UNCHAIN MUSIC

Free the captured Ukrainian musicians—let the music play again

Unchain Music

WHAT HAPPENED

In spring 2022 as Russian forces seized Mariupol. Several thousand Ukrainian defenders and civilians sheltered in the underground facilities of a steel plant — Azovstal.

They were fully surrounded. Hundreds were wounded or gravely ill. After prolonged negotiations and an official order, the Azovstal defenders laid down their arms and entered captivity.

Released POW testimonies report daily beatings, systematic torture including cold exposure, electric shocks, and mock executions. Some of the captives are now in critical condition.

Among them are Ukrainian musicians—military band members. They did not take part in combat operations.

Thanks to your attention and solidarity, several musicians have already returned home. You can help those still held in Russian captivity.

Unchain Music
Unchain Music

WHO THEY ARE

9 non-combatant musicians

  • Yevheniy Drebet

    Євгеній Дребет

    guitar, composer

  • Anton Kriuchkov

    Антон Крючков

    trumpet

  • Pavlo Chelyshev

    Павло Челишев

    guitar

  • IvaN Luzhnyi

    Іван Лужний

    conductor, clarinet

  • Pavlo Petin

    Павло Петін

    vocal

  • Viktor Topalov

    Віктор Топалов

    tuba

  • Ivan Zakharov

    Іван Захаров

    bass trombone

  • Oleksandr Zui

    Олександр Зуй

    clarinet

  • Yevheniy Farionov

    Євгеній Фаріонов

    double bass

OUR CALL

We urge musicians, cultural institutions, audiences, and civil society of the free world to spotlight the captivity of Ukrainian musicians and demand their release.

Unchain Music

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Join the simple yet powerful actions. Share your voice, your image—or even silence. Make your work public—post on your social media, send to specific recipients, show to audiences—and share it with us.

#9SecondsForPOW

#9SecondsForPOW

Pause the music for 9 seconds of silence during a live performance or rehearsal. Each second of the pause represents one Ukrainian musician. 9 seconds to pause. 9 captives to remember.

#EmptySeat

#EmptySeat

Take a picture of an empty musician’s seat on the scene during rehearsal or performance. This empty seat symbolizes a Ukrainian musician currently in captivity.

#PlayForPOW

#PlayForPOW

Play for the Ukrainian musicians in captivity! Handcuffed, they can’t play themselves. You are their hands, you are their voice until the day that they are free.

RussT (RUSSian Torture)

RussT (RUSSian Torture)

Bring RussT into your public space. Host an installation dedicated to Ukrainian POWs, amplify the message, and help keep Ukrainian POWs visible—these crimes are happening now.