Akhtem Seitablaev spoke about how he faced online hate due to his service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Ukrainian director Akhtem Seitablaev, who is of Crimean Tatar descent, said that from the very first days of his service in the Armed Forces, he faced skeptical comments and rumors because of his public profile.

As the director noted in an interview, early in his service he heard questions like “What are you doing here?” and speculation that his presence in the military might be a publicity stunt.

 Seitablaev says he considers it normal for people to want to know what a public figure is doing in the military. In his opinion, how a service member actually performs his duties is more important than such accusations.

“I know many of my colleagues, and I hope that no one would dare say about me that I have shirked the duties assigned to me by my commanders, starting from day one,” Seytablaevsaid.

The director also commented on criticism of public figures who serve in the Defense Forces while pursuing professional careers. According to him, a soldier’s schedule depends on their assignments and place of service.

Seitablaev called on critics of high-profile military personnel to first see their service with their own eyes. 

“Let them just set aside a week, for example, of their own time, and serve with each of us in our unit, so they can see for themselves why this is possible, what exactly is being done, and how people who are fulfilling their military obligations manage to do it all,” said the director.

He also mentioned the hate that other well-known public figures face while serving, including Oleg Sentsov, YARMAK, and the band “Antytila.” According to him, they are criticized for participating in concerts and other public activities and accused of receiving special treatment during their service.

“None of us is obligated to please everyone. What matters is what a person does and the results of their actions,” the director noted.

He added that military personnel’s public activities can be beneficial to the armed forces. In particular, well-known figures use their public profile to raise awareness about the Russia-Ukraine war, attract international aid, and draw attention to Russia’s crimes.

Seitablaev noted that he serves in the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He has now been working in the Communications Directorate of the Territorial Defense Command for three years.

According to him, the unit in which he serves has produced about 15 documentary films. During the Kursk Operation, the team worked there for nine months.

Akhtem Seitablaev is the director of the films“Haytarma,” “Cyborgs,” “Zakhary Berkut,” “A Stranger’s Prayer,” and “Mirnyi-21.” Since 2022, he has served in the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, currently in the Communications Directorate of the Territorial Defense Command.

Ірина Глухова