Kyiv Mohyla Foundation of America

Children in the Fire: What War Does to a Generation 🇺🇦

Join us for a special screening of Children in the Fire, a powerful new documentary by Oscar-nominated director Evgeny Afineevsky, exploring the devastating impact of Russia’s war on Ukrainian children and families.

More than four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the headlines may feel familiar - but the human cost remains unimaginable. Children in the Fire shares the stories of Ukrainian children whose lives were shattered by occupation, deportation, and violence, yet who continue to fight for their dreams and future with extraordinary resilience.

The evening will include a post-screening reception and an opportunity to meet the director.

📍 Gene Siskel Film Center
🗓 June 3, 2026
🚪 Doors Open — 5:00 PM
🎬 Program & Screening — 5:45 PM
🥂 Reception Following the Film
🎟 Admission is free

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED‼️
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/children-in-the-fire-what-war-does-to-a-generation-tickets-1989399398153?aff=oddtdtcreator

Presented by Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America, and Polsky Foundation.
Kyiv Mohyla Foundation of America

🎬 Join us for a powerful evening in Chicago.
We invite you to a special screening of Children in the Fire — a searing documentary by Oscar and Emmy-nominated director Evgeny Afineevsky, who will be joining us in person, telling the stories of Ukrainian children whose lives have been shattered by war.

More than 2,400 Ukrainian children have been killed or wounded since Russia's full-scale invasion. This film puts faces and voices to those numbers.

📅 Tuesday, June 3
📍 Gene Siskel Film Center 164 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601 🚪 Doors open: 5:30 pm
🎥 Program & screening: 6:00 pm
🥂 Reception to follow

Presented by the Chicago Council, the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation, and the Polsky Foundation.

This is a free event, but seats are limited, reserve your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/children-in-the-fire-what-war-does-to-a-generation-tickets-1989399398153

Just a few memories from our event in Washington D.C.

There are events you attend. And then there are evenings that stay with you. May 7 at Ukraine House was the latter.

The room was full of people who care — deeply, genuinely — about Ukraine and its future. Ambassador William Taylor spoke with the authority of someone who has stood in Ukraine's corner for decades and has no intention of stopping. Yana, Dmytro, and Mariia brought Kyiv into the room in a way that no news story ever could — through their own voices.

There were conversations that went long after they were supposed to end. There was warmth and the particular feeling of being in exactly the right place at the right time.

If you were there — thank you. You made this evening what it was. If you weren't — you can still support the work of the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center and the Kyiv Mohyla Foundation Of America: https://www.kmfoundation.org/donate

A special thank you to our partners at the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC) and to Marianna Falkova and Sofia Kachur at Ukraine House for making all of us feel at home.

One of the most meaningful moments of our Washington visit — a meeting at the Embassy of Ukraine.

Yana, Dmytro, and Mariia brought the work of the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center to the heart of Washington’s Ukrainian diplomatic community. The conversation reminded us why this work matters — and how much stronger it becomes when Ukraine’s institutions, its diaspora, and its defenders stand together.

Thank you to the Embassy of Ukraine for welcoming us. 🇺🇦

New York closed the tour. And it closed it beautifully. 🌊🇺🇦

On May 9, the Ukrainian Institute of America welcomed the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy for the final evening of our Across the Ocean tour — an evening of good food, real conversation, and an extraordinary room.

We were privileged to welcome Ambassador Andrii Melnyk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, and Deputy Permanent Representative Khrystyna Hayovyshyn — whose presence brought New York and Kyiv into the same room in the most meaningful way.

We were honored to be joined by Ambassador John Herbst, former United States Ambassador to Ukraine and Director of Eurasia Programs at the Atlantic Council, who brought an uplifting message for Ukraine to our final evening.

A heartfelt thank you to the Ukrainian Institute of America for hosting us — and in particular to Executive Director Lydia Zaininger for her warmth and generosity. Thank you to Taisa Marcus, visiting professor and a dedicated supporter of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, and to Kvitka Semynyshyn for being with us. A special welcome to our colleagues from the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of Canada, and personally Kristina Tatarska — it means so much to have family around the table.

And of course — our guests from Kyiv: Yana Chapailo, Mariia Savrun, and Dmytro Ternovyi, who crossed the ocean to share their work, their stories, and their belief of the work of Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center.

Thank you, New York, for giving this tour the ending it deserved.

You can also support the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center: https://www.kmfoundation.org/donate


Центр Лідерства Захисників України
Національний університет "Києво-Могилянська академія"
Marta Farion Maria Klimchak

Marta Farion Maria Klimchak