Vic: So first, can you tell me your name, please?
Daria: My name is Daria. I’m a Ukrainian from Kharkiv, 26 years old.
Vic: Thank you. So have you got any stories that you might want to share about heroes you’ve heard that have emerged in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion?
Daria: I know some stories that are the most popular, about the Ghost of Kyiv, about Juice, but I don’t think it’s a real hero of Ukraine, who were soldiers and pilots. I can tell about any.
Vic: Yeah, what was that second one?
Daria: You know, the pilot of fighter jet, “Juice”?
Vic: I don’t.
Daria: So he was a young pilot of maybe F-16, or maybe the previous fighter jets, and he died during the combat mission. And there is in Kyiv, there is a huge graffiti on the wall of Juice. Yeah, this is pretty much everything. But yeah, I think he successfully hit lots of missiles, and was a very successful pilot. And young, unfortunately died.
Vic: Juice, like сік [Ukrainian for juice]?
Daria: Yes.
Vic: Okay, okay. And so different to the ghost of Kyiv?
Daria: Because Ghost of Kyiv is kind of some unknown person, right? But I believe that it’s a real person, but we don’t know him, his personality. And Juice is a real person. I just don’t remember his full- Juice is his, like, callsign?
Vic: Yeah.
Daria: Yeah and he’s, I don’t remember his name, but he’s a real, real person.
Vic: So do you not think the Ghost of Kyiv is a real person?
Daria: I think it’s a real person. I believe so. I think in the internet there is even some photos of a real pilot who people think was the Ghost of Kyiv.
Vic: Where did you hear about the Ghost of Kyiv?
Daria: I think it’s- I think it was Telegram chats, news chat, yeah. When just- the full-scale invasion started, there was lots of news about this mysterious pilot who was successfully shooting down, I don’t remember missiles or also jets? And, yeah, I also remember clearly the photo of Ghost of Kyiv, like in a helmet, in goggles.
Vic: Did you talk about him with your friends much at the time?
Daria: I don’t think so. Because at that time when this news was popular, we- everyone was shocked by the beginning of the war, and we didn’t talk a lot about this. We just was talking about, “Oh, where are you? How are you? Is everyone safe?” of your relatives, but, but, of course, I know about that hero that saved lots of people, and yes.
Vic: Did- how did you feel when you heard about him?
Daria: Hmm. Maybe I felt very proud for Ukraine and that we have such a strong people who um, and felt very appreciation to the all soldiers and all the heroes that are defending our democracy, our country, and people.
Vic: Were there any figures from Kharkiv, maybe, or any famous soldiers from the Kharkiv region that you’ve heard about?
Daria: Yes, I actually remembered one story. So before the full-scale innovation, I was working in a big company in Kharkiv. It’s actually well known, not only in Kharkiv, but also it has offices in other parts of Ukraine and abroad. And we had, in the companies around, I don’t know, 1000 more, more than 1000 people. And we had one man, and he was like, kind of in a management of the company. Was very positive always, you know, he was playing guitar. So, very, very nice, positive personality. And since the full-scale invasion started, he joined the Kraken brigade, and he became, became like one of the commander, and there is a story. Unfortunately, he died in 2024 or 25.
The he, there’s a story like he, I think, and two more his combat brothers [note: Ukrainians will use a range of terms such as “combat brother” or “battle buddy” to describe people in their unit, but are generally careful to avoid saying “comrade” as non-Ukrainian soldiers might] captured 12 Russians in one of the abandoned buildings. And I remember I was listening the interview of the commander of the whole Kraken, and he was telling about this guy, his callname is Sheva. And I was so, like, proud that I had an opportunity to work with him, and I knew him, and he was incredibly patriotic person. And, yeah, he was very confident and strong because he wasn’t afraid that there are him only and two of his combat brothers, and they managed to capture 12 Russians.
Vic: How do they manage it, do you know?
Daria: It’s definitely- the commander of Kraken definitely told all the story in interview, but I don’t remember details, but I think I’ll send you the link to the interview.
Vic: Thank you. So he’s- his story is more impactful to you because you knew him?
Daria: Yeah.
Vic: Did people who you used to work with at that company, like, talk about it?
Daria: Yes, 100%. I really, even recently- I still follow his, I think wife in Facebook, and I saw that because probably it was a anniversary of his when he died, and she published a photo of him, and she was also talking about how everyone remembers you, how patriotic, and, yeah, how positive you were. And I think his family also got a Hero- he received the Hero of Ukraine, but after his death.
