The creative association “VYR” and the Museum and Exhibition Center of the Museum of Kyiv History present a new virtual reality project, “The Price of Freedom.”

“On the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, we are presenting a virtual tour that demonstrates the price paid by Ukrainians for freedom and independence. Although we are practically living through a war chronicle, this project will serve as a reminder that the war is here and still ongoing. Ukrainian statehood was achieved at a great cost, and we continue to pay no less to preserve it,” emphasizes Diana Popova, General Director of the Museum of Kyiv History.

From the very first days of the large-scale war launched by Russia against Ukraine in February 2022, the creative association “VYR” conducted video documentation of the consequences of war crimes by the Russian army, including the use of drones.

Immediately after the liberation of Kyiv region, the filming team visited sites of active combat and nearly all the cities around Kyiv that had endured the horrors of occupation. In some cases, filming took place the day after Russian forces had fled. For example, the Armed Forces of Ukraine expelled the invaders from Hostomel on March 31, 2022, and video footage of Hostomel airport with the destroyed “Mriya” was filmed on April 2, 2022. At that time, the entire airport territory remained dangerous due to mines and unexploded ordnance.

Part of the accumulated video material was incorporated into the chronicle film “The Price of Freedom” in virtual reality format (VR-360), which provides a “sense of presence.” This allows anyone to visit Bucha, Irpin, Borodianka, Moschun, Hostomel Airport, and the bridge immediately after their liberation and, in virtual reality, witness the footage that shook the entire world.

This project shows the real face of war, when “the guns fall silent” and it becomes possible to grasp the scale of destruction – of crossings and bridges, villages and cities, behind which lie the fates of people and the entire nation.

“The human psyche is arranged in such a way that, for self-preservation, we forget all that is bad, frightening, and tragic. We erase from memory the horror we have endured, or simply keep the pain inside, without telling anyone. Examples of this are people who survived World War II, famine, and repression. They were very reserved, and unfortunately, we still do not know many details and circumstances of those tragic times. Our film ‘The Price of Freedom’ will, even 100 years from now, not only show how it really was, but allow viewers to feel as if they are actually there. And it will not let anyone forget who our enemy is and what the true price of freedom is,” comments the project’s creator, Ivan Novyk.

The creative association “VYR” is a team of Ukrainian specialists in media content production. Directors, screenwriters, camera operators, producers, and other film industry professionals have combined their experience and efforts to implement projects aimed at supporting Ukraine’s victory during the full-scale Russian aggression.

The virtual tour has been available for viewing since July 28, according to the opening hours of the Museum and Exhibition Center.