Comedian Lera Mandziuk and Band Surface Tension Visit 128th Brigade in 'Frontline Studio' Project

Artists Join the 'Frontline Studio' Initiative

According to Главком: Stand-up comedian Lera Mandziuk and members of the hardcore band Surface Tension have participated in a new episode of the 'Frontline Studio' project. They visited various units of the 128th Brigade, engaging with soldiers, providing first-aid training, and conducting drone assembly workshops. The band also recorded a song titled 'Lem My' for the brigade, a track that embodies unity and solidarity. This project is part of a broader cultural effort to connect Ukrainian artists directly with troops on the front lines.

Surface Tension features guitarist Maksym Zasonov, known by the pseudonym Ariets, and vocalist Volodymyr, call sign GURU. The band gained significant attention following the release of their song 'My Vas Usikh Ub'em' at the start of the full-scale invasion, which intensified their volunteer activities. Both musicians later enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, serving in the 38th Marine Brigade, the Unmanned Systems Forces, and a Special Operations Forces unit.

Motto and the Significance of Support

The 128th Separate Mountain Assault Zakarpattia Brigade, which is holding the defense on the Zaporizhzhia front, operates under the motto 'Lem My'. This phrase, from the Lemko dialect, translates to 'Only Us'. Lera Mandziuk emphasized the critical role of the individuals serving, stating:

“The people you will see in this episode are the ones holding up all of Ukraine. What matters most is not the equipment or even the professionalism, but the spirit of the people who are here.” - Lera Mandziuk

The project also included singer, poet, and blogger Lely45 (real name Liudmyla Bilousova), who recorded the song 'U Smerti Plany' for the marines of the 36th Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilynsky. The first season of 'Frontline Studio' took place on November 11, featuring musician Sasha Chemerov and rapper Honia, who visited the 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Kostiantyn Ostrozkyi. During that episode, the artists spent time with soldiers, operated drones, and listened to the defenders' stories to create a song.

A line from the Surface Tension song, 'We crossed the blue mountains to enter the fight,' symbolizes the courage and determination with which the military defends the country.

Initiatives like 'Frontline Studio' provide crucial moral support for troops and strengthen the bond between the cultural sphere and the military. The active involvement of musicians and artists in such projects underscores the importance of patriotism and solidarity in wartime. This engagement can significantly boost the morale and readiness of defenders on the front lines.