Washington, DC. -February 11, 2026 – The week’s usual rhythm of the Catholic University of America full of lectures and seminars was interrupted by evening that began as a screening of the Film Children in the Fire, by Director Evgeny Afineevsky but transformed into something more intimate following the film: a room full of people listening- carefully, quietly – to children who have lived through Russia’s war against Ukraine, and who refuse to let that war define their lives.
The Very Rev. Father Mark Morozowich, director of the Center of Ukrainian Church Studies, welcomed guests and provided context to the movie they were about to see, reminding the audience of the unwavering bravery of the Ukrainian people and the power of faith and prayer in the face of the adversary. The screening was made possible through a partnership with the US-Ukraine Foundation, particularly with Nadia K McConnel, the Foundation’s co-founder and president, and Nova Ukraine, whose generous support helped fund travel and lodging in the USA for the film’s young protagonists. We also heard a greeting from Nova Ukraine’s CEO, Erin E. McKee, read by Sasha. The Screening was followed by Q&A with director Evgeny Afineevsky and five Ukrainian children featured in the documentary: Valeriia Sydorova, Bohdan Yermokhin, and Vladislav Burial, who were forcefully deported to Russia and had to fight their way back home. Roman Oleksiv and Veronika Vlasova, who suffered life-altering injuries during a Russian airstrike on civilians in Vinnytsia and Kramatorsk.
Director Afineevsky spoke about the responsibility of telling the stories that matter – and why this film continues his longstanding work documenting Ukraine’s struggle. He shared with the audience what moved him to start the work on the film and how, after two weeks of meeting these kids who survived Russia’s inhumane behavior, he realized how emotionally difficult it would be to finish the work he started.
Their children captivated the audience as their voices during the Q and A spoke for the thousands of children and families who could not speak, who carry on in silence, and the fact that their story often gets lost behind other headlines. Many kids, when asked what they are dreaming of, simply answered: “I am dreaming of returning to my home.” They also reminded the public that many children still cannot speak for themselves: “There are kids that are in Russia who cannot speak and kids who will never speak”. They described how the body and mind still remembers, even being here in the US, far from danger: “We have been walking around America, and any time we hear weird sounds we stop and think because it sounds like the drones that are targeting us in Ukraine.” One of the kids, when asked what kind of courage is required to overcome the situation they were in, responded: “In bravery there is a word, the word is top, to say the word stop…To stop kidnapping Ukrainian children, to stop killing Ukrainian people, just stop.” The room grew still when one of them said what no one wants to picture but everyone must face: “ We are sitting here right now and somewhere out there a child is being tortured… So I am asking you here tonight to please never forget us at this moment.” Fr. Mark thanked the children for their witness and reminded all that the light and love that the children share witness that love conquers hate.
The film will be released publicly in the near future. The organizers encouraged the audience to share this witness in the spirit the children demanded: “never forget about us.” Not later. Not when it is easier. Now, while Ukraine is still under fire.
