Ukrainian soldier Yevhenii spoke exclusively to Euronews about his journey from DJing to the army, sharing how music provides solace amid the chaos of war.
When Russia’s full-scale invasion started in February 2022, Yevhenii called his mother, saying: “Mum, I’m leaving Kyiv. Missiles are striking all around me. It’s deafening.” In her calm and typical way, she replied: “Alright, son, I’m makingborshch. We’ll be waiting for you.” Today, he chuckles at the memory.
Before the war, he worked as a DJ and dancer, but his life was to change drastically in 2022. When Russia started attacking Ukraine, many were faced with the prospect of staying, or leaving. That question never arose for Yevhenii, though: “Leaving the country? I never even considered it. I love Ukraine. It’s my home”, the 29-year-old told Euronews.
He had no other choice than to adapt to life at war, which he described as “intense”: “For many people outside Ukraine, this war seems distant, but here, it’s so close. Even in cities away from the front lines, you feel it”, he said. And he’s right. When walking through Kyiv, for example, the invasion’s reminders are everywhere: Czech hedgehogs – iron anti-tank obstacles – line the streets, marking the 2022 battle for Kyiv, sandbags guarding monuments and windows, and murals honouring the bravery of Ukrainian soldiers.
Almost daily drone- or missile attacks also leave no illusion of peace for Ukrainians all over the country. “Our children, pensioners and youth are being killed. Our hospitals, kindergartens, schools and infrastructure are being destroyed”, Yevhenii said. For him, this constant threat acts as reaffirmation of why he decided to stay in the country.
The call that changed Yevhenii’s life
Nine months into the full-scale invasion, Yevhenii got the call that changed his life. “The enlistment office called”, he said, laughing at the simplicity of the event that ultimately led him to the military.
A day later, he was in Kyiv, and by week’s end, he had officially become a soldier. Despite his fear, he adapted somewhat to the demands of military life. “They told me, ‘You need to accept, understand, and even enjoy it'”, he recalled. To this day, acceptance still remains the hardest part.
In both Western and Ukrainian media, discussions around recruitment issues are common. In 2022, nearly one million men were mobilised. But rates have since declined. As a result, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a controversial law this year, lowering the conscription age from 27 to 25. The aim was to conscript several thousand men.
The issue of mobilisation
In his commentary for the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Ukrainian lawyer and human rights activist Oleksandr V. Danylyuk noted that changing public perceptions around the protracted nature of the war have sharply decreased volunteer enlistments. The decrease in military support from Ukraine’s Western partners and distrust in the system also contributes to men hesitating to join the Army.
As one Ukrainian man told Euronews anonymously, a significant concern for him about mobilisation is the risk of being sent to the front line shortly after only three to four weeks of training. While some training is provided, he considers it insufficient for preparing individuals for active combat.
He noted that hundreds of employees from Territorial Recruitment Centres have started setting up checkpoints in central city areas, such as Kharkiv, to check men’s documents and, in some cases, take them to recruitment centres. “These measures are legal, but for me, it raises whether these forcibly mobilised men will truly be motivated defenders”, he questioned.
“Another problem are stupid, sometimes pointless orders on the battlefield”, he explained. “For example, when a group of several soldiers is deployed to recapture an area that is already occupied by the enemy several kilometres deep. This is probably how my cousin was killed in the Pokrovsk Axis in spring 2024”, he added.
This concern was echoed in a June Washington Post article, which reported Major Bohdan Krotevych of the Azov Brigade criticising Lieutenant General Yuriy Sodol for allegedly causing thousands of casualties through poor command decisions. Krotevych noted that soldiers were ordered to advance without adequate artillery support, resulting in unnecessary losses.
Successful military recruitment, therefore, should focus not only on attracting or conscripting personnel, but also on providing sufficient resources and transparency.
Is adaption to military life possible?
For Yevhenii, adapting to his life as a soldier took almost a year. Full adaptation is impossible, though, in his opinion. Nowadays, even simple acts like listening to music are challenging, as each song has the power to trigger memories of his life before the full-scale invasion.
“It was tough”, he admitted, stressing the importance of support from his family, comrades, and God.
ADVERTISEMENTNow a member of an air defence unit, Yevhenii’s mission is to “protect the skies”. “We’re on the lookout for ‘Shahed’ drones”, he explained, referring to the Iranian so-called ‘kamikaze drones‘ used by Russia.
Though his role in the Army is clear, the emotional toll of war is ongoing. “Every part of this life takes adjustment, and I’m still adjusting”, he added.
Finding solace in music
Despite the war, music remains central to Yevhenii’s life. “It was hard to get used to everything, but after a month in the Army, I started listening to music again”, he remembered. Known for his love of DJing, he recalled a simpler time when he performed for packed, ecstatic crowds.
Although combat has limited his time for music, it continues to provide solace. “Music plays a vital role in my life. It controls, adjusts, heals, and cripples,” he added. “I don’t have enough time to create music and DJ,” he told Euronews.
ADVERTISEMENT“Now, when I see that someone has the opportunity to perform, I’m happy, of course, but I also want to share not only the music I’ve written but also the collections that have been lying around for several years,” the 29-year-old continued.
His last opportunity to DJ was at the beginning of 2024.
Since the full-scale invasion, Yevhenii has started listening to more Ukrainian music, finding pride in the many emerging young talents in his country. Yevhenii isn’t the only DJ who has expanded his record collection.
Ukrainian DJ Ana B also told Euronews that she sees a deep cultural rather than just national pride. During her sets, she feels this “undeniable push to lift these diverse voices through my work, whether it’s through music or sharing the resilience of our scene”, she explained.
ADVERTISEMENTJust like Yevhenii, many Ukrainian DJs and producers defend their homeland on the battlefield. “In the rare breaks between missions, they come home, join us on the dance floor, and reconnect with their communities. It’s become an essential part of the Ukrainian music scene”, Ana B continued.
“For them, these events are more than parties; they’re a brief escape from the horror they face and a chance to recharge. Some have even said it’s what they look forward to most while on military tasks. Having these brave men and women back with us, sharing these moments and playing for them, is truly the greatest gift.”
As long as the war rages, his music remains a testament to the life he hopes to reclaim. “Afterwards, I want to give myself to art to the fullest. I want to study, study, and study, learn new things, and travel”, Yevhenii said of his plans for the future.