Ukrainian comedians cope with the war through humor

So what jokes make Ukrainians laugh?

This kind of humor is grim, says comedian Hanna Kochehura, but making fun of danger makes it easier to cope with.

“It looks even darker from abroad, and it’s clear why. Anyone who is in Ukraine knows that there is no safe place here,” he said.

“You never know if this airstrike will be your last. You never know if the Shahed drone is going to target your home or your family’s home.

“Naturally, all our themes are related to the war. Because that’s our life now. Stand-up comedy is a bright genre where comedians talk about their own experiences or thoughts,” said Ms. Kochehura.

Here’s an example – a joke from Anton Tymoshenko’s performance at the Palace of Ukraine:

“I never worry about a nuclear attack because I know it means death for the rich citizens of Kyiv. I live on the outskirts – but nuclear will hit the center. .

“More realistically, I will be killed by Iranian Shahed drones. The sad thing – do you hear the noise they make? They sound very demotivating, like the cheapest kind of death.”

“People can laugh at the news,” Anton told me.

“If we are not allowed to use (Western) missiles against targets in Russia – yes, it is funny because it is absurd. I built on this absurd fact, and it became funny.

“Of course, Ukrainians find it funny”.

Western allies were initially reluctant to allow Ukraine to use their missiles against targets in Russia for fear of escalation. But permission was granted after months of pleading by Kyiv: first short-range weapons in May 2024, then long-range missiles in November.