“Dytyatochko”: DakhaBrakha’s Lullaby Music Video Sheds Light on the Forced Deportation of Ukrainian Children

The video serves as a powerful artistic response to the atrocities committed during Russia’s invasion, depicting the sorrow and memory of a nation under siege. It highlights the devastating reality faced by over 20,000 Ukrainian children who have been forcibly taken to Russia, many sent to "re-education" camps or adopted by Russian families.

DakhaBrakha's Dytyatochko features a lullaby that merges raw emotion, traditional folk vocals, and visual storytelling to create an immersive experience, focusing on the fragility of childhood, innocence, and the lives of those torn apart by war.

The project is set against the backdrop of the monumental Black Cloud installation, presented at Burning Man in August, which embodies the looming threats faced by Ukrainian children. Filmed before Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral, the video anchors contemporary trauma within a long arc of Ukrainian history, underscoring the war’s devastating toll

The song's director, Ganka Tretiak, explained her vision behind the project, saying her “goal was to interpret the emotional depth of the song. It’s dedicated to children kidnapped by Russia, so every image—such as the cradle, the dark cloud, and the musicians in motion—serves as a metaphor for this shared tragedy.”

Dytyatochko operates as a cultural statement and an act of resistance. Its visual language illuminates the ongoing trauma experienced by Ukrainian children and families while urging the international community toward accountability and action.

The Black Cloud art installation itself is an embodiment of that same message—showcasing the fragility of life and the constant shadow of war, while the project’s ongoing journey continues to symbolize hope and resilience, even in the face of destruction.

Marko Halanevych DakhaBrakha's frontman, shared the creative process behind the visual art, explaining, “I paint intuitively, somewhere between naïve art and personal memory. Often, I place myself and my friends in surreal, dreamlike settings—between nature and city, searching for hope.”

His work has become part of the visual language that supports the message of the project, which is about preserving memories and creating awareness of the ongoing struggles faced by Ukrainians.

The installation is part of DakhaBrakha’s ongoing commitment to raising global awareness about the impact of the war on Ukraine’s most vulnerable citizens—its children. With the support of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ukrainian Institute, and various private philanthropists and organizations, the project continues to evolve, engaging global audiences through the lens of art, music, and storytelling.

The project, which has already attracted significant international recognition, will continue to expand, offering an urgent call for action in response to the ongoing crisis.

According to the state portal Bring Kids Back UA, as of now, 19,546 complaints have been filed regarding children forcibly taken to Russia—some adopted, others held in 43 “re-education” camps across the Russian Federation. In addition, there are approximately 20,000 records of possible deportation and forced transfer of children by Russia. At least 664 Ukrainian children have been killed, and more than 2,200 injured. Moreover, a total of 1,819 children have been brought back from deportation, forced transfers, or temporarily occupied territories.

These are not just numbers, but real people, nd there is still hope for saving many of them.

Earlier, DakhaBrakha joined another international project, with their song Sonnet now featured in the new Apple TV series Pluribus (stylized as Plur1bus). The track, which was originally released in 2020 on their album Alambari, was specially edited into a shorter version for the series.

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