- December 23, 2025
- 1:04 am
- Ukraine
In October 2025, the documentary film “Second Wind” by director Maria Kondakova was released in Ukraine — a story about people who have gone through war, loss, and rehabilitation but have not lost the ability to dream. The film tells the story of five Ukrainian defenders who climbed to the summit of Kilimanjaro — despite amputations, prosthetics, and chronic pain.
Film about overcoming and returning to life
The project was initiated by Gennady Gazin — a Jewish-Ukrainian-American businessman and philanthropist, founder of the fund “If Not Now Then When”. He served as the idea author, producer, and financier of the film.
“This project is a natural continuation of my interests. Love for the mountains has become an important part of life, and I am glad to combine mountaineering with charitable initiatives. The experience of challenging climbs and dangerous situations has made me appreciate every moment even more and support those who bravely defend their land,” noted Gennady Gazin.
According to Gennady Gazin, the idea for the film was born in Israel. It was there that he saw a soldier with a prosthetic who, despite the amputation, lived an active, full life. This moment became the starting point for the idea to show the strength, dignity, and ability of Ukrainian veterans to overcome. This is mentioned in a review by the publication “Ukrainian Truth. Culture”, which notes that it was in Israel that the idea for the film and the eponymous veteran movement arose.
Alexander Pedan, a well-known TV presenter and athlete, became the host and co-producer of the film.
“This project became personal for me. Mountaineering always teaches respect for life and gratitude for the opportunity to move forward. I am glad that I could combine this experience with a cause that has meaning,” says Pedan.
Cinematographer — Sergey Mikhalsky, a recognized master of Ukrainian cinema, whose works “Dovbush”, “The Guide”, and “Mamay” have been noted at international festivals. His visual solution gave the film depth and expressiveness — each frame conveys real effort, breath, step, light, and shadow on the faces of the heroes.
Filming took place in Ukraine and Tanzania. The crew worked at an altitude of over five thousand meters with sharp temperature fluctuations — from heat to night frosts. The film was shot without staged scenes: the camera captures the real steps of the participants, their fatigue, pain, jokes, and joy, at times becoming a participant in the climb.
“Ukrainian defenders and a defender climbed Kilimanjaro to show other servicemen who have experienced injuries or amputations that life does not lose its meaning after this. After an injury, it changes, but you can still live fully, engage in sports, and even conquer peaks,” says the project description.
Heroes of the film: what was found out from open sources
The film “Second Wind” features five Ukrainian defenders who, after injuries and amputations, climbed Kilimanjaro. Here’s what was established about them based on public sources:
Names and general information
Project participants (according to reviews and press materials) —
Roman “Dobryak” Kolesnik, Vladislav “Shatya” Shatilo, Mikhail “Grizzly” Matviev, Alexander “Ragnar” Mikhov, and Olga “Height” Yegorova.
The review in UP.Culture states that four out of five men have lower limb amputations and use prosthetics.
Roman “Dobryak” Kolesnik
- Veteran of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade (3 OShBr).
- Injured in May 2022, leg amputation.
- Completed a series of climbs in the Carpathians — Petros, Hoverla, Nesamovyte, Shpytsi.
- Covered more than 50 km with a 20 kg backpack on a prosthetic.
- Raised 1,000,000 UAH for the needs of the Armed Forces units.
(RBC-Ukraine, NV Life, Life.Pravda.com.ua).
Olga “Height” Yegorova
- Servicewoman who received a wound during combat operations.
- The only woman among the film’s participants.
- Some publications mention a possible connection with Surma Team (not officially confirmed).
(UNIAN, Ukr.net, Rubryka).
Vladislav “Shatya” Shatilo
- Veteran with a lower limb amputation.
- One of four men climbing on a prosthetic.
(UP.Culture, Interfax-Ukraine).
Mikhail “Grizzly” Matviev
- Combat veteran.
- Has a lower limb amputation.
(Interfax-Ukraine, Cinema.in.ua).
Alexander “Ragnar” Mikhov
- Special forces unit fighter.
- One of the participants who climbed Kilimanjaro with a prosthetic.
