U2 unveil a powerful short film for “Yours Eternally,” four years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The politically charged EP Days Of Ash and the collaboration with Ed Sheeran and Taras Topolia bring forward a story written as a letter from a soldier, focusing on resilience, sacrifice, and freedom.
Four years after the beginning of the war in Ukraine, U2 return with a project that feels urgent, intimate, and deeply human. The band has released a short film to accompany “Yours Eternally,” one of the standout tracks from their surprise EP Days Of Ash. More than a music video, the film works as a quiet statement — a reminder that behind global headlines there are personal stories still unfolding.
“Yours Eternally” is structured as a letter from a soldier in active service. That choice shapes everything about the song. Instead of dramatic slogans or abstract political commentary, the lyrics focus on distance, longing, memory, and the fragile hope of reunion. The emotional tone is restrained but intense, carried by Bono’s voice and the layered production that builds without overwhelming the message.
The collaboration behind the track adds another level of meaning. Alongside Bono and The Edge, the song features Ed Sheeran and Ukrainian musician Taras Topolia. Topolia is not only a performer; he is currently serving as a soldier. His involvement shifts the project from symbolic solidarity to lived connection. The story in the song reflects realities that are not theoretical.
The short film was directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Ilya Mikhaylus and adopts a documentary-style approach. There are no exaggerated cinematic effects. Instead, the camera follows Alina and fellow soldiers through fragments of daily life. Viewers see preparation, waiting, moments of silence, and brief flashes of warmth between comrades. The strength of the film lies in its simplicity. It does not attempt to dramatize conflict. It observes human endurance.
U2 described Days Of Ash as a body of work that could not wait. According to Bono, these songs were written as an immediate response to the world’s current tensions. While the band is preparing a full studio album for later in 2026, the EP stands apart. It reflects reaction, urgency, and reflection in real time.
The six tracks on Days Of Ash revolve around individual perspectives. One focuses on a mother. Another centers on a father. One tells the story of a teenage girl whose life was cut short. “Yours Eternally” gives voice to a soldier who left behind creative dreams to step into a battlefield. The EP does not present geopolitical analysis. It highlights the human cost.
Bono has spoken about how meaningful it felt to have all four members of U2 fully present in the studio again. After years marked by global disruption and personal reflection, the band appears to be entering a new phase. The music feels stripped back in emotion but layered in intention.
The partnership with Ed Sheeran also reflects this shift. Bono has mentioned spending time with Sheeran and his wife Cherry in recent years, noting their shared interest in social causes. In the studio, the collaboration reportedly involved long nights of writing in Dublin, blending intensity with creative freedom. The result is a track that feels both intimate and expansive.
Importantly, “Yours Eternally” does not aim for commercial dominance. It is not built around a radio-friendly hook designed for charts. Instead, it leans into storytelling. The letter format gives the listener the sense of reading something private — words that might never be spoken face to face.
The timing of the release is deliberate. Four years into the war, the global news cycle has shifted repeatedly, yet the daily reality for those affected continues. By releasing the short film now, U2 re-center attention on individuals whose lives remain shaped by uncertainty.
Beyond the EP, the band also announced the return of their longtime fanzine Propaganda, signaling renewed engagement with their audience. It suggests a broader creative revival — not just new music, but a reconnection with the community that has followed them for decades.
Bono has long used his platform to address humanitarian issues, from global health to human rights. “Yours Eternally” fits naturally within that trajectory. It does not preach. It documents emotion. It leaves space for reflection.
As anticipation builds for U2’s upcoming full album, Days Of Ash stands as a distinct chapter in their discography. It is a snapshot of a specific historical moment — not filtered through distance, but captured in the present tense.
The short film for “Yours Eternally” ultimately serves as a bridge between art and reality. It reminds viewers that resilience is often quiet, that courage is rarely cinematic, and that even in the darkest chapters, people continue to write letters, hold on to memory, and believe in freedom.
