Capturing Courage: The Unseen Toll of War Through Ukrainian Lens

For three years, Ukrainian photographers have transitioned from celebratory moments to documenting the harsh realities of war, sharing intimate stories of loss and resilience in the face of danger.

In the three years since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, numerous photographers have stepped into the perilous role of documenting the war's human impact, both on the battlefield and in civilian areas. They have bravely shared their stories and poignant images, many of which have graced international news platforms since February 2022.

Among these storytellers are Vlada and Kostiantyn Liberov, a husband and wife duo who used to specialize in wedding and portrait photography in Odesa. Their lens has shifted dramatically from capturing joyful celebrations to exposing the painful realities of war. "We moved from capturing love stories to documenting Russian war crimes," Vlada recalls. She bears the physical scars of her work—a shrapnel wound incurred during an explosion in Donetsk in 2023, something doctors deemed too risky to remove.

Kostiantyn captured a striking image during the Ukrainian offensive into Russia's Kursk region in the summer of 2024, which portrays a soldier supporting a grieving comrade post-assault. This photograph resonates deeply with him, reflecting not just the personal loss but the emotional burden borne by soldiers engaged in such complex operations. "To lose your friend in an attack inside Russia, rather than defending our country at home, is extremely difficult," he states.

Vlada also highlights a significant moment, capturing a member of Ukraine's White Angels police unit—the last officers to patrol towns before they fall into enemy hands—trying to persuade a resident to evacuate from Avdiivka. Sadly, she left without the assurance of safety for that resident, a situation that haunts her. "It hurts knowing you cannot return to these places," Vlada admits, emphasizing the deep personal toll of repeated exposure to loss.

Another prominent photojournalist, Valeria Demenko, who has been with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine since 2016, frequently accompanies rescue operations in the Sumy region. After a devastating Russian shelling incident that collapsed a five-story building—resulting in multiple fatalities—she vividly remembers the search for a missing girl, an image of a doll lingering hauntingly in her memory. "We give every last ounce of strength to document Russia's crimes against peaceful Ukrainians," she asserts, shedding light on the emotional strain faced by first responders.

Alexander Ermochenko has witnessed the war from both sides of the front lines in Donetsk for over a decade. He recalls the fear and despair etched on the faces of those affected by the turmoil—an important reminder that suffering transcends political lines. His coverage includes both moments of dark humor and stark tragedy, as he draws parallels between the impacts felt by civilians regardless of territory.

Alina Smutko, based in Kyiv, recounted her firsthand experiences with missile strikes, having learned to navigate life while constantly worrying about her family and friends. The persistent threat of war has driven a sense of normalcy amidst chaos, yet it deeply affects the fabric of her profession. "We lost one of our team members, and another colleague has been badly wounded," Smutko shared, conveying the heavy emotional toll on her and her fellow journalists.

Despite the grim realities they face daily, these photojournalists remain committed to their work, believing that their documentation is crucial to acknowledging the suffering endured during this conflict. The phrases “if something hasn’t been photographed, it hasn’t happened” and “ documenting is crucial” echo the sentiment of urgency and responsibility that lies within their craft—one that walks the fine line between duty and emotional pain.