People's Artist of Ukraine Viktor Zhdanov, known to the general public for his role as the father of the family in the TV series " In 2014, the actor and his family were forced to leave their native Donetsk, and in 2022, his Kherson region found itself under Russian occupation. In an interview with NV, Zhdanov emphasized that it was much easier for him and his family than for those who found themselves under open occupation in 2022. “It was much easier for us than for those people who found themselves in the occupation, who did not have the opportunity to leave, who were shot. Thank God, this bypassed us, because at that time the invasion was sluggish, they were still hiding behind something. And now they have already openly declared who they are and what they will do: they will shoot,” said the actor.

He also shared his observations of the unity of the nation at the start of the full-scale invasion. At the same time, Zhdanov remembered how warmly they were greeted by the west of Ukraine at that time.

“Now, when the war has dragged on for four years, it’s already a little difficult for people, but at the beginning they met, accepted, gave away houses, shared the last. I saw this personally when my wife and I took our daughter abroad. There was so much kindness in Lvov, I can’t tell you. It was the unity of the nation! "

The war caught Viktor Zhdanov for the second time during the filming of the film " On February 23, 2022, he traveled from Kyiv to the Kherson region. The very next day, the actor witnessed how the Chernobaevsky airport burned.

Awareness of the reality of the war did not come immediately: despite preliminary signals, a full-scale attack seemed to him “incredible and incomprehensible”. His work and team helped him recover from the shock: in the first days of the invasion, the theater where he works continued to stage performances, and full houses of spectators gave the actors a sense of community and responsibility.