The Beginning of a Modern Military Tradition

World War I. Ukrainian Sich Riflemen

The Ukrainian Sich Riflemen were the first generation of the 20th century to openly take up arms for Ukraine’s right to be an independent state. Their struggle started an ongoing tradition of personal responsibility for the country.

The contemporary authors of this section—Yurii Kostyshyn, Oleksandr Tereshchenko, Yurii Rudenko and Yurii Vetkin—carry on the tradition of a personal deed and inner resilience. Their experience shows that the struggle for Ukraine does not end on the battlefield. Through photography, documentary filmmaking, books, public activity and support for veterans, they help society see the human dimension of the war, preserve the memory of their comrades-in-arms and learn to live on after traumas and losses. Yurii Kostyshyn, who died defending Ukraine, left behind texts and photographs in which, even in the midst of the war, he tried to see light, beauty and humanity. His view of the war became an attempt to preserve not only the memory of the struggle, but also the feeling of life. Their activities shape a new culture of responsibility of people who, during and after the war, continue working for society, remembrance and the future of Ukraine.