Forged by War
Independence Avenue Media and 1+1 Production present Forged by War: Stories of Ukrainian Veterans — a documentary series about those who served on the battlefield and continue to serve long after the gunfire fades.
This is not a story about war. It is a story about the human spirit. About dignity. About resilience. About duty, sacrifice, and the quiet battles that follow. About men and women who were wounded in combat and who now fight for something different – for understanding, for meaning, for respect, for the rights of fellow veterans, and for the future of Ukraine.
Forged by War explores what it means to endure – physically, morally, and psychologically. It is about resilience forged under fire and the long, disciplined road from survival to renewed purpose.
SNIPER
The first episode of Forged by War follows Dmytro Finashyn, a Ukrainian sniper who joined the defense of Ukraine from the very first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Wounded near Soledar in May 2022, Dmytro lost his arm in a Russian attack. What followed was not retreat, but transformation. Through intimate first-person narration, Sniper traces his journey from frontline combat and catastrophic injury to rehabilitation, renewed strength, and continued service to others. Learning to shoot again. Learning to drive again. Leaning to live again with and without a prosthetic, not a symbol of loss, but as proof of endurance. This is a portrait of a soldier who refuses to be defined by what was taken from him. A man who confronts trauma without self-pity, who embodies discipline and responsibility, and chooses service – even after being wounded.
INSTRUCTOR
A Ukrainian veteran and former combat medic, Vladyslav Romanetskiy is learning to live with PTSD by stepping into a different kind of battlefield — buhurt, or medieval combat. After serving on the front lines and receiving a medical discharge caused by trauma and neurological damage, he struggled with sleep, sensory triggers, and the loss of a normal life. What began as part of rehabilitation became a way to channel adrenaline, regain control, and feel like himself again. Through the “Buhurt Sich” project, Vladyslav found not only a physical outlet, but also a community that understands what war leaves behind. Surrounded by others with similar experiences, he now trains, fights, and teaches, helping fellow veterans navigate their own recovery. Vladyslav says medieval combat has brought therapy, brotherhood, and a return to his identity.
A Ukrainian POW’s Life After Russian Captivity | Forged by War
A year in Russian captivity changed Ukrainian veteran Maksym Kolesnikov.
Captured in the opening days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Maksym lost more than 30 kilograms in a prison he describes as “a concentration camp for Ukrainians.”
The footage of his release — handed an apple, he was barely able to believe it was real — made him a symbol before anyone knew his name. In this episode of Forged by War, Maksym shares his story of capture, survival and the difficult path back to civilian life, including learning, slowly, how to eat again.
She Won Gold for Her Fallen Coach — Ukraine Veteran’s Story
She survived the Revolution of Dignity, volunteered to fight twice, overcame PTSD, and became a champion who now helps fellow veterans rebuild their lives.
Maia Moskvych is a veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian War, a two-time Invictus Games gold medalist, a three-time Warrior Games gold medalist, and the founder of the Lutsk Falcons archery club. Her journey began during Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity. After Russia occupied Crimea, Maia volunteered to serve in Ukraine’s volunteer forces.
In 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion, she once again joined the military. She endured fierce combat, the loss of fellow soldiers, PTSD, and the death of the coach who believed in her until the very end.
“He used to say, ‘Maya, you have to do this. We have to take the medal.’ But by the time I actually left for the games, he had already been killed,” she says. “I realized I had to win those medals, because those were the last words of his that I could remember. It was incredibly hard for me. But I won.”
Archery became her path to healing. It helped her find peace after war, win five gold medals in international competition, and build a community where Ukrainian veterans now use sport as a tool for recovery. This is a story of resilience, loss, and healing. A story about transforming personal pain into hope for those returning home from war.
To provide clarity in a complex world through fact-based storytelling about American policy, politics, and society.