United to win: Ukrainian artists and Afghan craftswomen collaborate to create Ukraine War Rugs collection, with profits aiding armed forces

Ukrainian artists and Afghan craftswomen collaborated to create a Ukraine War Rugs collection.

Ukraine War Rugs project reports that on Instagram.

What is the problem?

Military journalists Evheniia and Philip Malzahn created the Ukraine War Rugs project. After spending nearly a year in Afghanistan reporting on the war, Philip was captivated by the Afghan war rugs.

The tradition of crafting military-themed carpets began in Afghanistan in 1979 during the Soviet occupation. Skilled artisans incorporated depictions of tanks and other military machinery into their designs.

What is the solution?

After the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, the correspondents decided to create carpets to immortalize the Ukrainian war.

How does it work?

Afghan craftswomen were weaving carpets, as it became their only means of earning money following the Tabilis' rise to power.

Three designs by Oleh Semak and Oleksii Voitykh were showcased during the first drop.

"Carpet named "Moscow Cruiser" is an ode to Ukrainian fighters, missiles, and drones, which multiplied the pride of the Russian fleet to zero," the artists said.

20% of the sale of this carpet goes to the needs of the Odesa assault unit, which is currently defending Donbas.

"The "Ukrainian Dream" carpet embodies the dream of every adequate person," the initiators write.

The design of the "Sun of Donbas" carpet is described as follows:

"Donbas is not only a zone of hostilities, death, and human tragedy. It is a region of people, coal, sweat, steel, and salt."

All rugs are handmade in several sizes from wool.

Their prices range from $500 to $1,000. Certain pieces can be found in the Mojave Group store, while others are accessible online through the following link.

For reference:

A Ukrainian designer, Ksenia Schneider, recently launched a clothing line titled "Lost Mosaics." The collection features dresses, tops, and skirts inspired by the stunning mosaics by Stepan and Roman Kyrychenko, as well as the works of Liudmyla Yastreb and other artists from Myrhorod and Siversko-Donetsk.

Moreover, Ternopil artist Rustam Davletov paints old carpets to raise funds for the Ukrainian military's needs.