Vice Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk attended the opening of the screening. She thanked MEPs for helping to organize the event. 

“The footage we are about to see is documented evidence of the atrocities committed by the russian occupiers,” the Vice Prime Minister stated before the screening.

Iryna Vereshchuk also expressed her support for the director Mstyslav Chernov and the entire film crew, who risked their lives to film the terrible crimes of the russians in Ukrainian Mariupol.

“The painting shows the beginning of a full-scale russian invasion in 2022. But the war continues. People are still dying from russian missile attacks,” the Vice Prime Minister emphasized.

The official extended his gratitude to the European Union and all of Ukraine’s partners for their invaluable military, financial, and humanitarian support, as well as to the countries that have provided shelter to Ukrainian citizens.

“We must work together to defeat Russia and bring them to justice. If they destroy peace, they will face consequences,” the Vice Prime Minister said.

On March 11, 2024, the Ukrainian film 20 Days in Mariupol won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature.