Volodymyr Minenko, whose call sign was "Actor," spent two years serving in the reconnaissance unit of Ukraine's Air Assault Forces, primarily on the Zaporizhzhia front. After sustaining life-threatening injuries and spending a week in intensive care, he returned to Kyiv more than a year ago.
Now 39, Minenko is rehearsing for director David Petrosyan's third production at the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater. Like Petrosyan's earlier productions, Polyandry and Troyanstvo, the new play explores society's attitude toward Ukraine's defenders and the need for greater understanding between civilians and those defending the country from Russian aggression.
In his first in-depth interview about his military service, Minenko speaks to Ukrinform about his time in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and explains why, after returning from the front, he had no desire to step back onto the stage.
AT A DISTRICT RECRUITMENT OFFICE IN KYIV, THE QUEUES OF VOLUNTEERS WANTING TO JOIN THE ARMED FORCES REACHED 200 PEOPLE
Ukrinform (UI): Volodymyr, after you were discharged from the military because of your injuries, you had no desire to return to the stage. Why? What made you decide to continue acting?
