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Saturday 4th October 2025
Location: Kyiv, Underground Standup Club, Zolotovoritska 15
Live broadcast to an international audience!
VPDFO 2025
Back for a fourth consecutive year, VPDFO 2025! lifts the middle finger to Vladimir Putin. We get together the bold and the brave to talk about the war, raise awareness and inspire people with the extraordinary sacrifices of ordinary Ukrainian people.
Raising money once again for a basket of fantastic charities, VPDFO 2025! will bring unique content and interactive sessions to English speaking audiences the world over.
Watch the launch video!TICKETS
Standard online: £5 (280 UAH) - 1 September - 3 October
In person on door: £20 (1,000 UAH)
Military personnel - free of charge
Charitable donation: £ bespoke - Anytime
DONATIONS
Donate HereSPEAKERS
AGENDA
12.45: Start with live introduction by John Sweeney 🧔🏼♂️
12.50: Short film setting out VPDFO goals with Ukrainian soldier and triple amputee Anton whose black plastic finger is the festival logo 🖕🏿
13:00 Useless allies; pitiless enemies: Why is the West betraying Ukraine?
With: Paul Conroy, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Arthur Snell, Sasha Aleksandrenko chaired by JS
13.50 - Ten minute break - filled with short films on our charities
14:00 - How drones are reshaping the modern battlefield
With: Chris Occhicone, Paul Conroy James Rushton, Dmytro Kovalchuk, journalist, chaired by Arthur Snell
14.50 - Ten minute break - filled with short films on our charities
15:00 - Suffering: 20,000 children kidnapped, soldiers maimed, prisoners tortured
With: Mariia Chepa, Liza Kozlenko, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Paul Niland, Caolan Robertson, Shaun Pinner chaired by Sasha Aleksandrenko
15.50 - Break
16:00 - Farmers of Kherson (Caolan Robinson film)
16.25 - Break
17:00 - After the war is over: what peace will look like
With Arthur Snell, James Rushton, Mariia Chepa, Paul Niland, Shaun Pinner, chaired by Ian Bearder
17:00 - Break
18:00 - What to do with Russia?
With Oleksandra Matviichuk, Paul Conroy, Caolan Robertson, Yaroslav Lodygin, Max Leonov, Sasha Aleksandrenko, chaired by JS
18:30 - Break
18.45pm - Comedian
19.15pm - Band
21:15pm - Wrap-up VPDFO!
22:30pm - Close hour
CHARITIES
We are proud to support organizations making a real difference in Ukraine — from frontline medical volunteers and mental health hotlines to rehabilitation centers, humanitarian aid projects, and housing initiatives. Each charity plays a vital role in saving lives, restoring hope, and helping communities rebuild for the future.
SPONSORS
We’re grateful to our sponsors whose support helps us grow, innovate, and bring our vision to life.
SPONSORS
Please contact us if you would like to sponsor this event, and help a basket of fantastic Ukrainian charities. Sponsors will be credited on the website and in person during the event.
Contact Us
EXCLUSIVELY FOR YOU: UKRAINE CONNECT
❤️ 🇺🇦 I have created “Ukraine Connect” exclusively for you, offering personalised assistance for managing life in Ukraine
🌎 Are you traveling to Ukraine for business, tourism, or leisure?
Or perhaps you wish to experience how Ukrainian people live during wartime?
🏠 Maybe you already reside in Ukraine and require personal assistance with your daily chores?
🤕 Whatever your needs may be, we will gladly take care of them to make your life easier, allowing you to free up time for your family, friends, and hobbies, ultimately bringing more happiness into your life
👩🏻💻 Who am I? I possess 13 years of international experience, assisting foreign guests in my country with their daily tasks, interpreting for them, and providing guided tours. I obtained my Master’s degree in the EU, where I also worked
📍 When the full-scale invasion began, I remained in Kyiv, my hometown. I joined the territorial defence forces, providing aid to foreign journalists, paramedics, photographers and militaries, helping them find their place in this extensive war
⛑ Subsequently, I transitioned into the role of a war journalist, conducting numerous interviews with military personnel and civilians in recently liberated towns
💰 I organised a significant charity festival, through which we managed to raise €10,000 for the Army and various charitable organisations
🙏 After a year of volunteering, my dedication to serving my country remains unwavering. I am committed to working diligently and contributing even more to bring us closer to Victory. A portion of my income will continuously be donated to the Army and charitable causes
🤝 Our clients are at the centre of our attention. We understand your needs comprehensively, ranging from meeting you at the airport, arranging tickets, hotels, and restaurant reservations, organising tours for you, to finding a suitable kindergarten for your. Anything we don’t already know, we will attentively listen to you and fulfil your requirements
☎ Feel free to reach out to us via text or call +380500564206 for a complimentary consultation, 24/7
💛💙 Sending love from an invincible Ukraine.