As I board the train from Kyiv railway station, heading back to the safe territory of Poland, my mind is overwhelmed by a tumultuous blend of the past 10 days—war, resilience, exhaustion, death, devastation, sorrow, memory, politics, diplomacy, and amid all, the pervasive stain of indifference.
This indifference, I realised, emerged from two reference points: Externally, the world’s growing desensitisation to the relentless reports of missiles falling, lives lost, and cultural treasures destroyed, and internally, the numbing endurance of a protracted war—surviving hardship while carrying the haunting absence of lost loved ones.
But amid the anguish and numbness, I also witnessed their transformation into art and humanitarian efforts—the vital forces that sustain humanity in the darkest times. Numerous international platforms have shared stories of Ukrainian poets, playwrights, and musicians who joined the military after February 2022, composed their final creative works in the trenches, and ultimately sacrificed their lives.
During my journey across the war-torn country, I saw an unyielding drive to produce art and provide humanitarian aid. This, dear reader, is the focus of today’s piece.
Also read: I saw Ukraine’s resilience from an air shelter in Odesa—it simply refuses to fall
Indians in Ukraine
One of the most profound responses of a society at war is the creation of wartime art and the collective effort to support fellow citizens. Ukraine, a battlefield in ways few could have foreseen, has also become a stage for these endeavours, echoing the resilience of many human societies before it.
As an Indian, I found it especially striking to encounter such contributions from unexpected quarters. Among them was the remarkable story of Rajeev Gupta, an Indian-origin industrialist-philanthropist and founder of the Kusum Group. Over the past three decades, his company grew to become the largest Indian undertaking in Ukraine and one of the most significant ventures by an Indian in Eastern Europe.
Gupta is arguably one of the most well-known Indians there. Since the war’s onset, he has donated approximately $500 million toward humanitarian relief efforts, supporting NGOs, healthcare facilities, and civilians. His office kitchen has operated as a community kitchen, his buildings offer bunkers that shield hundreds from devastating missile attacks, and he maintains vast stocks of life-saving medicines ready for distribution.
In recognition of his contributions, he was honoured with the Award of the President of Ukraine in 2023. Yet, there is much more to his story, which I will explore shortly.
For the record, several other Indian-origin entrepreneurs have also made remarkable contributions to humanitarian relief in Ukraine. One such figure is Dr Nagendra Parasher, affectionately known as the ‘Indian Angel’. At his 10 prosthetic centres across Ukraine, he has provided prosthetic limbs to wounded soldiers. Additionally, he has delivered several consignments of prosthetics on behalf of the Indian government, which has ramped up our country’s broader humanitarian efforts.
Dr Parasher’s pride is palpable when he recounts how the 100 per cent Made in India prosthetic limbs, manufactured in his factory back home, are shipped to Ukraine and distributed free of charge. His voice swells with emotion when asked what drives his work, and he credits the ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family—as his guiding philosophy.
Idealism aside, his daughter Anjali plays a crucial role in managing Kyiv’s largest prosthetic centre with ingenuity and dedication. During my visit, her team walked me through the process of delivering high-quality prosthetics to a growing number of injured soldiers in record time. A sudden power outage interrupted our conversation, but before I could react, dozens of cellphone torches lit up, and the discussion continued seamlessly. In the dim light, faces and shadows intertwined, voices steady yet weary, while the wounded sat quietly, their expressions distant yet serene, as if caught between reality and a dream.
In an adjacent room, soldiers with new prosthetics played soccer, adjusting their nerve responses to their artificial limbs—a bittersweet testament to resilience and adaptability.
As I prepared to leave, I noticed a young soldier, Dmitri, sitting near the exit. I gestured, asking if it was okay to smoke. He understood, smiled, and for a brief moment, seemed like any other 20-year-old—unburdened, full of potential. But the weight of what he had endured lingered in the silence. I found myself at a loss for words, my experiences inadequate to capture the depth of his reality.
