Yesterday, at the French Cultural Institute, the Ambassador of Ukraine, HE Ihor Prokopchuk, presented a heartbreaking film on the first year of war in his country, titled “The Hardest Hour.”

The film is a “raw” collection of short mobile phone videos shot by hundreds of Ukrainian citizens in several cities. There is no soundtrack, no acting, no commentary—just the harsh reality of war and the desperation of civilians of all ages and backgrounds. It also highlights the courage of ordinary people who peacefully but firmly confronted soldiers occupying their cities and homes.

In addition to the French Ambassador, who hosted the event, a few other ambassadors attended and expressed their solidarity with Ambassador Prokopchuk and the suffering people of Ukraine.

Unfortunately, this film represents only a fraction of the material collected during the first year of the war. Our prayers are with those who lost their loved ones and those displaced by the invasion.