The Kyiv Independent is a highly respected and widely followed English-language media outlet, which provides quality information on Ukraine and Eastern Europe.

As part of its ongoing work to strengthen media freedom and support quality journalism to counter disinformation, the Council of Europe project in Ukraine supported a special screening of The Kyiv Independent’s documentary “Can You Hear Me? The Invisible Battles of Ukrainian Military Medics”.

The screening took place on 11 March 2025 at Cinéma Star St-Exupéry in Strasbourg.

This powerful documentary follows a group of Ukrainian military medics as they transition from the frontlines of war-torn Ukraine to a mental health retreat in Sweden. Through their journey, they confront the deep trauma of war—grappling with the loss of comrades, surviving Russian captivity, and carrying the guilt of not being able to save every soldier they treated.

Ambassadors Therese Hydén, Sweden and Borys Tarasyuk, Ukraine delivered opening remarks, setting the stage for the screening.

Following the film, an interactive discussion with its authors, journalists Francis Farrell and Olena Zashko, provided deeper insights into the creation of the documentary. They also highlighted the critical but often overlooked issue of military medics’ psychological well-being. Despite their vital role in saving lives, their own struggles remain largely invisible, making this conversation even more essential.

The Council of Europe Project “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in Ukraine” (SFEM-UA) is implemented by the Council of Europe  Division for Co-operation on Freedom of Expression in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026.