RIDERS ON THE STORM

RIDERS ON THE STORM

The documentary project «VARTA» presents the second short film novella «RIDERS ON THE STORM».

Duration: 20 min
Theme: Armor / Tank crews
Premiere: May 2024
Purpose: Film festivals, curated screenings

Synopsis

RIDERS ON THE STORM tells the story of the soldiers of the 25th Airborne Brigade — tank crews who fight on the eastern front using Soviet-era armored vehicles.

Former farmers, rappers, and tractor drivers are now tank battalion fighters. They conduct fierce tank battles, cover infantry assaults, and reclaim Ukrainian land step by step — showing the war through the tank sight.

Hero stories

Dnipro — Tank crew (Vadym Synytsia)

25th Airborne Brigade

Tank gunner — Tank crew member

25th Airborne Brigade

Driver-mechanic — Tank crew member

25th Airborne Brigade

Stills gallery

Behind the scenes

RIDERS ON THE STORM was filmed alongside an active tank unit during real combat operations.

The crew lived with the soldiers and captured their daily routine: night alerts, constant movement, long waiting, and short moments of silence before battles.

Filming inside armored vehicles created extreme technical and physical challenges — limited space, vibration, heat, and intense noise. Most scenes were recorded during real missions, without staged reenactments.

Music plays a crucial role in the novella: it becomes the emotional compass through the chaos of war, where words are often unnecessary.

Awards & media mentions

FILM DETAILS

DIRECTOR
EVGEN BROOKS @about_brooks
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
MARIANA SHAFRO
EDIT BY
MARK SHUST @mark.shust
DIRECTOR ASSISTANT
SOFIIA CHAIKOVSKA @sofikoo
MUSIC COMPOSER
IGOR KIRILENKO @igor64kbps
COO
YULIIA BYRLAD @2b.julia
PHOTOGRAPHER
MARIANA SHAFRO
COSTUME DESIGNER
OLENKA DIDYK @olenkadidyk
COSTUME DESIGNER ASSISTANT
MARGO KOZYNSKA @redkvitka

TECH EDITOR / MASTERING (CINEMA & TV)
MARK SHUST
COLOR GRADE
ARTEM VELYCHKOVSKYI @artveli.color
SOUND DIRECTOR
DMYTRO MOROZ
ORIGINAL MUSIC
GERDAN THEATRE @gerdantheatre
ANASTASIIA KOSTIUK
MORWAN @mmorwwan
GRAPHIC DESIGN
KRISTINA AZAD @kristinaazad
TRANSLATION
ILLIA NOVIKOV @end_of_metrium
DCP MASTERING
OLEKSANDR DZHELMACH
RENTAL STUDIO
PATRIOT RENTAL @patriotrental
ACCOUNTANT
NIKITA RYBKA @mykytarybka

CAST
REBEKAH MACIOROWSKI @bekamaciorowskiïi
SOPHIA YANCHEVSKA @sophiayanchevska
OLENA SONTSESLAVA @sontseslava
DARIA NESTEROVA @kara.next
BRITTNEY SHKI-GIIZIS
MISHELLE KASPROVA @michelle_ka12
OLEXANDRA BATIY @alexbatiy
OLHA NOSYK
PUCHKOVSKA KHRYSTYNA (MIVINA) @babka_inside_
VALENTYNA NAHORNA (VALKIRIA)
DEN ZDRAVCHEV (DEN) @denisden5786

SPECIAL THANKS FOR SUPPORT

MIKE SHAFRO @ mishafro
YURIY PLESKACH @yuriypleskach
OLEXANDR BORODYN @olexandrbo
KYRYLO JOROV @zhorov_kyrylo
DANYLO MELNYKOV @danylo_melnykov
SVITLANA ZHOVNIRENKO @svitlana22061935
PAVLO ZHOVNIRENKO
IVAN HONCHAR MESEUM @honchar.museum
ТРЕТІЙ АРМІЙСЬКИЙ КОРПУС @ab3.army

Impact & screening history

Impact of the VARTA Project

VARTA is more than a film series — it is a living document of modern Ukrainian history.
Through cinematic storytelling, the project preserves the faces, voices, and personal stories of those who defend Ukraine today.

Since its launch, VARTA has reached wide audiences both in Ukraine and internationally, becoming a powerful cultural and humanitarian initiative.

Project Impact

  • 1,500,000+ views across digital platforms

  • 1,000,000+ UAH raised to support Ukrainian military units

  • International premieres in Ukraine, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Latvia, and the United States

  • Screenings, discussions, and panel talks with filmmakers, military experts, and heroes of the films

  • Media coverage in leading Ukrainian and international outlets

Each screening of VARTA strengthens global awareness of the war in Ukraine and directly contributes to real support for those on the front lines.

DONATE

How your support works

Your support turns cinema into action

VARTA is an independent documentary project created under real wartime conditions.
Every contribution directly supports both filmmaking and the people whose stories are told on screen.

How support is used

  • Production of new documentary films and episodes

  • Filming in frontline and military locations

  • Editing, sound design, music, and post-production

  • Subtitles and international distribution

  • Organization of public screenings and discussions

  • Direct financial assistance to Ukrainian military units featured in the films

Supporting VARTA means helping preserve historical truth, amplify authentic voices, and transform cultural work into tangible aid.

Ways to support

You can support VARTA in several ways

Donate
Make a one-time or recurring donation to help fund film production and military support initiatives.

Become a Partner
Support the project as a brand, organization, or foundation and become part of VARTA’s cultural and humanitarian mission.

Attend Screenings
Join public screenings, premieres, and discussions to help spread awareness and support the project’s visibility.

Share the Story
Watch, share, and recommend VARTA films on social media and digital platforms to reach wider audiences.

Collaborate
Media, cultural institutions, educational platforms, and festivals are welcome to collaborate on screenings and special events.

Every form of support helps ensure that these stories are told, remembered, and continued.

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