Kstudio’s Statement on War in Ukraine

For many years, the city of Odesa, my hometown, has woken up every morning to the murmur of sea waves.
This large port city in the south of Ukraine has many names — it’s been called the Pearl of the Black Sea for its unique beauty, it is known as “mother”, or Odesa-Mama, for its warm hospitality, and its witty light-hearted cheerfulness has earned it the title of the Humor Capital.
Every summer, my homey and congenial Odesa welcomes many guests from all over the world — and many of them leave for home with the memories of its beauty, amiability and diversity. Friendship, peace, humor, and creativity are valued here the most.

But this year, this spring, everything has changed.

Duke de Richelieu Monument

Photo by Maksym Pozniak-Haraburda on Unsplash

Odessa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre

Photo by Mary Winchester on Unsplash

Russia Invades Ukraine

On the morning of February 24, my wife and I were awakened by powerful explosions.
The sound was an unfamiliar one, but it left us in no doubt — the war had begun.
Our 15-year-old daughter reacted to the distressing news with surprising calmness — after all, we had already discussed and planned our actions in case the war broke out.
I wish you never have to discuss such things with your family.

Duke de Richelieu Monument is protected from shelling

Photo from odessa-life.od.ua

Opera and Ballet Theatre during the war in 2022

Photo from odessa-life.od.ua

Today, the whole world knows what happened that morning — russia openly invaded Ukraine. The truth is, the aggressor country made its first steps in this direction back in 2014 when it annexed Crimea and seized parts of Donbas region.
What happened on February 24, 2022, was that russia drastically escalated its attack on our independent state by beginning an unprovoked full-scale invasion.

Russia has been devastating our land for three weeks now, killing people indiscriminately and destroying infrastructure all over Ukraine.
These have been horrendous days for all of us — the time of calamity and tough choices. But we do not give up. Ukraine is resisting the enemy and will continue to do so.

Stand With Ukraine

Today, the world finally sees russia’s lies for what they are and condemns russia’s war against Ukraine.
The support for our country is unprecedented, and we are extremely grateful to each state, each company and each individual person who reached out to aid us.
Your help supports us and gives us strength.
And today, our strength is what the shield defending entire Europe from the russian Nazis is made of.

From now on, Kstudio stops selling its plug-ins to russia and belarus.
We call on the whole world community to stop cooperating with the russians, because the fact is that all the death and overwhelming devastation that Ukrainians suffer today is not just the handiwork of putin or russian government, but a product of years and years of russian citizens’ complicity and acquiescence.
They elected this government more than 20 years ago and kept supporting all the atrocities and lies of their fascist leaders ever since.

To find out more about the war and Ukraine’s fight for freedom and independence, visit the official website with the information verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine:

If you want to help Ukraine survive and win, below are some links to organizations focused on supporting and helping our country in these difficult times:

UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) — Protecting people forced to flee their homes and providing critical relief items and shelter.  

UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) — Ensuring Ukraine’s children have access to safe water, nutrition, health care, education, and protection. 

International Medical Corps — Expanding access to medical, mental health and protection services for Ukrainian civilians, and working in the surrounding regions to help refugees. 

Nova Ukraine — Providing humanitarian aid to vulnerable groups and individuals in Ukraine, while raising awareness about Ukraine throughout the world.

Humanity Inclusion — have established an emergency fund to support disabled and vulnerable people in Ukraine.

With Ukraine is a special fund to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine’s civilian population established by the Embassy of Ukraine in the UK                                                                                                      

British-Ukrainian Aid — supports people suffering from the war and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine by aligning UK and Ukrainian efforts.

PLAST — Donate to the Ukrainian scouts association to provide them with humanitarian, medical, and rehabilitation support during Russia’s invasion.
UK account details:
Account Name: PLAST Ukrainian Youth Organisation Scouts
Account Number: 01561308
Sort Code: 40-35-26

United with Ukraine — Donate medical supplies (physical or cash donation available).

National Bank of Ukraine — Transfer direct funding to the Ukrainian armed forces. The account accepts a number of currencies including GBP, EUR, USD, and CHF