THE PICTURES: Ukraine

The Quiet Casualties: How War's Shadow Claims Lives in Ukraine

Vudi Xhymshiti — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 12:37:56 GMT

As I sit here, far from the turbulent grounds of Ukraine, the text message from Tatiana flashed on my phone screen this morning, piercing the quietude of my surroundings. It was September 4, 2024, and the message carried the kind of news that no one is ever ready to receive:

When Music Stops: A Violinist's Journey to the Frontline

Vudi Xhymshiti — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 21:54:32 GMT

When I arrived in Kharkiv at the beginning of August, the tension was almost tangible. It clung to the city like the dust that settled in the cracks of its war-torn buildings, and in the faces of the people who had lived through too much. Despite this, there was a quiet strength that ran through the city—a determination that refused to be snuffed out. It was in this landscape of resilience and despair that I met Brian Dooley, a senior advisor to Human Rights First, a U.S.-based human rights organisation. His presence in Kharkiv was a reminder of the global effort to uphold human dignity amidst the devastation of war.

Alla (in red) and her family, including her husband (not pictured) and their two children (R), are forced to flee their home again due to Russian airstrikes. "We had everything—work, a home. Now there's nothing left. It's hard to stay positive, but we try," she says. In the middle of the scene, Brian Dooley, wearing a bulletproof vest, stands facing Alla, while the Rose in Hand volunteer group helps with the evacuation. Alla's children, aged 15 and 12, were hospitalised after the February bombings. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

Brian was a man who had seen the worst of humanity but still spoke with an unwavering belief in its capacity for good. As we walked through the city, he shared stories of the people who had chosen to stay in the frontline zones, those who had refused to abandon the homes and lives they had built, despite the danger.

“It’s not just about surviving,” Brian said, his voice tinged with a sadness that comes from understanding, “it’s about losing everything that makes you who you are. The places, the routines, the people—they all form your identity, and when that’s ripped away, what’s left?”

One story that Brian shared with me stuck in my mind—a story of a violinist who had traded the elegant movements of a bow for the harsh, hurried actions of an ambulance driver. The shift in her life was so stark, so jarring, that I felt a deep need to meet this person. Brian, understanding the urgency in my request, connected me with Natalia, the former violinist. We arranged a photoshoot first, capturing her in moments that spoke of the life she once had and the one she lives now. After that, we planned a longer conversation, one where she could tell me her story in her own words.

With her back to the camera, Natalia walks through the ruins, rifle slung over her shoulder. The desolate surroundings amplify the gravity of her new reality, far removed from her past life as a violinist. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

Cutting Through Chaos: Kharkiv’s Barbers Hold the Line

Vudi Xhymshiti — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 19:55:54 GMT

Kharkiv, Ukraine — Roman is not your ordinary barber. As the owner of three barbershops in Kharkiv, he represents a unique fusion of resilience, ingenuity, and adaptability, having weathered both the storm of war and the challenges of a global pandemic. Roman's journey, however, extends beyond the confines of Ukraine. With his daughter living in the United States and a personal connection to Los Angeles, his experience is a testament to the interconnectedness of our world, even in times of conflict.

Roman poses for a picture inside the barbershop premises on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, in an undisclosed location in Kharkiv, Ukraine. As the resilient owner of multiple barbershops, Roman has become a symbol of strength and perseverance amidst the chaos of war. (VX Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti)

A Fashion Designer’s War: The Story of Natalia Poniatovska

Vudi Xhymshiti — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 21:25:19 GMT

When I arrived in Kharkiv on the 5th of August, little did I know that I would encounter so many intriguing stories, so many fascinating individuals who felt like home. I met an artist who was sketching on paper, capturing the vivid circumstances and situations in the trenches of the frontline. There was someone playing during air raids, another gentleman who was once a teacher, and a lady who, also a teacher, had joined the army. Then, there was the scientist striving to ensure that the European Centre for Nuclear Research, CERN in Geneva, would understand the grave danger of allowing Russians access to scientific findings on the latest technology—findings that could be used to bolster Russia's military power and perpetuate their war. But what truly surprised me was meeting a fashion designer, a woman nearly my mother's age, yet she looked as young as my sister. Our brief introduction came courtesy of the Kharkiv Media Hub.

