Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: the EESC organises the screening of the Oscar-winning documentary film '20 Days in Mariupol'

It has been more than two years since Russia unleashed its unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. From the onset, the members of the EESC have strongly condemned Russia's actions, expressed their solidarity with the brave Ukrainian people and supported Ukraine's European integration path, calling for firm actions at both EU and national level in a spirit of unity in these dramatic times.

A major port on the Sea of Azov and a footbridge between Russia and occupied Crimea, the city of Mariupol was one of Putin's prime targets. The city of nearly 500,000 inhabitants found itself surrounded and besieged in the first days of the full-scale invasion. The massive, indiscriminate bombardments that followed – including that of a theatre that served as a shelter for children, and of a maternity hospital, which shocked the entire world – killed at least 25,000 civilians, forced another 300,000 into exile and left the city in ruins.

'20 Days in Mariupol' tells this story. Its director, Mstyslav Chernov, was part of a team of journalists who lived in the city through these events and shared, day after day, their pictures of the war crimes unfolding in the city, at the peril of their own lives. A number of prestigious prizes were bestowed on it, including the Academy Award and the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary Feature Film.

On Andris Gobiņš' initiative, the EESC hosted, on Wednesday 24 April, a screening of '20 Days in Mariupol' at its premises. A photo exhibition was held on the side-lines of the projection, in cooperation with the UkraBel association, displaying pictures of the city's highlights, before and after the devastating attacks.

After introductory remarks by Vice-President for Communication Aurel Laurenţiu Plosceanu, President Oliver Röpke, the Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the EU, Ambassador Vtsevolod Chentsov, and one of the protagonists of the film, Evhen Tuzov, took the floor. The projection of the film was a moment of emotion, as it confronted the audience with the crude, unbearable images Russia's brutal crimes. Yet, in the words of Evhen Tuzov, '20 Days in Mariupol' is a gruesome, but necessary film.

The event was a great success – registration for room VMA 23 was full and more than 60 members and colleagues attended the event. This paves the way for further screenings of the film across Belgium and Europe.