Murals in Zaporizhzhia and front line areas show that this land in Ukraine

Espreso shares unique footage. 

Across war-torn regions of Ukraine, artists are transforming the scarred walls of destroyed buildings into canvases of defiance, creating powerful murals that symbolize resistance and resilience. These artworks, often painted in areas near the front lines, serve as a bold declaration of Ukrainian identity and a source of encouragement for those living under occupation.

“The artwork is my pain, my faith — everything I believe in. Here it is.”

Mykhailo Skop, an artist from Lviv known as #neivanmade, is at the forefront of this movement. He travels to frontline areas to create murals that reinforce the message that this land belongs to Ukraine. Skop's art is intended to support both the military defending the country and the civilians enduring life under occupation.

"This is necessary because, first of all, it marks our territory," Skop explained. "It shows those who are attacking us that this is our land - not just buildings, but Ukraine, and Ukrainians live here. And it’s also for those who resist the occupation, so they can see it too. It’s a symbol of the people who are doing real work."

In Zaporizhzhia, Skop created a striking mural depicting a masked shadow stabbing a red two-headed rooster, a clear reinterpretation of the Russian coat of arms, with a knife. The scene is set against a backdrop of sunflowers, a prominent symbol of Ukraine’s resistance and a flower deeply associated with the nation. The sunflowers are arranged in an arch reminiscent of Ukrainian modernist art from the early 20th century, highlighting Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage, which is currently under threat from Russian forces.

Serhiy Ilchenko, Head of the Khortytsia District Administration, emphasized the mural's significance for the community. "Since this mural is painted on a building near a cultural services centre - a place where children study and develop - it serves as an element of patriotic education. Patriotic education in action."

The initiative to create these resistance murals is a joint effort by the Resistance Movement of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces and the National Resistance Centre. Plans are underway to expand the project to other frontline regions, ensuring that the message of resistance continues to spread.