A Small, Stubborn Town

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Drama on 4: A Small Stubborn Town

A Small Stubborn Town

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, A Small Stubborn Town

The locals of Voznesensk must defend their town against the might of the Russian army.

A dramatisation of real events at the outbreak of war in Ukraine as the locals of Voznesensk mount a heroic defence of their town. Based on a book by Andrew Harding.

A gripping dramatisation of true events where the people of Voznesensk in Ukraine defended their town against the might of the Russian army.

In March 2022, as Russians rolled across the Ukrainian border, the locals of Vozesensk were faced with a terrifying choice. This small farming town had one thing the Russian army desperately needed – a river crossing. With the Ukrainian army fighting elsewhere, the civilians who live there needed to decide whether to defend their town against the advancing Russian army – or let them pass toward Odesa. 

This small bridge, and the actions of the people of Voznesensk, would change the course of the war.

Andrew Harding, BBC foreign correspondent and writer, was there in the aftermath of the battle, conducting extensive interviews that form the basis of his book, which is now dramatised by Jonathan Myerson. 

All the characters and events depicted here are very real. A cast of Ukrainian and Russian actors play the ordinary people of Voznesensk who are caught up in this extraordinary situation. 


A Small Stubborn Town
By Andrew Harding, dramatised by Jonathan Myerson

Yevhenii ..... Greg Kolpakchi
Andrii ..... Ed Ashe
Natasha ..... Helga Ronen
Svetlana ..... Kate Anstey
Ghost ..... Dennis Good
Formosa ..... Ivan Ivashkin
Valentin ..... Ivantiy Novak
Zhenia ..... Oleksandr Yatsenko

Sound design by Alisdair McGregor
Produced & Directed by Boz Temple-Morris

A Holy Mountain production for BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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