A Ukrainian armoured convoy moves along a deserted road, flanked by dense forests and distant fields, advancing through eastern Ukraine in August 2024. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

At first, I was skeptical. Fashion? I thought. What could a fashion designer possibly offer that would pique my interest? I had never written about fashion, nor did I understand it. Throughout my life, I’ve worn trousers until they were practically falling apart and needed replacing, sticking to the same shirts and shoes as long as they kept me dry and warm. But then they explained—this fashion designer had an extraordinary story to tell. Her business, like many others, had been affected by the war. Yet, instead of closing shop, as so many others had done, she transformed her business into something meaningful, something vital for Ukraine’s survival under these dire circumstances. She didn’t just survive; she thrived, becoming part of Ukraine’s ongoing story, helping her country in its time of need.

The Art of War: Bridging Battlefields and Home

Vudi Xhymshiti — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 12:13:45 GMT

In this humorous yet poignant image, Ruslan depicts me as a war correspondent, navigating the chaos with my camera amidst the crossfire, asking soldiers to "please not look into the lens... and do not shoot." This scene resonates deeply with anyone familiar with the realities of reporting from conflict zones, where the line between documenting and surviving can be razor-thin. (© Ruslan Pikhota)

I feel incredibly privileged to share this piece of art sent to me by Ruslan, a Ukrainian soldier and talented artist, who brilliantly captured a moment of my own experience in the field. — Vudi Xhymshiti.

Ruslan’s work not only showcases his artistic skill but also his remarkable ability to find humour in the most intense situations. It’s an honour to be part of his creative expression, and I'm excited to have been given the privilege of telling his story.

Don't forget to subscribe to Breakthrough the Wall to support my work in telling the human stories of war. Also, follow Ruslan on his Instagram to see more of his art: Ruslan's Instagram.

Wounded but Unbroken: Olga Kovalova's War Story

Vudi Xhymshiti — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 20:51:16 GMT

On the 1st of August 2024, Kharkiv stood firm yet somber under the weight of ongoing conflict. The air was thick with uncertainty, a palpable tension that seemed to echo the determined footsteps of those who refused to bow to the storm. I had arrived in this war-scarred city to meet Olga Kovalova, a photojournalist whose courage and dedication had led h…

A Ukrainian Physicist's Crusade: Ending Russian Influence at CERN

Vudi Xhymshiti — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 14:25:22 GMT

On a serene Sunday morning, I engaged in an enlightening conversation with Professor Borys Grynyov, a distinguished Ukrainian physicist and a vehement advocate for the expulsion of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) from the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN). Our discussion delved into the intricate and contentious relations…

Surviving the War: Dima's Journey of Resilience and Hope in Ukraine

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 15:49:06 GMT

The early hours of a July Wednesday brought with them a stirring sense of restlessness. Kyiv, though brimming with its own peculiar charm, felt suffocating under the weight of memories and the relentless cycle of conflict reportage. The call to venture beyond its borders to Brodyanka and Andriivka was more than an escape; it was a pilgrimage to a past s…

Resilience Amid Ruins: Nadiia Vorobei's Struggle and Hope in Ukraine

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:31:54 GMT

It is a bright Wednesday morning in Kyiv, where the routine air raid sirens have become as familiar as the daily brush of teeth. Yet, the city remains eerily calm, a testament to the resilience of its inhabitants. The threat of Russian drones and missiles looms large, but the people of Kyiv have adapted to this new normal. As I awoke to the fresh, sunny…

Borodyanka Rebuilds: Residents Battle Cold, Costs, and Challenges

Vudi Xhymshiti — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 18:13:40 GMT

BORODYANKA, UKRAINE—Halina Egorovna has placed every bucket, pot, and pan she owns around the floor of her one-bedroom apartment. Sheets of plastic line her walls and her couch, but the floor is still soaked. A cold autumn rain drenched Kyiv Oblast the previous night, pouring through the holes in her building’s roof and leaking into her apartment.

Halina…