- December 8, 2025
- 6:29 pm
- Israel
Embassy of Ukraine in Israel organized a special screening of the documentary Second Wind on December 7, 2025, in Tel Aviv, created by the team of Masha Kondakova and producer Gena Gazin. The film tells the stories of five Ukrainian fighters who survived severe injuries, went through a long recovery process, and climbed Kilimanjaro, unfurling the Ukrainian flag there.
We have already detailed this film – The film “Second Wind” was released in Ukraine — about 5 veterans of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who lost limbs in the war with Russia and climbed Kilimanjaro on prosthetics; the project was initiated by a Jewish-Ukrainian-American philanthropist
For many Israeli viewers, this was their first encounter with veterans of such magnitude and their inner strength.
This was reported by the Embassy of Ukraine in Israel on December 8, 2025.
How in Tel Aviv they talked about the price of freedom
The event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, Israeli political circles, business, media, and the Ukrainian community in Israel. In a brief speech, Deputy Head of Mission Gennady Breskalenko reminded: the stories of the warriors are not only about overcoming pain. They are a reminder of the high price of freedom and the moral duty of society to support those who defend the country.
The phrase sounded harsh but businesslike. The audience listened attentively.
“For Ukraine, these stories have special significance. They remind us of the high price of freedom. They demonstrate that supporting our soldiers and veterans is not just a component of humanitarian policy, but a moral obligation of both the state and society.”
The film Second Wind reminds us that even after losses and injuries, human dignity and willpower can lift a person above any peak.
“Second Wind” as a point from which a new ascent begins
The filmmakers emphasize: second wind is the moment when, after complete exhaustion, a new resource of strength appears. This is exactly what the heroes of the film experienced:
Roman “Dobryak” Kolesnik,
Vladislav “Shatya” Shatylo,
Mykhailo “Grizzly” Matviiv,
Oleksandr “Ragnar” Mikhov,
Olga “Height” Yehorova.
Their ascent was not a sports stunt but a gesture addressed to the world: Ukraine holds on, veterans rise, no matter what. This is the foundation of the film — a direct, honest demonstration of resilience.
Who created the film and why it is important in Israel
After the screening, viewers interacted with ascent participant Roman Kolesnik, director Masha Kondakova, and producer Gena Gazin. The discussion repeatedly noted the cinematography. One of the cinematographers is Serhiy Mykhalchuk, a well-known Ukrainian cinematographer and active serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. His perspective adds authenticity to the film: there is no “beautiful picture” in the frame, but there is a person who has been in the trenches himself.
For the Israeli audience, this story resonates particularly strongly. In a country where military service is part of social reality, stories of recovery, self-struggle, and return to life are perceived as personal.
What stands behind this screening and why it resonates now
Public stories of Ukrainian warriors in Israel form a stable framework of mutual understanding between the two peoples — without loud political slogans, but with strong human accents.
Cultural events of this format allow for telling about the war without abstraction and showing the faces of those who go through it.
This is why the screening of Second Wind became important not only for the community but also for Israeli partners who see Ukraine as a country capable of holding on to the strength of its people.
This thought resonates with how we at NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency regularly talk about the ties between the two countries and the people who continue to build bridges even in times of war.
A voice that must be heard
The organizers thanked everyone who supported the event. At the end of the evening, the main point was reiterated: Ukrainian stories of resilience must be heard in Israel, Europe, and everywhere there is a willingness to listen.
Cultural projects like Second Wind do this without pomp — through the personal, through an honest conversation of people who have gone through trauma and found the strength to move forward.
For readers of NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency, this is another stroke to the overall picture of the Ukrainian-Israeli dialogue, which is formed not only in offices but also in halls where documentary films are shown.
