SPECIAL MILITARY
OPERATION
WRITTEN AND COMPILED BY
★ ★ ★
the 21st Century War on Democracy
through the eyes of Ukrainians, Americans and Russians
★ ★ ★
On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. It was as if the Cold War had returned and it left many people speechless. The author of this play is one of them.
This documentary-play gives voice to real-life citizens of Ukraine, Russia and America as they discuss and examine Russia’s “Special Military Operation.” Refugees, aid workers, bartenders, podcasters, historians, artists, students and more all share their perspective in this kaleidoscopic search to understand the war and its larger implications about the “war on democracy” felt around the globe.
HELP US CONTINUE DEVELOPMENT
SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION is a new documentary play about the war in Ukraine, still underway…
THANK YOU
Thank you to the Ukrainians, Russians and Americans who have shared their stories and perspectives, as well as the writers, journalists and historians who have made contributions to this piece. The play would not exist without you.
OUR SOURCES
What Are The Sources?
The sources for this play include interviews with citizens of Ukraine, Russia and America, and the transcription and dramatization of history, as found in online videos and official documents. At their request, some names are listed without a surname or as fully anonymous.
Interviews & Conversations
Andriy Bondarenko (Ukrainian)
Daniil Orain (Russian)
John Freedman (American)
Lauren Spohn (American)
Liia Opanasiuk (Ukrainian)
Maksim (Ukrainian)
Russian Student (Russian)
Russian Woman (Russian)
Tanya Kane-Parry (American)
Vladimir Tuchinsky (Ukrainian American)
Zhanna Honcharova (Ukrainian)
24 Americans in small groups
Excerpts & Transcripts
The Speak Freely Podcast on Ukrainian Freedom News
The essay Midnight In Lviv by Lauren Spohn
Documents available through the Freedom of Information Act and the National Security Archive
Speeches from the NATO Archives
Mikhail Gorbachev’s resignation speech (1991) and appearances on Larry King Live (1993), C-SPAN2 (1996) and The Agenda (2005)
Statements of government officials, public figures, journalists, activists and unidentified citizens on Fox, CNN, ABC, NBC, MSNBC, BBC, 60 Minutes, Ukrainian Freedom News, Vice News, YouTube Channel 1420
Articles and reports from AP News, Axios, The Guardian, Mirror, Der Spiegel, The New York Times, National Public Radio, The Kremlin
Websites including Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and many social media platforms