Story
Set in Ukraine in 1918, Winter of The Braves follows a group of patriotic students preparing to defend Kyiv and taking part in the Battle of Kruty. Their decision draws them into a defining moment of the country’s history. Against this turbulent historical background, the film also traces the Savytskyi family: a general of Ukraine’s counterintelligence and his two sons, Andrii and Oleksa. Their family story adds an intimate dimension to the wider struggle, connecting national upheaval with the lives of people bound together by blood and responsibility.
The narrative combines battlefield action with a family-centered drama rooted in a pivotal chapter of Ukrainian history. The students’ story and the Savytskyi family’s story unfold against the same events, offering a portrait of young people facing circumstances far larger than themselves. Historical events provide the setting, while the characters’ relationships give the story its emotional focus.
Overview
Directed by Alexey Shaparev, this Ukrainian action, war, and historical film takes place during a period of political and military turmoil. Its subject is the defense of Kyiv and the people drawn into that struggle, from patriotic students to members of a family connected with Ukraine’s counterintelligence. The film balances a broad national perspective with the experiences of its central characters, allowing the Battle of Kruty to serve as both a historical event and the setting for a deeply personal story.
The atmosphere is serious and dramatic, shaped by the pressure of impending conflict. The story gives attention to family ties and to the resolve required when private loyalties meet a national crisis.
Cast and Characters
Roman Yasinovsky, Dmitry Stupka, Vladislav Nikitiuk, Bogdan Yusipchuk, and Natalia Vasko lead the cast. The central characters include the patriotic students who prepare to fight for Kyiv, as well as the Savytskyi family: the general of Ukraine’s counterintelligence and his sons, Andrii and Oleksa. Their intertwined stories place youthful conviction and family responsibility at the heart of the historical drama.
Alexey Shaparev directs the film, bringing together its wartime action, historical setting, and focus on the human relationships shaped by conflict.










































