Even before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the ladies from Kharkiv competed in cheerleading against much younger women.
– We compete in the 25+ class. Some of those girls are around 35, we are twice as old – 60 years old, says Tanja, one of the members.
The team’s oldest member is 75 years old.
The team has participated in Ukraine’s version of the Talent program and in several prestigious competitions. They participated in the European Championship in Riga in 2022, but by then the members had been halved compared to before the war. The rest had fled Ukraine.
Arguments between those who fled and those who stayed
The documentary Dox: Nice Ladies depicts how the team was shaped by the war and the conflicts that arose between those who stay in their homeland and those who flee.
– Don’t bring your problems, when we damn near defy death and compete with a smile, says Nadja, who has remained in Ukraine.
– You should feel sorry for all Ukrainians, defends Sveta, who moved with her children and grandchildren to Amsterdam.
Watch Dox: Nice Ladies on SVT Play or on SVT2 at 22.30 on 22/10.