“We are Roma, but we are Ukrainians — and we defend our land“
Marking the International Roma Day – 8th of April 8, Anti–Discrimination Centre Memorial Brussels presents a new episode of a podcast dedicated to the situation of Roma communities in Ukraine in the context of the full-scale war.
The issue focuses on the participation of Roma in the defense of Ukraine; the speakers tell about Roma families with one or more members who voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Despite this contribution, as the podcast participants note, Roma still face prejudice, in particular, distrust to the fact that representatives of Roma communities can fight for Ukraine. Thus, the experience of the Roma military combines participation in the defense of the country and the need to overcome stereotypes.
The issue also discusses broader aspects of the life of Roma communities during the war: survival in occupation, forced displacement, difficulties of evacuation, problems with access to documents and social assistance. A significant part of the Roma population has been forced to leave their homes, but some families remain at their places due to dangerous travel, lack of resources or the need to take care of elderly relatives. The role of mutual support within Roma communities, as well as difficulties related to returning from abroad or moving within the country, are also discussed.
The issue is attended by representatives of partner organizations working with Roma communities in Ukraine:
- Janush Panchenko — Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences
- Julia Gladka — Winds of Change Foundation
- Margarita Kalin — Winds of Change Foundation
- Vira Gruzova — ADC Memorial Brussels
Sound design: Ostap Kukhar
©︎ Illustration by Naum Sint Nicolaas
Listen on the platforms (in Ukrainian):
The podcast continues the series of materials by ADC Memorial, in particular: the report “Roma and the War“ (2014), the report “Voices from the Hell of War“ (2022), Roma From Ukraine: A Year of War and Flight (2023) as well as a meeting in Brussels (2025) with Roma volunteers and military personnel from Ukraine, dedicated to their experiences of service and cases of discrimination.
The publication is created in the framework of the project “Documenting and analysing international crimes committed by the Russia’s armed forces after 24.02.2022, helping victims of these crimes and informing on crimes” implemented by Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, Center for Civil Liberties and ADC Memorial Brussels, funded by the European Union.
