March 3rd 2023 saw the release of a collaboration between Massive Attack’s Robert ‘3D’ Del Naja and Ukrainian artist Slava Vakarchuk, the frontman of Ukraine’s most popular rock band Okean Elzy. Vakarchuck has performed 179 impromptu shows for civilians and soldiers across Ukraine since the invasion began 12 months ago. The track, “Obiymy (Legacy of War Mix)”, was re-worked by Del Naja and Euan Dickinson in March 2022 and is now released through Del Naja's Battle Box label. The vinyl release features a B-side (“Field Recordings / 2022”) in a gatefold sleeve press by Deepgrooves, the world’s most eco-friendly vinyl plant.

All profits go to the Legacy of War Foundation; an international charity providing support to civilians affected by conflict, founded by Giles Duley - a photographer, writer, campaigner and UN Global Advocate. Duley shot all photography for the digital and vinyl release, which was then designed by Robert Del Naja. Legacy of War Foundation will be partnering with UNITED24, a global fundraising platform, (launched by president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in May 2022) to help restore destroyed homes in Kyiv Oblast, under the Rebuild Ukraine program.

Speaking further about the collaboration Vakarchuk writes:
“It’s a great privilege for me to be a part of this project. I use every opportunity to raise funds for Ukrainians who are in need during these hard times and to spread the word about the terrible war to the people of the world. Being a huge fan of Massive Attack I am extremely happy that Rob Del Naja and his team created this great version of Obiymy. Many versions and remixes had been made before but this one stands special for me.”

Del Naja writes:
“I first met Slava in 2018 when we played in Kyiv, and we re-established contact when the invasion began. I returned to Ukraine with Giles Duley last year to see for myself the destruction inflicted on Kyiv and its suburbs during a year of Russian military aggression. The primary intention of this collaboration is to express an act of civil solidarity with the people of Ukraine and offer material aid to those most in need.”

About Legacy of War Foundation:
Legacy of War Foundation was set up to do things differently: operating localised, beneficiary-led projects to support civilians affected by conflict and raising awareness of the lasting impact of war without big offices, international teams or unnecessary overheads. Founded in 2017, the Foundation now runs projects around the world including its innovative land transfer and sustainable agriculture program Land for Women in Rwanda, refugee support in Lebanon, and an extensive Ukraine crisis response supporting marginalised groups with specialist evacuation support, shelters and humanitarian aid.

www.legacyofwarfoundation.com / @legacyofwarfoundation

About UNITED24:

UNITED24 was launched by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine. More than 288$ million has been raised through donations from over 110 countries during 9 months of operation of the UNITED24 fundraising platform. UNITED24 ambassadors include singer and actress Barbra Streisand, actors Mark Hamill, Liev Schreiber and Katheryn Winnick, Imagine Dragons group, Balenciaga creative director Demna, film director Michel Hazanavicius, astronaut Scott Kelly, historian Timothy Snyder, country singer Brad Paisley, Ukrainian athletes, Andriy Shevchenko, Elina Svitolina, and Oleksandr Usyk.

A note about proceeds:

Legacy of War Foundation will use the proceeds from the single to partner with UNITED24’s Rebuild Ukraine program, which aims to restore residential buildings in the Kyiv Oblast damaged during the Russian invasion. This program will enable 4237 Ukrainians to return to their homes in Irpin, Borodyanka, Hostomel, Buzove and Mila.

UNITED24 was launched by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine.