The Art of War: Bridging Battlefields and Home

Ruslan’s art, born from war’s chaos, bridges soldiers and civilians. In each sketch, hope and humanity persist, even in the darkest moments of conflict.

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.