Light among the dark: The powerful videos emerging from Ukraine

Videos of hope, resistance and strength have been widely shared around the world over recent weeks, with everyday acts of heroism serving as a constant reminder of the very real lives at risk, says Lucy Anna Gray

Zelensky repeated calls for a no-fly zone over Ukraine (The Independent )

There are few words which can adequately describe the footage continuing to emerge from Ukraine. If there was any doubt about the severity of the atrocities taking place, President Zelensky's video (Close the Sky) more than confirmed it. During his address to Congress on Wednesday, the Ukrainian leader played gut-wrenching footage showing bombings, dead bodies and empty prams. A number of members of Congress described the video as “heartbreaking”.

Amid the destruction, glimmers of the resilience of humanity break through. Videos of hope, resistance and strength have been widely shared around the world over recent weeks, with everyday acts of heroism serving as a constant reminder of the very real lives at risk.

Below is a selection of uplifting videos shared by news outlets that are among the highest for Facebook interactions, according to Crowdtangle data, since the start of the Russian invasion. Analysing this data allows us to see what resonates best with global audiences during a time of international and personal crisis.

• Ukrainian mother thanks stranger for bringing her young children to safety
• World landmarks light up in blue and yellow
• A children’s choir from Ukraine sings for world peace
• Children embrace and ask for the war to stop
• Chef José Andrés Sets Up World Central Kitchen on Ukraine border
• Dazzling drone display in support of Ukraine
• Girl who sang ‘Let it Go’ in bunker makes it to Poland with her grandmother

Among the most engaging videos on the The Independent since the beginning of the invasion have been a brave Ukrainian offering to tow Russians home and another man appearing to move a landmine with his bare hands. TikTok has lit up with videos taken from inside bomb shelters by everyday Ukrainians, too, as a reminder to global citizens of what they continue to go through.

As difficult as they may be to watch, the world must see videos like the one Zelensky showed to Congress yesterday. And alongside them, we can share videos of hope and everyday acts of heroism; whatever it takes to make people pay attention.

Yours,

Lucy Anna Gray

Head of US audience