In her recent book “How Good It Is I have No Fear Of Dying,” seasoned journalist Lara Marlowe tells the unique tale of Yulia, a 29-year-old drone unit commander serving in the Ukrainian army. Yulia Mykytenko, known for her signature blue hair, is the focal point of the storyline which intricately intersects with the narrative of Ukraine itself.
Marlowe, who previously reported for the Irish Times from Paris and Washington, encountered Yulia in the course of interviews with several Ukrainian women while reporting on the war. She quickly perceived the remarkable character within Yulia and resolved to chronicle her journey. They planned regular meetings for this purpose.
However, their plans seemed to be constantly thrown off track. Marlowe remarked during the book’s premiere in Dublin, “Yulia was constantly cancelling plans.” Death in her drone unit, village invasions by tank columns, and even her disappearance after a heavy bombardment led to frequent interruptions.
Yulia, who initially joined the military to work alongside her husband Illia in Donbas in 2016, bravely leads a 25-man team. Tragically, Illia lost his life in a Russian attack. Marlowe’s book draws from a series of interviews conducted over the winter of 2023 and 2024.
The tale unfolded by Labour leader Ivan Bacik at the book’s launch underscored the harsh realities of war endured by Yulia, including the loss of her husband and father. He also pointed out the unthinkable horrors she had witnessed.
Highlighting the broader symbolism of Yulia’s fight, Marlowe stated, “Yulia’s fight is our fight.” She went on to specify that Yulia was waging a battle against dictatorship, censorship, torture, and war crimes.