### Capturing Resilience: The Unseen Stories of Ukraine's War Photographers

**Ukrainian photojournalists narrate their experiences while documenting the human toll of war, revealing a juxtaposition of love and loss amid conflict.**

In the three years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a legion of photographers has taken to the front lines, immortalizing the profound human experiences shaped by the ongoing crisis. Among these brave souls is the duo Vlada and Kostiantyn Liberov. Once devoted to capturing weddings and portraits in Odesa, their focus swiftly transitioned to uncovering the grim reality of Russian war crimes. Vlada poignantly recalls, “We moved from capturing love stories to documenting war.”

Their journey through this harrowing landscape has come at a costly price; an explosion in the Donetsk region left Vlada with shrapnel embedded in her side, a permanent reminder of the peril associated with their calling. Similarly, Kostiantyn’s powerful imagery from the summer of 2024 narrates the emotional strain on soldiers during an offensive in the Russian Kursk region, highlighting the heartbreak of loss that weighs heavily on those caught in the conflict.

"For soldiers, losing comrades during assaults on foreign soil is particularly challenging," Kostiantyn reflects. “I took the photo because it carries a significant emotional weight. It portrays the harsh reality they face." The mental toll on photojournalists is often under-discussed. As Vlada states, “It's painful to talk about; you find yourself in dire situations that are hard to comprehend.”

Another striking photo taken by Vlada shows Ukraine's White Angels police unit on a desperate mission to evacuate civilians from Aviidvka, a city on the brink of devastation. The plight of one resident, who resisted evacuation despite the imminent threat, encapsulates their ongoing sacrifices. “It's painful to know that we might not be able to return to save them,” she recounts.

Photographs of fleeting moments of joy now gain newfound significance for these documentarians. One tender scene captured Dmytro, a soldier, cradling his newborn daughter, symbolizing the fleeting beauty they strive to protect amidst chaos.

Valeria Demenko has spent years with Ukraine's state emergency service, experiencing the visceral impact of destruction firsthand. Her memories remain stained by harrowing encounters following a five-story building collapse in the Sumy region, where emergency workers faced immense emotional strain while searching for survivors.

Alexander Ermochenko, who has chronicled the conflict throughout its evolution, offers insights into the shared humanity on both sides of the frontlines. He articulates, “The fear on a civilian's face is universal, transcending borders.” Ermochenko’s powerful imagery, such as the devastation following the Mariupol theatre bombing, stands testament to the horrors endured by civilians, while also illuminating the chilling normalcy of life amidst catastrophe.

Despite the omnipresent danger, Alina Smutko sheds light on the path of resilience. Living through near-constant strikes and air raid alerts, she remains driven to document the stark realities faced daily by her compatriots. “Documenting is paramount,” she emphasizes, believing that through photography, the truth of this war cannot be silenced.

Indeed, the world must remain aware of both the joys and the tragedies that coexist in the shadow of war, as seen through the lenses of those brave enough to capture it. The stories of these photojournalists resonate far beyond the battlefield, reminding us of the resilience and dedication of those who persist in their mission to shed light on the realities of conflict.