Comedian Anton Tymoshenko said laughter "was the only way to save your mental health in war".
ADVERTISEMENTYou might think comedy is off the menu in Ukraine amid the horror of Russia's invasion.
But in a country that has elected its most famous comedic actor as president, it is perhaps fitting Ukrainians are turning to laughter as a coping mechanism for the war.
One place it is happening is at a basement comedy club in the Ukraine capital Kyiv.
Here, jokes about Russian President Vladimir Putin and his army serve as a form of therapy for both the audience and the comedians themselves.
"This is the only way to save your mental health in war, I suppose," said comedian Anton Tymoshenko.
"Because I don't have money for a psychotherapist. A lot of Ukrainians don't have money for psychotherapists.”
A night out at one of these clubs costs between €7 and €9.
Some attendees say that they feel happier after watching a show, including Yuliia Shytk, an audience member.
"Thanks to them we actually can gather together and, you know, experience and enjoy together as well. So it's really nice. And I bet it's really hard for them, of course, like to write down those jokes, you know. But it helps everyone. So it's really cool."