(Rubryka, UNIAN).
How the idea for the film was born
The plot of the film grew out of Gennady Gazin’s personal initiative.
“Then Gazin, an American of Ukrainian-Jewish descent, feeling the war of his two peoples against terror, came up with a veteran movement and a way to promote it — creating a film of the same name, and then a support fund ‘If Not Now Then When’,” notes the review in UP.Culture.
Gazin proposed the script basis: veterans with amputations storm the mountain, proving that physical limitations do not set limits on human capabilities.
To realize the idea, he invited Maria Kondakova, whose previous documentary film “My War” (2020) told about women on the front line and was noted by critics for its sincerity and accuracy of observation.
The team decided to focus on real stories, without actors, without staging, and without pathos.
The result is an honest and powerful film in which each hero speaks in their own voice, and the camera does not hide weakness or pain.
Perception
The film “Second Wind” received positive reviews from film critics and viewers.
Reviewers from UP.Culture call it a “story of overcoming, rehabilitation, and inner rebirth”, noting that “the strength visualized in the dynamics of light and sound is understandable to every viewer, regardless of language and citizenship.”
The film became not just a cinematic work but part of a humanitarian project that combines culture, volunteering, and psychological support for veterans.
Gennady Gazin: biography and international activities
Gennady Gazin was born in Zhitomir, in a Jewish family. As a child, he emigrated with his parents to the USA.
Education: Cornell University (engineering), Stanford (master’s), Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (MBA).
Professional path:
- Engineer at Bell Communications Research and General Dynamics;
- Partner at McKinsey & Company, head of the technology and telecommunications practice;
- CEO of EastOne Group (2007–2012);
- Chairman of the Supervisory Board of “Kyivstar” (since 2022).
In recent years, Gazin is primarily known as a philanthropist and public figure.
He heads the Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG) — an international fund supporting Jewish educational and cultural initiatives in Israel, the USA, and Europe.
Under his leadership, GPG funds programs:
- Yad Vashem (the national Holocaust memorial),
- Jewish Agency for Israel,
- Taglit–Birthright Israel,
- JDC (Joint Distribution Committee),
- Cultural and youth projects of the Jewish diaspora.
Gazin is a member of the planning committee of Taglit–Birthright Israel, regularly participates in events in the Knesset, at forums in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
He is known as a supporter of bringing Ukrainian and Israeli societies closer through education, culture, and humanitarian initiatives.
Fund “If Not Now Then When” and connection with Israel
The fund If Not Now Then When was created before the film’s release as a humanitarian and cultural platform to help Ukraine.
It implements programs in the fields of medicine, psychological rehabilitation, and veteran support.
Main areas of work:
- Providing hospitals and military units with first aid kits, equipment, and transport;
- Assistance in rehabilitating servicemen with amputations;
- Cooperation with Israeli organizations, adopting experience in working with veterans;
- Cultural initiatives aimed at strengthening humanistic values.
One of the fund’s projects was supporting the Ukrainian premiere of the film “Golda”, dedicated to Golda Meir, a native of Kyiv and Prime Minister of Israel.
The screening was held in conjunction with the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine and the Babi Yar Memorial Center, symbolizing the cultural unification of the two countries.
The source of inspiration for the fund was precisely Israel. Gazin emphasizes that the Israeli system of social integration of veterans is one of the best in the world:
society perceives wounded soldiers not as disabled but as people deserving respect and support.
The fund If Not Now Then When applies this approach in Ukraine, implementing projects that combine Israeli experience in medical and psychological rehabilitation with Ukrainian volunteer self-organization practices.
“Every person has the right to their second wind. The question is who will be there when they seek it,” said Gennady Gazin, explaining the project’s philosophy.
Conclusion
The film “Second Wind” became part of a larger process — a social and humanitarian movement inspired by Israel’s experience and implemented in Ukraine.
It combines personal history, professional cinema, and real aid programs supported by Gennady Gazin’s fund.
This is not just a film about veterans — it is proof that culture, charity, and international cooperation can restore meaning and self-belief to people.
