Ilia Anufrienko Publications

Many Russians are unaware of the true extent of what’s happening in Ukraine because of censorship by Russian media. Kyiv-based creative agency, Bickerstaff.734, has released a series of fake tourism ads aim at a Russian audience to try and show them what’s really happening in #Ukraine. Companies like Airbnb and Booking.com left the Russian market because of the invasion. The company hopes their fake adverts will reach Russians and show them a side of the war they’re not used to seeing.

“As WE all know, Ukraine has been attacked by Russia for one month already. All Ukrainians fight and stand strong from day to day. But except for heroic Ukrainian people, there are also brave Ukrainian doggos who need support today. Our friendly pups from the Gostomel shelter in the Kyiv region got stuck in the line of fire. The building was damaged, the power supply was lost. Over 700 animals are suffering.” “Today we seek help from all the people and musicians particularly. Gostomel pups are tough guys. They are children of streets, they’ve seen life and know how it smells, tastes and how much it costs. We’ve thought that the ones who can feel the real street children from Gostomel are street children all over the world. We mean all the dopest rappers. Here is our plan: we want to record our shelter dog’s sound (every woof, bork and sniff). And use them to create cool rap feats. All money from the promotion of the tracks will get the Gostomel shelter.”

From producing anti-Russian propaganda campaigns to designing branding for humanitarian organisations, Kyiv agency Bickerstaff is hoping creativity can “get inside of the enemy’s heart”

Kyiv-based agency Bickerstaff has pivoted from commercial advertising to an information campaign aimed at getting Russian military families the truth.

News reports from Ukraine are currently dominated by fears of a renewed Russian invasion. But everyday life isn't on hold. Ukrainian businesses still need to advertise, build their brands and engage consumers – meaning that the work of the country's ad agencies hasn't stopped.