On Monday evening, the French premiere of the documentary took place at the Élysée Biarritz in Paris. Second WindDirected by Masha Kondakova and produced by Gena GazinThis projection takes on a particular dimension when Russia invaded Ukraine exactly four years agoThe Ukrainian ambassador to France, Vadym Omelchenko, was present and visibly very moved, as was the director, deeply touched by the reception from the Parisian public, sensitive to the journey of the five heroes who embody hope and resilience.
The film tells the story, filled with courage, resilience, and indomitable will, of five Ukrainian heroes—four amputee soldiers and a severely wounded sniper—who undertake an expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro. Their adventure transcends mere physical feat: it reveals inner transformation, the overcoming of pain, the rebuilding after the traumas of war, and the strength of brotherhood. Their journey becomes a powerful symbol of a nation's struggle and a universal tribute to human resilience.
An idea born on a Tel Aviv beach
In front of the audience, Masha Kondakova explained the origin of the project: “On a beautiful beach in Tel Aviv, I saw a young soldier running with a prosthetic leg. I immediately thought of the Ukrainian soldiers and knew we absolutely had to do something to support them, to motivate them to return to an active life after their injuries and amputations. That's how the idea for the film was born. And as Olga said in the film, this isn't the end: the climb is just the beginning. We also created the movement.” Second wind"So that other veterans can engage in activities like hiking, rafting, or climbing, to create a community and support each other through hardship, finding understanding and support from brothers in arms."
The five heroes who defy the impossible
Olga “VYSOTA” Yehorova joined Ukrainian forces on the day of the invasion, going from administrative officer to second-class sniper, despite two serious injuries in 2023. Vladyslav “SHATYA” Shatilo, a former member of the Azov special unit, served on the Mariupol front and in the Svitlodarsk bulge, then was mobilized to defend Chernihiv in February 2022.
Mykhailo “GRIZLI” Matviyev, a former member of the OMEGA special forces, lost his leg during the demining of enemy positions and now serves as a combat drone operator. Novel “DOBRYAK” KolesnykHe, who lost a leg after being hit by a tank, is now an ambassador for the Second Wind movement and a rapper. Finally, Oleksandr "RAGNAR" Mikhov, graduated with gold honors from the National Guard Academy, joined the Omega special unit, lost his leg in 2023 and became Ukrainian Para Jiu-Jitsu champion and world vice-champion.
Moving testimonials after the screening
At the end of the screening, the director, the producer and two heroes, Olga Vysota and Oleksandr Mikhov, spoke to the audience.
When asked how her return to the front lines went after the climb, Olga confided: "There was a specific project. I still ask myself that question and I still haven't found the words to describe it."
When asked if she told her classmates about this adventure, she replied with a smile: "I tell them this story all the time. I think they're a little tired of hearing all these Kilimanjaro stories."
Oleksandr Mikhov, when asked about the film's line "To stop is to give up."He emphasized the symbolic importance of this film for his country: “We cannot stop, because to stop is to give up. Today, our country faces challenges far greater than those of Kilimanjaro. Many of our sons and daughters have died or are dying, others are wounded or in captivity. But it is essential to know that our families and our brothers in arms are safe. We can live by our own rules, in freedom, without anyone imposing anything on us. We will not stop, and we will go all the way.”
An international tour and a diplomatic message
For Masha KondakovaThe film also has a diplomatic and cultural dimension. She stated: “We are doing an international tour to show that, despite the war, Ukrainians remain standing and continue their path towards a free life. The international premiere took place in Washington DC, then in New Jersey, New York, Stockholm, and Israel. We presented the film in Munich at a security conference, in The Hague and London, and today in Paris. Before that, we were at NATO headquarters in Brussels. Tomorrow (this Tuesday, Ed.), we will go to the European Parliament in Brussels, then we will continue on to Oslo and Berlin. All of this around the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion, to show that we remain standing.
Visibly moved, Masha Kondakova had a thought for other filmmakers and the heroes of her film: “Today, I think of my fellow filmmakers who changed careers to defend the country, and of those who work behind the cameras to make our voices heard. Every Ukrainian has their own summit to climb.” This film is intended to motivate Ukrainians, especially after serious injuries, but also to change the image of our country. We are not asking for pity. These heroes don't like being called that, and even less being pitied.
The director then thanked France for its support of Ukraine, stating: “We are very grateful to France for its support. Everything you gave us was worth it.” And now we're thinking about the future, about rebuilding, about rehabilitation. And that's why the Second Wind movement exists: this is just the beginning.
Finally, Masha Kondakova paid tribute to the amputee soldiers, stating that despite their injuries, they remained true men: “I also wanted to show that wounded men can be sexy, handsome, and inspiring. When I met them all, I was impressed by their spirit and strength. The mountain is a metaphor. Everyone has their own summit to climb in their daily life, both professionally and personally.” This film encourages everyone to take the first step towards their dream and to persevere despite the obstacles.
A universal message of courage and solidarity
When asked about the message they wish to convey to the world, Olga and Oleksandr, two heroes of the film, displayed impressive resilience, humility, and strength of spirit, concluding simply:
"We don't need pity. We just wish this world were a little bit kinder."
Second Wind It transcends mere athletic achievement: it transforms pain into strength, trauma into inspiration, and becomes a universal symbol of resilience, brotherhood, and courage. This documentary is a call to action, solidarity, and perseverance, reminding us that even after the deepest wounds, life goes on…
