The Drone

A short story collection by a unique witness. The world must remember. Pete Shmigel's stories starkly remind us of the human dimension of the war against Ukrainians. With empathy born of his direct experience, Pete shares deep insights about their traumatic but triumphant lives. - Vasyl Myroshnychenko Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand Set in Ukarine where worlds are exploding and tragedy abounds, Pete Shmigel's photographic fiction zeroes in on a neglected truth that, like the devil, dignity is in the details. Whether it's a pair of cheap sneakers or a precious horse figurine, our attachment to life's daily things determines the meaning we give to our lives. Shmigel caresses the surface of life's seemingly insignificant details and penetrates to the source of human dignity - as well as the strength and vulnerability that come with it. - Stash Luczkiw: Features Editor of Kyiv Post This war that still rages in the heart of Europe must be remembered not as statistics, but as human stories-ordinary and extraordinary at once. Because this war is not just about the frontlines and weapons. It is about shattered homes, dogs searching for their owners, manicured fingers under the rubble, old women with pigeons surviving the apocalypse. This is the truth Pete Shmigel lays bare. - Yuliia 'Taira' Paievska, a former POW and war hero. AUTHOR: Pete Shmigel is a Western Sydney based writer. He is the son of Ukrainian refugees from World War 2. He has had a 30-year-long career in politics, business, the NGO sector and journalism. He is a former CEO of Lifeline Australia and initiator of Lifeline Ukraine. Pete is the founder of Revolve ReCYCLING, a social enterprise that gives refurbished bicycles to disadvantaged children, including Ukrainian refugee and Indigenous children..