U2, Ed Sheeran, and Antytila collaborate on music video with Ukrainian soldiers and actual …

U2, Ed Sheeran, and Antytila collaborated on a music video for the track “Yours Eternally” from their EP Days of Ash, marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24. Produced by the 13th Khartiia Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, the documentary-style video was directed by Illia Mykhailus, a Ukrainian filmmaker and serviceman.

The video features real footage of the Khartiia Brigade’s combat operations on the Lyptsi and Kupiansk fronts in Kharkiv Oblast. In addition to actual combat footage, training sessions, and moments of rest between missions are captured on camera. The main stars of the video are Ukrainian defenders, including unit commander Vsevolod Kozhemiaka and Dmytro Dienkov, a former editor-in-chief of Ekonomichna Pravda who now serves with Khartiia. Emotional and symbolic scenes with a priest are also included to enhance the video’s theme.

The musicians revealed that the chorus of the song includes the Ukrainian word “volia” (“freedom”). Bono and his colleagues reached out to Khartiia through a mutual friend, Petro Verzylov, to bring the project to life. The music video also features female service members and portrays the real combat work of the Khartiia Brigade that has been defending Kharkiv Oblast since the start of the full-scale war.

Bono and U2 have been vocal supporters of Ukraine since the onset of the full-scale invasion, with Bono even traveling to Kyiv to perform in the metro. Imagine Dragons also joined in, highlighting the war in Ukraine in their music videos, with an emotional portrayal of a Ukrainian boy showing the devastation caused by the Russian occupation.

The video’s release serves as an important reminder of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian forces in defending their country. Through the powerful medium of music and visuals, the collaboration between U2, Ed Sheeran, and Antytila sheds light on the harsh realities of war while honoring the heroism of those who fight to protect their homeland. It stands as a tribute to Ukraine and its people, showcasing the unbreakable spirit of the nation in the face of adversity.