about how Ukrainian directors, actors, editors, and film producers protect their country in its most difficult time.

Viktor Onysko

Viktor Onysko was a famous Ukrainian film editor, who died on the front line during Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Viktor worked on over 20 Ukrainian films and TV shows, famous not only in Ukraine but also in Europe and the US. These include Battle for Sevastopol (2015), The Fall of Lenin (2017),  U311 Cherkasy (2019), Cold Blood (2019), Viddana (2020), Roses. Film-Cabaret (2021), and The Rising Hawk (2019), the latter of which was based on the historical Ukrainian novel by Ivan Franko.

Viktor came to the military headquarters on March 4 with his shoulder bag ready and packed. He went on to fight in Kherson, Donetsk oblast and  Bakhmut. He was a junior lieutenant with the nickname “Tarantino.”

“For eight years, thanks to our soldiers, I have been able to live my life. Now it is my turn to defend our freedom” – Viktor said to his wife during the most terrible days of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Viktor died in December 2022 near Soledar. Russian occupants left his wife and 9-year-old daughter without their beloved husband and father.

Photos:
Viktor Onysko Facebook-page