Whippany Screening Highlights Ukraine's Stolen Children

Documentary 'Children in the Fire' sparks advocacy efforts to return Ukrainian kids taken during war

Mar. 11, 2026 at 12:35am

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The Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey hosted a screening of the documentary 'Children in the Fire: A Call to Action,' which examines the experiences of Ukrainian children whose lives have been disrupted by Russia's invasion. The event, presented by the Joint Ukrainian Community Advocacy Committee, brought together members of the Ukrainian American community to raise awareness and advocate for the return of children taken from Ukraine during the war.

Why it matters

The film aims to ensure children's voices are not lost amid the statistics and headlines of the ongoing conflict, highlighting the human toll of the war on Ukraine's youngest generation. The screening and subsequent panel discussion have spurred the local Ukrainian American community to participate in upcoming advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., to push for continued support and legislative action to address the issue of Ukrainian children being taken during the war.

The details

Directed by Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky, the documentary 'Children in the Fire: A Call to Action' reveals the war trauma experienced by Ukrainian children. The March 8 event in Whippany, New Jersey, was followed by a panel discussion focused on the need to turn awareness into action, with panelists including Khrystyna Hayovyshyn, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, U.S. Congressman Tom Kean Jr., and New Jersey State Senator Anthony M. Bucco.

  • The screening took place on March 8, 2026.
  • The Ukraine Action Summit in Washington, D.C., is scheduled for April 2026.
  • Ukrainian Days in Washington, D.C., are scheduled for June 2026.

The players

Evgeny Afineevsky

The Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker who directed the documentary 'Children in the Fire: A Call to Action'.

Nadia Nynka

The president of the New Jersey Regional Council of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America and chair of the Joint Ukrainian Community Advocacy Committee, which organized the event.

Khrystyna Hayovyshyn

The Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations and a panelist at the event.

Tom Kean Jr.

The U.S. Congressman and panelist at the event.

Anthony M. Bucco

The New Jersey State Senator and panelist at the event.

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What they’re saying

“The children became headlines in the news, but their stories were still behind those headlines.”

— Evgeny Afineevsky, Director

“Every time we have an event here at the cultural center, our thoughts are with those who continue to suffer because of the war.”

— Nadia Nynka, President, New Jersey Regional Council of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America

“It is not meant to frighten the world. It is meant to make us stronger and help us understand the suffering that has taken place.”

— Nadia Nynka, President, New Jersey Regional Council of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America

What’s next

Members of the local Ukrainian American community plan to participate in upcoming advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., including the Ukraine Action Summit in April 2026 and Ukrainian Days in June 2026, where they plan to meet with lawmakers to push for continued support and legislative action.

The takeaway

The screening of 'Children in the Fire' has spurred the local Ukrainian American community to turn empathy into activism, with plans to advocate in Washington, D.C., for the return of Ukrainian children taken during the war and continued support for Ukraine.