As Ukraine marks 35 years of independence, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will host War Up Close, an immersive virtual-reality exhibition documenting the war in Ukraine, on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Strong Hall, Room 104 (1621 West Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996). The event is free, open to the public, and suitable for all ages. It is hosted by the Ukrainian Club at UT Knoxville with the War Up Close VR museum, and supported by the Knoxville nonprofit koloHUB and the University of Tennessee Libraries.
Visitors put on a virtual-reality headset and step into 360-degree panoramic footage of Ukraine — walking through neighborhoods, schools, and public buildings damaged or destroyed by Russia’s full-scale invasion, including the wreckage of the An-225 “Mriya,” once the largest aircraft in the world. For a few minutes, the war is no longer something seen on a screen. The exhibition presents documentary imagery only and contains no graphic depiction of casualties.
“The images we present are not artistic interpretations — they are factual visual evidence,” said Mykola Omelchenko, co-founder and panoramic photographer of the War Up Close VR museum and the exhibition’s guest speaker. “They are created so the world can see, understand, and remember.”
The exhibition has been shown in cities across Canada, North America, and Europe. Bringing it to East Tennessee gives the Knoxville community a chance to bear witness and stand with Ukraine.
The University of Tennessee Libraries is supporting the exhibition by providing virtual-reality equipment (twelve headsets in all) so that many visitors can take part throughout the day.
Event details
What: War Up Close: immersive VR exhibition on the war in Ukraine
When: Saturday, October 24, 2026, form 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Strong Hall, Room 104, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1621 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996)
Admission: Free and open to the public; all ages welcome
Hosted by: The Ukrainian Club at UT Knoxville, with the War Up Close VR museum; supported by koloHUB and the UT Libraries
About the organizers
The Ukrainian Club at UT Knoxville promotes awareness and understanding of Ukrainian culture, heritage, and contemporary issues. War Up Close is a virtual-reality museum documenting the war in Ukraine through panoramic photography. koloHUB is a Knoxville-based, volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Discover more from Inside of Knoxville
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.