Bored Panda reached out to Yulia to learn more about her work and her experiences living and creating during the war. Our first question was about how this talented illustrator from Ukraine decided to pursue a career as an artist. Vus kindly shared with us:
“My artistic journey began in childhood — I drew a lot and at different times. I dreamed of being a fashion designer, an archaeologist, later even a marketer. But when it came time to choose a career after school, I returned to art. Surprisingly, my family, none of whom had creative professions, fully supported my decision.
I graduated from the Ukrainian Academy of Printing with a specialization in book and printmaking graphics and have followed this path ever since. I started with children’s books and eventually explored other fields. Now, I focus on comics, book illustration, editorial illustration, and advertising.”
When asked what inspired her to choose comics as a medium to portray life during the war in Ukraine, the illustrator responded:
“Illustrations can capture what’s happening, but comics take it a step further—they reveal emotions, context, and the reasons behind events. I wanted to tell more.
Not everyone can emotionally process the graphic images and videos of war, and comics offer a way to communicate these realities in a form that’s easier for people to engage with. Additionally, during that time, social media was heavily censoring photos and videos—many posts and stories were flagged as sensitive content or removed entirely.”
Yulia told us that she doesn’t actively try to balance portraying the harsh realities of war with the everyday moments of life, as: “It mirrors my current reality.” She added: “There’s even a phrase that perfectly captures this state: ‘war-life balance,’” and elaborated further: “We’re now in the third year of the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war, yet people still have to work, buy groceries, visit the doctor, walk their dogs, and deal with everyday routines. The difference is the unpredictability; at any moment, day or night, there could start an air raid alert. It might last 20 minutes or six hours, and it could pass uneventfully, or bring the terrifying sounds of drones, missiles, and explosions.
This happens in the middle of the night, during work calls, or even dental appointments. On top of that, we face power outages (Russia continues to destroy civilian infrastructure across the country)—up to six hours daily in relatively safe areas like mine, and much worse near the frontlines. This chaotic balance inevitably reflects in my life, art, and even in my Instagram feed.”
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When asked about the role art plays in helping her process the emotional and psychological impact of living through war, Vus explained: “In the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, none of us knew what to do, what tomorrow would bring, or how to stop obsessively scrolling through the news. For the first six months, drawing became a form of self-reflection. I illustrated my life during that period—my thoughts, fears, and emotions—and it brought me some relief.
My comics resonated with many people and gained attention, enabling me to share the realities of the Russian invasion with a broader audience. I also began selling posters and donating the proceeds to support the military, as well as civilians and animals affected by the war. I realized that because of art I wasn’t just helping myself, but also had the opportunity to help others.”
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Finally, the artist shared the message she hopes readers take away from her comics: “I became interested in comics when I saw that comics are a great medium for talking about absolutely any topic. I’ve created comics about cats and funny moments from daily life, but I’ve also tackled subjects like feminism, history, literature, and war. I always strive to be honest in my works, and I hope readers feel that sincerity. That, for me, is the core message.”
