The Ukraine army band played the hit track ‘Don’t Worry be Happy’ in front of military barricades in act of defiance against Russia’s brutal invasion of the state.
In a video captured on social media, five members of the band can be seen playing the 80s hit by US singer Bobby McFerrin in the city of Odesa.
The video, which has been liked by more than 18,000 people on Twitter, shows the men playing in front of the city’s ballet and opera theatre as Ukrainians continue to fight against Russia’s invasion.
The video was first posted on Facebook and showed Amelia singing from an underground bunker while she was cheered by families seeking refuge from Russian missile strikes.
Don't worry, be happy. In front of the barricades protecting now Opera House in #Odessa #Ukraine️ . @diariARA pic.twitter.com/KbquaYUEIK
— Cristina Mas (@cristinamas_) March 8, 2022
Over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Russian forces were planning to launch a bombardment on the city which is located on the Black Sea coast.
In a Facebook post, the leader said: “Russian people always used to come to Odesa and they only knew warmth and generosity and what’s now?
“Artillery, bombs against Odesa. This will be a war crime. This will be historic crime.
“We are Ukrainians. We need peace. We want peace. And for Russian citizens it’s not only the fight for peace in Ukraine but for your peace and for your freedom.
“You used to see it. You knew prosperity if you will be silent now, then only your poverty will speak for you.”
Despite Russia’s heavy military superiority, Odesa, Kyiv and Kharkiv remain under Ukrainian control.
Following negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian officials, 5,000 people took buses out of the city of Sumy, regional governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky said, and about 1,000 cars were also able to leave, moving towards the city of Poltava.
The city of Mariupol has been surrounded by troops amid fears a humanitarian crisis is crippling the city while local MP, Lesia Vasylenko, said a child died due to dehydration.
Russia’s invasion has now entered its fourteenth day but the Ministry of Defence’s latest situation update said fighting in the north-west of Kyiv has failed to make any significant breakthrough.
Mariupol, Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Sumy are continuing to take heavy shelling, however, with the United Nations also reporting at least 406 civilians have now been killed.
