So what jokes make Ukrainians laugh?
This kind of humor is dark, says comedian Anna Kachegura, but making fun of the danger makes it easier to deal with.
“It looks even bleaker from abroad, and it’s understandable why. Anyone who has been to Ukraine knows that there are no safe places here,” she says.
“You never know if this raid will be the last. You don’t know if the Shahed drone will target your home or your family’s home.
“It is natural that all our topics are related to war. Because this is our life now. Stand-up is an honest genre where comedians talk about their own experiences or thoughts,” says Ms Kachehura.
Here is an example – a joke from Anton Tymoshenko’s speech at the Palace of Ukraine:
“I have never worried about a nuclear attack because I know it would mean death for the rich people of Kiev. I live on the outskirts, but nuclear weapons will hit the center. Before the precipitation reaches me, I will have to make two subway transfers. .
“More realistically, I will be killed by Iranian Shahed drones. The saddest part is – have you heard the noise they make? They sound very demotivating, like the cheapest kind of death.”
“People can laugh at the news,” Anton tells me.
“If we are not allowed to use (Western) missiles against targets in Russia – yes, it is ridiculous, because it is absurd. I rely on this absurd fact, and it becomes funny.
“Of course, Ukrainians find it funny.”
Western allies were initially reluctant to allow Ukraine to use its missiles against Russian targets, fearing escalation. But the permission was granted after months of requests from Kiev: the first shorter-range weapon May 2024followed by long-range missiles in November.
