About Author

Serhiy Kolodka is a Ukrainian iconographer, a graduate of the Lviv National Academy of Arts. He is the author of more than 20 churches in Ukraine and abroad. He currently lives in Vancouver, Canada. Since 2016, Serhiy has been actively involved in the volunteer movement, helping the Armed Forces and the Air Force. He is a co-founder of the volunteer project "From Artists for Soldiers".

About Painting

The painting "Cossacks Writing a Letter to Putin" is a cover of the famous work of Ukrainian artist Ilya Repin "Cossacks Writing a Letter to the Turkish Sultan".

The painting depicts contemporary heroes of the Ukrainian-Moscow war. The action takes place in Crimea, not far from the entrance to the city of Simferopol, which can be seen in the background, on the left. A Ukrainian flag is hoisted above a massive Russian tricolor, symbolizing Ukraine's victory in an unequal struggle.

Azov Soldiers and the DUK PS

In the foreground, on the right, are the Azov soldiers (standing) and the DUK PS (sitting) - their backs are turned to us, or rather we are behind them, i.e. under their protection. These figures represent the first wave of volunteers who stood up to defend the country from the very beginning of the Russian aggression back in 2014.

Valeriy Zaluzhny

Further to the right, you can recognize the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhny, who is smiling and turned to us. He looks at the Azov warrior with respect, as an equal

Women in the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Behind Zaluzhnyi is a woman (wearing a helmet) who represents women in the Armed Forces.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi

Immediately behind woman, one can recognize the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Land Forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Yevhen Karas and Serhiy Prytula

In the center of the canvas, in the background, a well-known public figure and soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yevhen Karas, raises his hand (with a helmet). Next to him stands a well-known volunteer Serhiy Prytula, pointing to a column of smoke, in the direction of the Muscovite army (the project "In Revenge", this inscription can be seen on a box in the foreground at the bottom left)

Valeriy Markus

Ahead of Karas and Prytula, we can recognize the famous Ukrainian Armed Forces sergeant, writer, and traveler Valeriy Markus (cigar in hand).

Serhiy Sternenko and dog Patron

In the place of the clerk, the famous public figure and blogger Serhiy Sternenko is depicted at the table. Next to him is the legendary dog Patron, a rescuer, sapper, and media personality.  

The figures of Prytula and Sternenko represent the volunteer movement, as well as millions of Ukrainians who bring victory closer through their work and donations to the Armed Forces.

Dmytro Karpenko

In the foreground on the left (with a naked torso), one can recognize Dmytro Karpenko, a well-known journalist and author of a series of interviews with Russian prisoners of war. An interesting detail is that Dmytro is sitting on the Russian prisoner (with a "Z" patch on his sleeve) as if he were sitting on a stool.

Serhiy "Machine Gun"

To the left of Sternenko are two Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers, modeled after real soldiers. The one on the far left (sitting on a box) can be recognized as Serhiy "Machine Gun", a volunteer soldier and commander of the Right Sich unit in the Kherson region.

‍
It should be noted that the author of the painting considers Kherson region to be his second homeland, as his father grew up there.

Yurii Stepanenko and Taras Shevchenko

On the left, in a red jacket, cap, and black bulletproof vest, is a well-known volunteer and later a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yurii Stepanenko. To his right is a soldier wearing a helmet with a mustache, reminiscent of the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, as he might look if he were in the Armed Forces today.

Mykola Serha

At the top left (with a beard) is an unknown Ukrainian soldier, a stern and brooding character. Next to him is a character who looks like Mykola Serha, a famous Ukrainian artist and member of the "Cultural Landing" of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

‍

The diversity of the characters in the painting reflects the unity of the Ukrainian people in the fight against the invaders, despite the different types of military units, volunteer groups, public and volunteer organizations.

United in Ukraine's Victory!