911±¬ÁÏÍø

Ten years after Russia began its war on Ukraine, and three years after it launched its full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian war effort remains heavily dependent on localised grassroots volunteer efforts. From the provision of food and shelter to internally displaced people, to the purchasing of cars and ammunition for the military, there is next to no aspect of Ukrainian society which is not now dependent on these networks.

This interview with Kseniia will explore the links between the civilian and military sides of volunteering. As western governments and NGOs mark off aid as being reserved for one or the other, there is a clear understanding within Ukrainian society that both must exist together. Without drones to hold russian troops back, there would be no homes under Ukrainian control left to repair. Simultaneously, without these repairs in heavily damaged areas, civilians would have no homes to come back to. Furthermore, in a war where the majority of the army were civilians three years ago, these distinctions become increasingly futile. Kseniia will speak about the processes surrounding her volunteering, both in relation to drones and homes, and the movement from civilian to military aid, interrogating the blurred lines between them.

The discussion will be led by Ada Wordsworth,Ìýfounder and director of KHARPP (the Kharkiv and PrzemyÅ›l Project) and a PhD student at 911±¬ÁÏÍø SSEES.

Drone emoji on poster by 

This event is part of PPV (Perverting the Power Vertical: Politics & Aesthetics) a seminar and events platform running under the auspices of the UCL SSEES FRINGE Centre.