“Second Wind” is a Ukrainian documentary film by director Maria Kondakova and a charitable media project dedicated to veterans with amputations. The film tells the stories of five service members who, despite losing limbs or suffering severe wounds, never lost their will to live — and set out to conquer the highest peak in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. The cast includes Roman “Dobryak” Kolesnyk, Vladyslav “Shatya” Shatylo, Mykhailo “Grizzly” Matviiv, Oleksandr “Ragnar” Mikhov, and Olha “Vysota” Yehorova, who was wounded twice on the frontline. Four of the participants use prosthetics, and their ascent becomes a challenge not only to the mountain but also to the stereotypes and prejudices surrounding veterans’ lives after amputation.

The project aims to highlight the strength, resilience, and leadership of Ukrainian soldiers, reshape public perception of veterans with amputations, and inspire those who are only beginning to adapt to life with a prosthesis. “Second Wind” draws attention to the importance of high-quality rehabilitation, accessible environments, and modern prosthetics — proving that even after the hardest trials, a full and meaningful life is possible.

The film was created in collaboration with Gennadii Gazin, founder of the “If Not Now, Then When” foundation, which supports service members in their physical and psychological recovery. He co-produced the film alongside Oleksii Makukhin. The cinematographer was Serhii Mykhalchuk, and the score was composed by Yevhen Filatov (Maneken) and Oleksandr Chornyi. TV host Oleksandr Pedan, an ambassador of the foundation and a co-producer of the film, also took part in the climb. Filming took place in Ukraine and Tanzania.

The documentary premiered on October 7 at ZHOVTEN cinema and brought together a wide audience — from veterans and volunteers to representatives of cultural and media communities. Among the guests were Vitali Klitschko, Iryna Nykorak, Sviatoslav Vakarchuk, Yevhen Filatov, Oleksandr Bohutskyi, Serhii Prytula, Oleksandr Pedan, Valerii Kharchyshyn, Oleksandr Teren, Iryna Tatarenko, and others. Veterans with amputations — members of the Second Wind UA and TYTANOVY clubs — were also present. The theatrical release began on October 9, 2025, and all proceeds are donated to the “Second Wind” foundation, which supports Ukrainian soldiers in their rehabilitation journey.