— You have visited Donbass many times. Tell me what are you doing there?
– I first went there on business in April – I was shooting stories for Channel One. From the first trip there, I understood that they would now become regulars, because it was impossible to remain indifferent to the situation.
This week I started the Women of Donbass project. These are the stories of women who have been tested over the past eight years. It is important for me not only to talk about them, but also to give every caring citizen of Russia the opportunity to participate in their destinies, to help them.
Can you tell us a little about your characters and their stories?
— There are no simple stories, they will not leave anyone indifferent. But Donbass women have a special strength and pride. They all have one thing in common – they do not know how to ask. It is quite difficult to get them to answer the question of what do you need. And more often they ask not for themselves, but for others.
I was very impressed by the story of Nina Ponomareva from Mariupol. Her husband was killed by a sniper in the courtyard of their house. He was buried there. The children still do not believe in the death of their father and go to the grave to play. The house is destroyed, it is impossible to live there. But in response to my question about how we can help her, she asked for help not for herself, but for her mother-in-law: the mother of her murdered husband also suffered from hostilities – with an explosion, his leg was severed . And without a husband and home, with five children in her arms, Nina seeks help to raise money for a prosthesis not for herself, but for her mother-in-law.
Or the wonderful story of Yulia Mikhailova. It came under fire in 2015. She had 12 surgeries and lost her arm and leg. It is impossible to hold back the tears while describing what happened at that moment. However, she did not give up and later started working in a rehabilitation center to help people who were victims of shelling and landmines.
Svetlana Bunakova gave birth in the basement of a maternity hospital in Mariupol for an eternity and during the recent months of war. And during this time she gave 27 babies a chance at life. And when there was no other doctor left, she was forced to become the deputy chief physician of this hospital.
There is a story that Lisa, the eldest child of a family of four children, became the head of the family at the age of 17 when her mother died and was buried in the garden. The heroine of another story, Valentina, helps and feeds all the homeless animals she finds, although she herself is going through a difficult time. She collects injured pets and heals them. There are thirty of the most touching, sad and heroic stories that I really want to show and want to help their heroes.
— Have you visited local hospitals, communicated with injured residents of cities?
– This was my first story – we came to the Republic Trauma Center. At that moment there were many injured children from Mariupol, Donetsk. I will never forget, just never. It’s so scary when a small child says to you, “But I’m hurt.” A four-year-old shouldn’t know what the wound is.
Now every time I come to Donetsk I make sure to visit this center. Evgeny Zhilitsyn, head of the children’s department of the Republican Center for Traumatology, is really my hero. This man gives me immense respect and admiration for everything he does. For him, when an injured child comes, the most important thing is to save his limbs. He’s doing such an operation that it’s hard to imagine.
“I can’t help but ask if you’re under fire?”
“We came under fire while we were on the front lines. I don’t know where the guys got the motherwort, but apparently they’ve seen my eyes. It’s such a feeling when you’re sitting underground in a bunker and you hear the mines whistle above your head. Nothing, drank motherwort and calmed down. We sat down, got out and continued on our way. Last week I shot a story about Olga Seletskaya, who was held captive by the Ukrainian Armed Forces for months in Donetsk. At this time, the shelling began outside the window. I shudder from every explosion and this iron woman doesn’t even pay attention to them.
– How are things going in terms of humanitarian aid to residents? Is he getting enough?
“Humanitarian aid can never be plentiful. Therefore, the more people respond, the better. When you help someone, you help yourself the most, and you feel an extraordinary sense of lightness and satisfaction.
If someone does not understand what I am talking about now, simply answer this question, go to help and it will become clear in no time. When you see people’s grateful eyes, you want to give more.
When asked how you can help, the answer is simple: with anything you can. Sometimes you see that somewhere a fee is announced, you sit and think: I do not have the financial strength and can conditionally transfer 100 rubles, well, who will they help. You’re transferring them because as a result, a lot happens if everyone transfers such an amount. Scale is difficult to assess without seeing it live, and even ordinary small amounts and simple things can help.
– How can people be sure that the funds they transfer will help the heroes of the project?
All assistance to the heroes of the project is aimed. On the project website “Women of Donbass”, at the bottom of each story there is a link and a QR code where you can fully assist the heroine whose story touched you the most. The guarantee that all the funds collected will reach their goal, as well as the Generations Memorial Foundation, of which I have been the ambassador for years, All-Russian People’s Front. I have confidence in these partners. You will be given a full account of how much has been collected and transferred. I’m in that category that believes philanthropy should be transparent. Anyone who transfers a penny has the right to know what it went for. We will report every story.
— Can you tell us more about the Women of Donbass project?
— 30 mini-movies we made with the support of the Internet Development Institute. No need to mention them over and over, just look. These stories will not leave you indifferent. We tell in detail about each of our heroes, how to help him and how to do it.
— Do you have any new projects in your plans? Are they related to social issues?
– Yes, public and social activities have long worried me much more than secular receptions. Thanks to the Man/Woman program, I understand very well how and how my country lives. It has become an important part of my life. I will definitely continue to shoot stories for Channel One.
There are two categories of people that are very important to me – the most vulnerable – these are the elderly and children. If we meet in a few months, I will be able to tell you in more detail about the most important social project for orphans that we started with the Popular Front. But I sincerely believe that this is something very important and necessary. Otherwise I wouldn’t be there.
– I want to end our conversation and ask. Were you scared during your trips to Donbass?
– Frankly? Number. Of course you’re scared when you’re in place and hear explosions. But there is one goal you need to focus on and not be distracted by whether you are afraid or not in the process.
My relatives, especially children, are more worried. But they know for sure that if the mother decides on something, then it is indispensable. Therefore, they support me even if they pass.