On Friday, December 26, the official platforms of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine premiered the short film “Retribution”. 

As emphasized by the press service of the Special Operations Forces, the film became a response to the cynical reopening by the Russians of the Mariupol Drama Theater.

The occupiers reconstructed the building that had been destroyed by a Russian aerial bomb in 2022 together with the people who were sheltering there from shelling. Today, new performances are already being staged in the “restored” drama theater.

At the center of the film’s plot is a musician from Mariupol who, despite the occupation regime, continues to nurture hope for Ukraine’s return. The lead role was played by Marian Pyrih, founder of the Ukrainian folk band Pyrih i Batih.

“The Ukrainian spirit continues to flourish underground. Today, every Ukrainian living under occupation can recognize themselves in the image of the musician whose life was divided into ‘before’ and ‘after’.  He wakes up every day with a dream — to sing in Ukrainian again on the streets of his city. At times it feels like a dream, but the dream turns out to be stronger than any fear. It unites thousands of Ukrainians into an invisible network of resistance, united by the dream of a free and indivisible Ukraine”, — Pyrih shares.

The video concludes with artistic footage depicting the elimination of the leadership of the Russian Federation, which allegedly arrived for the reopening of the theater. According to the concept, the operation is carried out by members of the Ukrainian Resistance Movement.

The film was released in cooperation with the 2nd Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine “Khartiia” and the Cultural Forces of Ukraine.

One can join the Resistance Movement via the official resource: opir.org.ua.