AssetID: 54831787
Headline: New Immersive Online Experience Shows Ukrainian Girl's Experiences Of The Horrors Of War
Caption: Microsoft and Ukraine's official fundraising platform, UNITED24, have unveiled an immersive documentary experience entitled Arina's Story. The innovative project blends cutting-edge technology, art, and documentary storytelling to shine a light on the dreams of Ukrainian children growing up amid the devastation of war. The initiative seeks not only to raise global awareness but also to redefine the future of philanthropic engagement. Utilising gamification and immersive media, it connects the global community with Ukraine's ongoing reconstruction efforts — placing the lived experiences of the country's youngest citizens at its heart. Rebuilding Ukraine is a task of enormous scale. According to the World Bank, reconstruction costs have soared past $486 billion, with thousands of buildings destroyed or severely damaged since Russia's full-scale invasion. UNITED24 has partnered with major international and Ukrainian tech firms — including Microsoft, EPAM, ISD Group, and Sensorama — to develop pioneering ways of involving the public in Ukraine's recovery. One of the most poignant narratives is that of Arina, an eight-year-old dancer from Irpin — a town that has suffered heavy destruction. Her story forms the emotional core of the experience. Forced to flee with her mother and younger brother, Arina later returned to a ravaged hometown. Her resilience, set against the backdrop of trauma and loss, represents the struggle of countless Ukrainian children. Arina's Story offers users a chance to experience Irpin through a child's eyes. The virtual journey centres on the war-damaged Irpin House of Culture, where Arina shares her hopes of dancing on a grand stage. As users step through a digitally reconstructed space, they transition from the stark realities of war into a dreamlike world where dance becomes a universal language of hope. The experience also offers glimpses of Ukrainian cultural heritage — from the haunting beauty of the Carol of the Bells to the vibrant traditions of Malanka, and artwork by contemporary artist Masha Reva, internationally recognised for her contributions to a recent Harry Styles music video. Microsoft played a key role in bringing the project to life, providing technical expertise and cloud infrastructure via Microsoft Azure. Built on Unreal Engine, the high-fidelity virtual world is accessible through any web browser — no specialised hardware or software required. This ensures widespread access to a medium traditionally reserved for gamers or tech-savvy users. “Our work with Ukraine shows what's possible when innovation meets mission,” said Andy Pratt, Corporate Vice President of Emerging Technologies at Microsoft. “From secure infrastructure to immersive storytelling, Microsoft helped to enable a digital experience that drives real-world impact.” Beyond storytelling, the project aims to reignite global attention on Ukraine's urgent need to restore its education system. As of 2025, 217 schools have been completely destroyed, with a further 1,705 damaged. At least 330 require bomb shelters to resume in-person education safely. Through its Education and Science programme, UNITED24 is directing donations towards rebuilding learning environments, supplying power generators, constructing shelters, and ensuring students have the essentials to study and thrive. The initiative encourages donors to remember their own childhood vulnerabilities and to invest in the future of children like Arina. Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation, said: “Thanks to the UNITED24 presidential platform and support from Microsoft, we are able to show the world the scale of destruction caused by Russia in Ukraine. Initiatives like this elevate fundraising to a new level — making it more innovative and effective, while drawing global focus back to Ukraine.” As Ukraine continues its struggle to heal and rebuild, Arina's Story offers a window into a child's imagination, but a call to action. It reminds the world that even amid destruction, the dreams of children endure — and with collective effort, they can be realised.
Keywords: Online,feature,video,arina,united24,war in ukraine,ukraine,russia,war,documentary,enormous scale,Children,immersive,science & technology
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