Biggest Ukraine’s rock stars Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, with more than a million followers on Twitter.
He’s used to packing out venues across the country with his band Okean Elzy (Elza’s Ocean).
But now we’re all looking on nervously as he climbs gingerly onto the railings of a towering bridge in central Kyiv and slowly lifts his arms aloft.
It’s an apt image as the future of his homeland hangs in the balance.
“Everything will be fine,” he sings. The lyrics of one of his greatest hits embodies the calm fortitude the country is trying to project in the face of the latest Russian aggression.
Hundreds have gathered round and are now joining in the chorus. Hundreds of thousands will be watching this streamed online.
Russian President Vladimir Putin may have done a lot of talking recently, but this is the voice of Ukraine.
As the impromptu concert ends and Vakarchuk tries to weave his way through his legion of fans, I ask what message he wants to send.
“The destiny and the future of Ukraine is not only the destiny and the future of Ukrainians, but also for millions and billions of people who want to live in freedom, dignity and democracy,” he replies.
He says his country needs the world to step up and stand by Ukraine more than ever.
“The most important message is that Ukraine is united, we are strong. We are optimistic. We are looking into the future with wide open eyes, and we shall overcome.”
This sense of defiance is pulsing through the crowd that has gathered here in the heart of the capital.
We find a group of history students quietly reciting the national anthem with their palms resting on their hearts.
The opening words proclaim: “Ukraine’s glory hasn’t perished, nor freedom, nor will.”
Freedom is a word so many people we talk to reach for.
Tamila Kalytenko explains: “We will fight for our nation, our city, our country, our home. Everyone in Ukraine today is together.”
Maryna – only 15 years old – introduces herself.
She says her parents are proud that she’s trying to protect her own future and that of Ukraine.
“I’m not afraid,” he says, “I praise my armed forces. I think they will save us from this.”
But what if the situation got very bad, could you see yourself leaving, I ask.
“I will stay because it’s my country, my city and I will fight for my national identity.”
This outpouring of patriotic pride is manifesting itself in another, more material way.
In the small office of the military charity “Come Back Alive”, they can’t believe what they’re seeing on their laptop screens.
Taras Chmut, a former drone pilot in military intelligence, tells me they’ve received more online donations in the past 24 hours than in the whole of the last year.
It’s the equivalent of £500,000 ($677,000).
This means more of the thermal cameras, drones and landmine disarming kits stacked up on the tables will soon be making their way to the frontline to boost supplies for those who’ve been fighting Russian-backed rebels for the past eight years.
