In the three years since Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, hundreds of photographers have bravely documented the devastating effects of conflict on both the front lines and in civilian areas. Many of these photojournalists have shared poignant stories connected to their images which have been featured in various media sources, including BBC coverage since February 2022.
One notable pair is Vlada and Kostiantyn Liberov, who transitioned from capturing weddings in Odesa to chronicling the emotional aftermath of war. Their work captures both heart-wrenching loss and moments of unexpected joy. Vlada personally knows the dangers associated with this profession; after an explosion in the Donetsk region in 2023, she remains with shrapnel embedded in her side. Kostiantyn’s photographs reflect the emotional strains faced by soldiers, encapsulating the confusion and heartache that occur when comrades are lost in battle.
Vlada's powerful images often depict the final moments in towns nearing capture, emphasizing the emotional toll of war on both soldiers and civilians. One haunting memory involved an interaction with a man who begged for help to evacuate his brother from an unsafe location. The next day, the police unit could not return due to fierce shelling, leaving Vlada to ponder the man’s fate and the broader implications of such decisions.
Another compelling voice is Valeria Demenko, who has followed Ukraine’s emergency service (DSNS) since 2016. Her work focuses on the urgent, often harrowing responses to residential attacks, as she details the emotional exhaustion that permeates her team while recovering victims from collapsed buildings. Her recollection of a child’s doll found amidst the rubble speaks to the human cost of the war.
For Alexander Ermochenko, witnessing conflict has become an integral part of his life. He refers to the shared pain of destruction on both sides of the front line and emphasizes the need to capture the shared humanity amid the chaos. His deliberate snapshots reveal not only devastation but also moments of normalcy in the face of horror.
In Kyiv, Alina Smutko’s work reflects the pervasive anxiety that comes with living under constant threat, as she documents the impact of airstrikes on the residents of her city. Despite the dangers she faces as a photojournalist, including the loss of colleagues, Smutko remains committed to sharing these stories believing that "if something hasn’t been photographed, it hasn’t happened."
As these photojournalists continue to document the war, their powerful images and stories reveal the profound personal losses, emotional struggles, and fleeting moments of joy, making their work essential to understanding the human experience of conflict in Ukraine.
One notable pair is Vlada and Kostiantyn Liberov, who transitioned from capturing weddings in Odesa to chronicling the emotional aftermath of war. Their work captures both heart-wrenching loss and moments of unexpected joy. Vlada personally knows the dangers associated with this profession; after an explosion in the Donetsk region in 2023, she remains with shrapnel embedded in her side. Kostiantyn’s photographs reflect the emotional strains faced by soldiers, encapsulating the confusion and heartache that occur when comrades are lost in battle.
Vlada's powerful images often depict the final moments in towns nearing capture, emphasizing the emotional toll of war on both soldiers and civilians. One haunting memory involved an interaction with a man who begged for help to evacuate his brother from an unsafe location. The next day, the police unit could not return due to fierce shelling, leaving Vlada to ponder the man’s fate and the broader implications of such decisions.
Another compelling voice is Valeria Demenko, who has followed Ukraine’s emergency service (DSNS) since 2016. Her work focuses on the urgent, often harrowing responses to residential attacks, as she details the emotional exhaustion that permeates her team while recovering victims from collapsed buildings. Her recollection of a child’s doll found amidst the rubble speaks to the human cost of the war.
For Alexander Ermochenko, witnessing conflict has become an integral part of his life. He refers to the shared pain of destruction on both sides of the front line and emphasizes the need to capture the shared humanity amid the chaos. His deliberate snapshots reveal not only devastation but also moments of normalcy in the face of horror.
In Kyiv, Alina Smutko’s work reflects the pervasive anxiety that comes with living under constant threat, as she documents the impact of airstrikes on the residents of her city. Despite the dangers she faces as a photojournalist, including the loss of colleagues, Smutko remains committed to sharing these stories believing that "if something hasn’t been photographed, it hasn’t happened."
As these photojournalists continue to document the war, their powerful images and stories reveal the profound personal losses, emotional struggles, and fleeting moments of joy, making their work essential to understanding the human experience of conflict in Ukraine.
