A tube from a shot fired by a reconnaissance group of the GUR special unit from the Fagot PTRK, turned into an art object by the famous Ukrainian artist Volodymyr Manzhos, is now on display at the ANACOSMA clinic.
This tube has a heroic story. In July 2023, in the Orikhiv-Robotyne direction of the Zaporizhzhia region, a reconnaissance group from a special unit of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR), consisting of four fighters, embarked on a combat mission to locate enemy equipment. By decision of the command, specialists from a mechanized brigade were brought in to provide fire support, and a Fagot anti-tank missile system (ATGM) was deployed. In a joint operation, two shots were fired and enemy equipment was destroyed.
After firing, the used tubes remain — one of these was handed over to the Modern Ukraine Foundation, and the well-known artist Volodymyr Manzhos, better known as Waone Interesni Kazki, transformed it into a work of art.
The proceeds from the charity auction were allocated by the Modern Ukraine Foundation to purchase FPV drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a vehicle for the HUR special unit of the Ministry of Defense.
What do we know about Volodymyr Manzhos?
Volodymyr was born in 1981 near Kyiv. His father was an art enthusiast, a collector of ethnic art and rare Orthodox icons. Volodymyr’s interest in art first sparked in early childhood, when he was about 4 or 5 years old.
Volodymyr Manzhos, better known as Waone, began his artistic career in 1999. A few years later, he started painting graffiti as part of the Ingenious Kids Crew in Kyiv.
In 2003, he moved on to the next level of public art — visual storytelling. Together with his team, he created large surrealist murals filled with fantastical narratives. They developed a unique style of contemporary muralism, characterized by an extraordinarily ephemeral form of monumental art.
Endangered. Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Volodymyr Manzhos was one of the first artists in Europe to begin painting murals. However, these days he works less on walls and more in painting and graphics. Creating murals is physically demanding work. Many studio-based artists say they can’t even imagine working outdoors on such a large scale — under the sun, in the rain, through heat and cold.
Rainbow Serpent. Perth, Australia
“The goal of true art is to transform the highest divine vibrations into a visual form that is accessible to every person.” — Volodymyr Manzhos
Volodymyr Manzhos creates images where the spiritual and the imaginary meet reality. Inspired by surrealist artists, Ukrainian folklore, and fairy tales, he visualizes imagination and the flight of thought through the style of contemporary muralism. Every one of his works carries life, energy, and soul — yet as a perfectionist, he emphasizes the importance of flawless technique. He pays special attention to detail, even in elements placed so high that no one can clearly see them when viewing the mural from the ground up.
The mural (painted in October 2022) in Kyiv is dedicated to Ukrainian heroes fighting against the Russian aggressor. It is the third and final mural in the “Time of Change” series. And it marks the end of the story.
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