U2’s Bono and the Edge perform in Ukraine subway station

Bono, the frontman of the Irish rock group U2 and his bandmate the Edge performed a 40-minute concert yesterday, Sunday night, in a subway station in Kyiv and praised Ukrainians fighting for their freedom from Russia.

“Your president leads the world in the cause of freedom right now … the people of Ukraine are not just fighting for your own freedom, you’re fighting for all of us who love freedom,” Bono told a crowd of up to 100 gathered inside the Khreshchatyk metro station.

Russia pushed on towards Kyiv after invading Ukraine on 24 February before withdrawing its forces from near the capital at the end of March to concentrate its forces in the east of the country.

Although Russia is continuing to carry out missile strikes across Ukraine, some life has returned to Kyiv even though air raid sirens sound regularly.

Bono rallied the crowd between songs during his performance.

“This evening, 8 May, shots will ring out in the Ukraine sky, but you’ll be free at last. They can take your lives, but they can never take your pride,” he said. 

#U2’s #Bono and the Edge performed at the central subway station in Kyiv together with the Ukrainian band #Antytila. The Irish musicians have been supporting #Ukraine since the invasion began. pic.twitter.com/A0pLsqHEIV

— KyivPost (@KyivPost) May 8, 2022