Hér San was then a city under Russian occupation. It was occupied from March 2nd, and there was no way that a good patriotic Ukrainian could take part in this concert as far as Karpadenko was concerned. He loved the accordion because it was the sound of the land of Ukraine, together with the violin. The citizens had risen up in revolt and had protested in huge numbers at first, but they'd been dispersed with live rounds. So many people had left, but he was determined to stay. His mood on his Facebook page was extremely defiant.