From DW REV – Cars & Mobility.
After spending nearly a decade in Russian captivity, Alex is rebuilding his life in an unexpected way: drifting. In wartime Kyiv, where curfews, checkpoints and air raid threats remain part of daily life, the roar of engines and screeching tyres have become a form of therapy and a path towards recovery.
But Alex’s story is also a window into Ukraine’s resilient drift community. The country’s motorsport scene has been reshaped by war, with drivers leaving, joining the military or struggling with rising costs. Yet a dedicated group of enthusiasts continues to keep the sport alive, finding moments of freedom behind the wheel.
What does drifting mean in a country at war? And how can motorsport help people regain a sense of control after trauma? Watch the full story and share your thoughts in the comments.
#Ukraine #Drifting #Kyiv #Motorsport #CarCulture #TraumaRecovery #WarInUkraine #AutomotiveCulture #MobilityStories #MotorsportCommunity #DWREV
00:00 From Russian Prison to Kyiv’s Drift Scene
00:25 Drifting Through Wartime Kyiv
00:48 The Reality of Russian Captivity
01:11 Nearly 10 Years Behind Bars
01:28 How War Changed Ukraine’s Drift Community
01:55 Drivers Living with Uncertainty
02:25 Frozen Rivers and Underground Drift Spots
02:44 The Spirit of Ukrainian Drifting
03:01 Ukraine’s Pro-Am Drift Championship
03:27 Alex’s Dream of Competitive Drifting
03:36 Motorsport Under Martial Law
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REV – The Global Mobility and Innovation Show from Deutsche Welle