A special concert was held in Kyiv in an old movie studio, with its location kept secret until the last moment due to security concerns over potential Russian attacks. Over 1,000 soldiers and young people attended the event, which aimed to raise funds for Ukraine’s military. The concert was the first and only live performance for the charity album “Epoch,” a collaboration between the 3rd Assault Brigade and eight Ukrainian bands. The initiative sought to raise 50 million hryvnias (about $1.2 million) to fund an armored personnel carrier for transporting infantry and evacuating the wounded.
Since launching on streaming platforms a month ago, the project has raised 9 million hryvnias (around $214,000). This grassroots fundraising effort has its roots in 2014 when Russia first annexed Crimea, and conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine. Back then, Ukraine’s defense was supported by volunteer battalions, and self-funding was vital. Today, ads along Kyiv’s sidewalks ask for donations to fill military funding gaps, from body warmers and drones to armored vehicles for soldiers defending the long front lines.
Kyiv Hosts Secret Concert to Fund Military, Featuring Charity Album Collaboration by Ukrainian Bands
However, some charities are seeing a decline in donations due to the ongoing economic challenges in Ukraine. Oleksandr Borodyn, one of the project organizers, noted that the challenge of raising funds has grown more difficult as the war approaches its third anniversary. To overcome this, artists have donated their music, with the album’s sales directly supporting the troops. This initiative coincides with increased military aid from the U.S., but the ongoing war has led to economic strain in Ukraine, making voluntary donations more challenging.
Since the full-scale invasion, nearly 10.5 million unique users have donated around $1.8 billion to various causes supporting the Ukrainian military. However, charitable contributions have decreased from the initial surge in donations at the beginning of the war. The financial burden on civilians, compounded by economic hardship, has led many to focus their donations on smaller, personal initiatives, rather than larger organizations. Some individuals feel demotivated by the perceived decline in international support for Ukraine, which further impacts the donations.
The “Epoch” album features young Ukrainian artists from rock, rap, and alternative genres, with many songs reflecting the wartime experiences of the nation. The project’s name symbolizes the current era, and the music captures the sense of living through the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian music has gained prominence since the invasion, with many artists distancing themselves from the Russian pop scene to assert their cultural identity. As artists like Iryna Panchuk of “Renie Cares” highlight, this separation strengthens Ukraine’s distinct cultural identity, which has become even more important during the war.
