Contract with Ukraine's Armed Forces
In 2024, actor Oleksandr Zarubey finally signed a contract to serve with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, following a year and a half of failed attempts to enlist due to an error in the state registry. This bureaucratic struggle highlights the challenges some Ukrainians face in joining the military. Prior to this, he had joined Kyiv's territorial defense forces at the start of the full-scale invasion and engaged in volunteer work with his wife, actress Yevheniia Miakienko.
For over a year, Zarubey tried to join the military, but his name was missing from the state register, which prevented his mobilization. He spent eighteen months trying to resolve the documentation issue. He stated:
'From the first days of the invasion, I started trying to get into the army. But all my attempts led to nothing.' Oleksandr Zarubey
The actor also shared that even the government's 'Diia' service confirmed his surname was absent from the system.
Volunteer Work and Civic Engagement
Zarubey, originally from Alchevsk, moved to Kyiv 20 years ago. While in the capital, he gained recognition for roles in films such as:
- 'Cyborgs'
- 'I Am Hope'
- 'Life for Three'
- 'Fortress'
- 'Tykha Nava'
- 'Alive'
After considerable effort, he gathered the necessary documents to sign the contract, which he described as a significant step:
'And I felt relieved: I had a sense that I was no longer just an observer.' Oleksandr Zarubey
The actor also expressed his internal conviction: 'But my inner feeling was clear: I must be in the army. When the paperwork was finally sorted, I signed the contract.' Notably, his parents remain in the temporarily occupied Luhansk region, a factor that also influenced his decision to serve.
Oleksandr Zarubey's signing of the contract may serve as an example for many Ukrainians who wish to join the country's defense but encounter difficulties due to bureaucratic processes. His story also underscores the importance of volunteerism and active civic engagement, which have become integral parts of Ukrainian society during the war. Both the actor and his wife continue to be active participants in public life, demonstrating that everyone can contribute to the common cause, regardless of profession.