Barbershops in Wartime Ukraine: How They Work and Help the Military
Working through blackouts and air raid alerts
Most Ukrainian barbershops kept working through the war, but in a different way. When the full-scale invasion began, some closed for a while, some moved to safer regions, and others stayed open in frontline cities, cutting hair for local residents and the military. Owners and barbers dealt with power cuts, water outages and broken supply chains, and still found ways to keep going: a flashlight over the workstation, battery-powered clippers, a lot of improvisation. In many cities barbershops set up shelters for clients during air raid alerts, let people charge their devices, made hot drinks and offered emotional support. A haircut became more than a service. The barbershop turned into an island of stability where people could feel safe, tidy themselves up and talk with others going through the same thing. The war pulled teams closer together and made barbers feel more responsible for their clients and the community around them.
Haircuts for soldiers, volunteers and displaced people
The biggest change came in how barbershops support soldiers, volunteers and local residents. Many cut hair for the military for free, at a discount or for a token fee, and some barbers travel to hospitals and military units as mobile teams. At 044 Barbershop in Kyiv, special offers apply for military personnel. Demand shifted too: evacuation, migration and mobilisation left some regions with fewer clients, while others gained clients as displaced people and soldiers arrived. Shops adjusted their hours and added express haircuts, and generators, power banks and cordless tools became part of the normal working day. Beyond haircuts, barbershops join charity drives, raise money for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and run master classes, auctions and themed evenings for the army and volunteers. Emotional support matters as much: in the chair, a client can talk to the barber, share what they have lived through, get advice or simply take a break from the news.
Why the barbershop became a place of support
Despite the hard conditions, many Ukrainian barbershops are still open and have become examples of resilience and social responsibility. They kept jobs for their barbers and created work for people who lost theirs because of the war. Some opened courses for displaced people, teaching them a new trade and helping them settle into a new community. Owners work with volunteer organisations, collect humanitarian aid and run information campaigns in support of the army and civilians. In wartime the barbershop became a centre of community life, a place where new connections form and people keep a sense of unity and mutual help. These shops showed that even in the hardest circumstances people can stay humane, support each other and find the strength to help. For many clients, a regular haircut during the war is a sign of faith in victory and a wish to live fully. Stop by for a haircut between shifts or while on leave; if you serve, the administrator will tell you about the special offers for military personnel.
Source: imtuik.org.ua