The art and the artist
Where Gupta truly struck a unique chord was beyond his massive humanitarian aid efforts — where he and like-minded Indian-origin entrepreneurs like Dr Parasher are making India proud.
Gupta also possesses an infectious artistic sensibility. He is an art curator with a keen eye, and his impressive multi-storey office in suburban Kyiv is a testament to this passion. Its walls are adorned with custom-made paintings—mostly oil on canvas and mixed media—and his formidable collection includes sketches and watercolours.
As I explored his remarkable office, moving from room to room, I was captivated by a striking discovery: a large studio on one floor filled with an unusual assortment of wartime relics. This was no ordinary art studio—it showcased a collection of wartime debris: intercepted drone fragments, BM-21 Grad rocket parts, defused landmines, and other remnants of Russian military hardware since 2022. These objects, transformed into evocative art pieces by young Ukrainian artists, offered a powerful commentary on war.
One landmine casing depicted a tank battle under a swarm of ominous drones, with black smoke curling into a grey sky. A drone remnant was painted in a bold Eastern European palette, inscribed with the words ‘freedom’ and ‘love’ in both English and Ukrainian. Rocket fragments were gilded in brilliant gold, embellished with intricate Slavic patterns. On one metal cover, a famous autocrat’s face had been turned into that of an ape—a sardonic political statement. Another piece featured a 122 mm shell depicting a young girl gazing at her stylised reflection as vibrant poppies bloomed beneath her.
From eagles and ghosts in modernised Guernica patterns to couples kissing, girls stripping and pets with military gear staring straight into the eyes of the beholder — these empty shells told haunting stories of the fortunate and forsaken. Themes of human fragility under the shadow of nuclear war emerged through diverse styles: dry humour, sleek modernity, avant-garde abstraction, and chilling depictions of desensitised existence.
The featured artists were some of Ukraine’s finest, I learned. Names like Vasyliy Tsagolov, Anton Popernyak, Koterlin Rostyslav, Petro Antyp and many more graced the collection. When I asked how many more artists he intended to curate, Gupta simply shrugged and remarked that collecting art kept him sane amid the chaos. Indeed, I reflected—it seemed like a profound way to endure.
Later that night, as a soft November rain cloaked the city, I read about the folk and classical elements of Ukrainian visual art from the cosy confines of my hotel room — “realism and futurism intertwined to depict surrealistic scenes”. Revisiting the photos I had taken at Gupta’s office, I saw those artistic elements brought to life. His astounding personal collection captured the essence of defiance and resilience on canvas—a political statement and cultural archive, preserving the perseverance and anguish of a people for posterity.
Chronicling wars
The question of territory, borders and neutrality remains unresolved as the Ukraine war has seen a sharp escalation in the past week. Kyiv continues to call for additional air defences, long-range missiles, and increased ammunition, while Western nations, despite differing views on escalation and managing Russia, appear to be ramping up their support.
In chronicling wars, one often encounters extraordinary acts of resilience and brilliance that demand to be shared. While wars are waged on battlefields and debated at diplomatic tables, their impact seeps deeply into the daily lives of those who endure them.
Ukraine, in many ways, lays itself bare to the world each day. Its stories, diverse and poignant, reflect every shade of human existence, marked indelibly by the trials of conflict and the resilience of those who live through it.
The writer is a geopolitics analyst and author. She tweets @swasrao. Views are personal.
(Edited by Humra Laeeq)
Here comes the Nato shill., spewing nonsense once again Ukraine has voted against Inidian interestd in the uN al along. We dont have to shed a tear fro them, Art in the time of ear ..LOL.. who cares ? first survive
Loved your article, Swasti, a view beholds us to the beauty of human side evoked in times of such drastic , aimless wars . How futile are the wars and so torturous to the mankind!!
Thank you for giving us a direct and authentic view.
Great body of work most needed to uphold human resilience and love of life🌹❤