Exclusive premiere: Join us for an online screening of our new documentary "He came back” and Q&A with Olesia Bida, reporter from the War Crimes Investigations Unit and the film’s author (Patreon)

Dear Kyiv Independent community members,

Our War Crimes Investigations Unit is getting ready to release its next documentary, “He came back.” The film is about two cases of sexual violence committed by Russian soldiers during the occupation of Kherson and Kyiv oblasts in 2022 – and the process of identifying the offenders.

Before the release next week, we will hold an online screening of “He Came Back” exclusive for our community members. The film will run for one hour and the screening will be followed by a Q&A with the author of the documentary Olesia Bida and our editor-in-chief Olga Rudenko. 

Rape is officially recognized as a crime against humanity and a war crime by international law and the Geneva Conventions. However, according to the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, Russia is not currently investigating cases of sexual violence committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine. Based on the existing evidence, there are reasons to believe that rape is not just tolerated, but encouraged by senior representatives of the Russian military.

Olesia Bida said that she spoke with many more victims than are in the film – most did not want to speak about the experiences on camera for the investigation.

“It is still a difficult subject for the victims and for our society, which is sometimes prone to condemnation and stigmatization, even in wartime,” Olesia said.

“The two women who eventually became the heroines of our film have incredible strength. I hope that the results of our investigation will bring the day closer when their perpetrators, the Russian military, will be brought to justice.” 

The film was created with the financial support of the Kyiv Independent community. Thank you for your contributions – they make a critical difference. 

Register for the Q&A and submit your questions here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_j7Mfilz1RBi5Eh5UKmkSHw

After registering, you will immediately receive the meeting information and will automatically be sent a one-hour reminder.

The event is scheduled for Thursday, June 6, at 7 p.m. Kyiv time (12 p.m. EDT).

Thank you for your support, and we hope to see you there.