Art community manufactures bulletproof vests in Kyiv

Communities of artists in Kyiv have transformed their art space into a small factory producing bulletproof vests, anti-tank barricades and pot-belly stoves for Ukrainian reservists.

The artists, from Kyiv-based NGO Kosmos Tabir, had renovated the underground space and initially planned to use it to host various art projects. But when conflict came, they decided to use it to help reservists defending the capital. One of the artists said they began by making small anti-tank barricades, before scaling up to full-size barricades. The artists produced around 150 anti-tank barricades. They then moved onto producing bulletproof vests, starting by preparing plates and later sewing vests.