Ukrainian Soldier Gains Fame on TikTok

Ruslan Mokrytskyi, a 32-year-old Ukrainian soldier and influencer, has turned to cooking as a way to cope with the horrors of war. Filming TikTok videos, he shares recipes like pasta all'arrabbiata with his 131,600 followers, providing a brief escape from the stress of frontline combat. Just a day prior to his cooking session, he was piloting a drone in the 'hell of Toretsk,' where Russian forces have been persistently attacking. Mokrytskyi's unique approach not only helps him mentally but fosters camaraderie among his battalion, as they share recipes and laughter during filming. His first cooking video garnered over three million views, illustrating the impact of his light-hearted content amidst the ongoing conflict. Through his social media presence, he aims to uplift spirits in a time of darkness for Ukraine.