When Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, ordinary Ukrainian citizens underwent an extraordinary transformation—becoming soldiers virtually overnight. Four years into the conflict, the BBC has documented the profound personal journeys of nine such individuals, whose lives have been irrevocably altered by war.
Olena, once a nightclub administrator in Prague, abandoned her cosmopolitan existence to become a military pilot. She reflects on her pre-war self as “more naive” and notes how her priorities have shifted from material pursuits to the fundamental preservation of her comrades’ lives. “My place is here as long as the enemy is in my house,” she states with resolve.
Oleh, a publishing graduate and former NGO worker, described his initial reaction as one of fear and confusion. Despite having no military background, he enlisted within a month, trading role-playing board games for actual combat. The war shattered his belief in positive thinking techniques, revealing that only direct action could counter armed aggression.
Anastasia’s path led from being a barista to operating First Person View drones—a role where she constantly battles gender discrimination. “You constantly have to prove you are worthy,” she explains. The conflict has clarified her values, teaching her to appreciate simple happiness: time with loved ones, good food, and the security of waking up tomorrow.
Roman, a top bio-engineer specializing in facial reconstruction, might have been working with leading surgeons in Copenhagen. Instead, he applies his medical expertise on the front lines while operating drones. He lives strictly in the present, acknowledging that reconstruction work will await him long after hostilities cease.
Viktor, who had previously served four years before moving to Poland, returned immediately after the invasion began. He barely recognizes his pre-war self, describing the person in earlier photos as “a little boy” unaware of what awaited him. Most of his comrades have perished in the conflict.
The most harrowing accounts come from soldiers who endured captivity. Serhii, captured during the siege of Azovstal, spent over two years as a prisoner of war—an experience he describes as feeling “doomed” without any certainty about the future. Kyrylo, held for several weeks in 2022, witnessed comrades being abused while powerless to intervene. Both struggle with reintegration, with Kyrylo noting the painful transition from being “someone” on the battlefield to feeling like “nobody” in civilian life.
These personal narratives reveal the war’s deep psychological toll and the complete transformation of identity experienced by those who answered their nation’s call. From redefined values to enduring trauma, these soldiers embody both the resilience and sacrifice of Ukraine’s civilian army.