Plan International Canada 202d ago

Lives changed overnight in Ukraine when Russian armed forces launched a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Nearly four years later, the crisis continues to haunt young Ukrainians. In this mini-documentary directed by Polish filmmaker Michal Korta, meet Danylo, who shares how the war has left invisible scars on the minds of boys and young men like himself. “Before the war, young boys dreamed of becoming cosmonauts (Russian astronauts), engineers, and doctors,” explains Danylo. “Now, they want to become soldiers – protect their homes and seek revenge for their families.” Danylo participated as a youth advisor in a Plan International survey of more than 200 boys and young men aged 17 to 25 across Ukraine, Poland, Romania, and Moldova. The report found that: - Over half didn’t know where to find mental health support. - 56% felt too ashamed to ask for help. - Coping mechanisms included withdrawal, aggression, or substance use.