Vic: Um. Are there any other, I guess, characters that you’ve heard about. Like, have you heard stories of old ladies? Like, there’s the famous one throwing the jar of pickles drone. There’s also been ones about old ladies in occupied territories managing to poison Russians.
Daria: Yep.
Vic: Have you heard these?
Daria: Yes, yes, I have heard this. And also I remember in the beginning of the full-scale invasion, there was this video and photos how the grandmas were stopping the tanks with her own hands. You haven’t?
Vic: No, I’ve not seen that.
Daria: I’ll also send you, yeah, it’s just crazy. I think it was maybe Kherson. Or maybe, maybe also can be Kharkiv region. Yeah.
Vic: So she just went and stood in front of them and was-
Daria: Yeah, yeah, you will not go further, yeah.
Vic: And that worked?
Daria: Yes! I think it works because they thought- the Russians thought that they will be welcomed in the villages, and everyone is waiting for them, for their Russian peace. And yeah, this kind of ruined the imaginary vision of the situation.
Vic: Yeah. So did images of that get shared around?
Daria: Yes, I remember, yeah. And yeah, of course I know the stories about Ukrainian grandmas, how to say- they were faking to help Russian soldiers, but were cooking them some poisonous like buns, or the buns with nails.
Vic: Ohh okay, like metal?
Daria: Yes, yes.
Vic: Okay, yeah. Do you hear stories about, like, Russian equipment being stolen?
Daria: I remember something about this, but I don’t remember like, in details.
Vic: Do these stories- are there new stories like these coming up now, or were they more just towards the start of the full-scale invasion?
Daria: I think there were more towards the start of the full-scale invasion, but definitely every day, like- the war is still going on, and there are still numerous of soldiers that are fighting for our freedom. And I think maybe it’s important that the news share more stories of heroes that are currently defending us and continue to remember the heroes that died here.
Vic: Do you think they get discussed more on social media compared to in the news?
Daria: Yes. Social media more, definitely. Yeah. I think because foreign media are not covering Ukraine so much, and I don’t watch news. I only watch maybe when it was, yeah, it was, it was covered by foreign media and it was shared in social media. Then I understood, oh, it’s something big. Bu right now, there is decrease of awareness about Ukraine in the news. So right now, I only found out about this kind of stories in social media.
Vic: Is it mainly Ukrainian people talking about these things now then?
Daria: Yeah. But as I’m also surrounded by wonderful foreign volunteers, so we also discuss it between each other, and they definitely know, very aware about what’s happening in Ukraine.
Vic: Another character, Pes Patron, can you tell me about Pes Patron?
Daria: Yes. So Pes Patron, I think it’s Jack Russell breed of the dog. It was a dog of some- I think miner probably. I just know that it’s participated in the demining, because it has a very good like, sniffing?
Vic: Sense of smell.
Daria: Yes, smell, yeah. And, of course, I know that there is a song about Pes Patron. And the recent news I’ve heard about that when the head of the NATO came to Kyiv, he met with Pes Patron, and he was- this probably was the most exciting event for him to see Pes Patron, because I saw he made a photo with him. And then we’re telling in social media about this, so.
Vic: So is it a good way to get more attention for Ukraine, having these characters?
Daria: I think so. I didn’t think about it, but yes, definitely.
Vic: I guess everyone loves a cute dog.
Daria: Yeah, that’s true.
Vic: Cool. Are there any other characters or stories you can think of?
Daria: Hmm. I just remember, you know, when there was a first liberation of Kherson. I remember there was the central square of Kherson, and on background, there is this administrative building, and some journalists is recording a video, and how people are cheering and so happy. And there was one guy who said, “We are so happy that we are not Russia”. And I just remember this very well, because he was so sincerely happy. And I can imagine his feeling when Ukraine got back Kherson, how people were happy that they’re back in Ukraine. So this is it just a character that I remembered, yeah.
Vic: And they made it onto the news?
Daria: Yes, they made it onto the news, yeah.
Vic: Out of interest, are you familiar with Mano, like French Mano?
Daria: Yes.
Daria: Have you heard stories about Mano? I find volunteers tell stories about Mano a lot.
Daria: But I think I don’t know any good stories. I only know how that he loves to show his bottom part of his body onto the camera. That’s all. <laughs>
Vic: <laughs> I just found it interesting that a lot of volunteers have Mano stories, even people who’ve never met him seem to have heard of man.
Daria: Yeah! Oh, it’s funny.
Vic: Thank you for your time.
Daria: Thank you.
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