Awareness
I was created as a tribute to Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces, as part of OKO ZA OKO — a joint initiative by the OKKO network and the Come Back Alive Foundation. I stand in gratitude to those who weren’t professional soldiers, yet chose — from day one — to defend their cities and their country. — a gesture of gratitude to those who, though not professional soldiers, consciously stepped forward to defend their cities and country from the very first days of Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine.
My purpose is to help you feel the inner journey they endured — from confusion to unwavering resolve. Take a moment. Look into my essence. Walk the path of awareness.
Awareness
I was created as a tribute to Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces, as part of OKO ZA OKO — a joint initiative by the OKKO network and the Come Back Alive Foundation. I stand in gratitude to those who weren’t professional soldiers, yet chose — from day one — to defend their cities and their country. — a gesture of gratitude to those who, though not professional soldiers, consciously stepped forward to defend their cities and country from the very first days of Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine.
My purpose is to help you feel the inner journey they endured — from confusion to unwavering resolve. Take a moment. Look into my essence. Walk the path of awareness.
I also mirror the inner shift we have all undergone since February 24, 2022
Do you remember the moment you first heard the words: “This is war”? Were you overwhelmed by shock and confusion? Awareness came later — and with it, strength and unity. I represent the shift from fear to resolve, from panic to acceptance, from helplessness to the power to act — and a steadfast confidence in victory. I embody two states of one person, who made a conscious choice then. And keeps making it every day.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the OKKO gas station network and the Come Back Alive Foundation — a fund providing competent aid to Ukraine’s army — have jointly launched the OKO ZA OKO project. Its goal is to equip the military with essential technology and weaponry. Through this initiative, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have received reconnaissance systems, infantry arms, and Pullstron strike-reconnaissance complexes. In March 2025, OKKO also supported the Foundation’s Dronefall project — and their commitment has only grown stronger since. Throughout every phase of the OKO ZA OKO project, OKKO donates one hryvnia from every liter of Pulls fuel sold to help strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
It was during the second phase — OKO ZA OKO: Arming the Territorial Defense to the Teeth — that the idea of creating an art object emerged, as a tribute and gratitude to the Territorial Defense Forces. The Come Back Alive Foundation embraced the vision, and OKKO covered the full cost of bringing it to life.
The concept was realized by Ukrainian sculptors Yehor and Mykyta Zigura — renowned artists whose works are recognized both in Ukraine and abroad.
With the support of public institutions that stood behind this artistic initiative, the project found its place in a public space in Ukraine’s capital.
Awareness is an unusual sculptural composition created as a tribute to Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces, part of the joint OKO ZA OKO project by the OKKO gas station network and the Come Back Alive Foundation. This interesting art object honors those who were not professional soldiers, yet made the conscious decision — from the very first days of the full-scale war — to stand in defense of their city and their country.
The sculptures were created as part of the OKO ZA OKO initiative — a joint project by the OKKO gas station network and the Come Back Alive Foundation, which provides competent assistance to Ukraine’s military. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, OKKO and Come Back Alive have been supplying the Armed Forces of Ukraine with reconnaissance systems, infantry weapons, Pullstron strike-reconnaissance complexes, upgraded FPV drones paired with pickup trucks, radios, generators, and drone interceptors. Throughout every phase of the OKO ZA OKO initiative, OKKO donates one hryvnia from every liter of Pulls fuel sold to strengthen Ukraine’s defense. It was during the second phase — OKO ZA OKO: Arming the Territorial Defense to the Teeth — that the idea emerged to create an art object as a tribute and gratitude to the Territorial Defense Forces.
Throughout the creative process, the concept went through several iterations. At one point, the idea of bridges — symbols of resistance during the fighting in the Kyiv region — was considered. But after extensive consultations with representatives of the Territorial Defense Forces and the Come Back Alive Foundation, the creative team decided to focus on the individual and their inner experience. As a result, a collective image was born — not of one particular person, but of everyone who made a conscious choice to defend their country.
“We intentionally moved away from a strictly military theme to highlight the internal state of a person,” says Mykyta Zigura, co-author of the sculpture. “Because at that point, we were not talking about professional soldiers, but about people who had lived peaceful lives and took up arms in response to Russian aggression. The sculpture captures the journey from fear to determination, from chaos to strength.”
Awareness is not a traditional monument — it’s an artistic gesture of gratitude. Its purpose is to draw attention, to make people pause and reflect.
Projects like this are an essential part of the public dialogue about war, memory, and gratitude. They offer a way to speak about what matters — without words. These works document historical events and help shape a culture of honoring those who defend the country. They serve as a reminder of how we and our nation are changing — of the cost of freedom and those to whom we owe it.
The sculptures are installed at the northernmost point of Kyiv — in the square near Heroiv Dnipra metro station in Obolon. This site was chosen deliberately. In February and March 2022, Russian forces advanced on the capital from the north, and the Obolon district became part of Kyiv’s defensive stronghold.
The art piece is crafted from cast aluminum, with mirrored polished elements made of stainless steel. These materials were selected not only for their aesthetic harmony with the location, but also for their durability — resistant to precipitation and temperature extremes. The two sculptures vary in size: the smaller figure stands 2.5 meters tall and 1.8 meters wide, while the larger one reaches 3.2 meters in height and 1.2 meters in width.
This remarkable landmark in Kyiv can be visited free of charge. It can become part of educational tours and routes that tell the story of the Russian-Ukrainian war and the heroism of ordinary people.