2024 was tough, for all of us, for Ukraine, but also for me personally: I lost my mom, my dear friend, my family member went missing during the battle mission. And yet, there have been light. There have been kindness. There have been that something that helps you to push through. We call that life, for the lack of a better word. I consider it a miracle, and the testament of the best qualities we humans possess that shine themselves the brightest during the darkest of hours.
These photos have caught some of it.
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Kharkiv, May 11, 2024, 5 am , school kids are preparing for the prom using the break in russian attacks on the city. Photo: Yan Dobronosov, Telegraf
Kharkiv, Ukraine , September 24, 2024, after russia hit the apartment building with a missile. Photo: Suspilne Kharkiv / Yevhen Gertner
Ukrainian defender, who had just returned back home from russian captivity, after another POWs exchange between Ukraine and russia. September, 2024. Overall 3956 Ukrainians were liberated since the beginning of full scale war in February 2022. Many reported starvation, torture. Photo: Kostiantyn and Vlada Liberov
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Ukrainian city of Sumy after russian missile hit apartment buildings. August 17, 2024. Photo: Ukraine’e State Emergency Service of Sumy region
Christmas carollers in Kyiv, Ukraine in traditional cloothing. December, 2024. This year is second time Christmas moved to December 25 instead of January 6-7. Photo: Zaiarnyi Pasha
People in Kyiv, Ukraine, walking through rubble left by russian attack on the city on December 20. Photo: Yan Dobronosov, Telegraf
Christmas Day in Donetsk region, Ukraine ,2024. Military serviceman is kissing his partner. Photo: Yan Dobronosov, Telegraf
Rescue workers and volunteers working together to help rescue mission after russian hit Ohmatdyt Children’s hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 8, 2024. Photo: AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka
Barista in Kyiv, Ukraine, filling generator with petrol, December 4. Blackouts have been happening everyday at that point for 3-4 hours a time, so coffee places like this one rely on generators to continue to work. Photo: Margo Gontar
Room with a view: in apartment in Kharkiv, Ukraine, after russian drone attack on November 13, 2024. Photo: Pavlo Pakhomenko, via Nakypilo. ua
Childhood in Ukraine: kids staying in Kyiv metro during russian attack on Kyiv on November 17, 2024. Photo: Yan Dobronosov, Telegraf.
Church in Kherson, Ukraine hit by russian attack on November 9, 2024. One of many evidences of russian hypocritical statements how they allegedly value faith and religion. Photo: Kherson regional military administration
Emergency workers rescuing two dogs after russian missile attack on Kyiv, Ukraine on December 20, 2024. Photo: Yan Dobronosov, Telegraf
Odesa, Ukraine on March 15, 2024, when russia waited after the first attack on the city and once rescuers and medics came to help the wounded civilians - russian army double tapped. One medic and one rescuer were killed. Seven rescuers wounded. Two fire and rescue trucks were damaged. Photo: Ukraine’s State Emergency Service of Odesa region
Family meeting Ukrainians who had just returned back to Ukraine from russian captivity. December 30, 2024. Photo
Kyiv, Ukraine on August 27 , 2024, during blackout because after russian missile attack. Photo: Margo Gontar
me in the hallway of an apartment in Kyiv, Ukraine during russian missile attack on January 2, 2024. This is what we call in between two walks, which means far from the windows and what gives you hopefully at least 2 walls of protection from all sides in case of an attack, Photo: Margo Gontar
Thank you for your continuous support throughout this year. It means a world to me. Your kind support makes it possible for me to continue sharing stories about Ukraine and let the world know about war russia started against us. If you want to join my effort, you can support my work via buy me a coffee.
What you in Ukraine have to endure, the terror of Russia right on your doorstep, the horrors of a war whose roots lie in the depths of Putin's warped mind, supported by all those around him who together could put an end to it all, but don't, my mind is barely able to comprehend the depravity of a nation that seems to thrive on greed, envy and the suffering of all those whom it deems fit to punish and terrorise.
Wishing you and all Ukrainians, everywhere, a lasting peace in your beautiful land, a peace that will spread to many more war torn lands if Russia can be beaten and its abominable political classes cast out into the wilderness.
Let's hope and pray that our Western leaders realise finally that they must put behind them all and any of their fears about Russian threats, to act with more than brave words, with more adequate support both humanitarian and military, and be bold enough now to send forces forward into Ukraine to help those who risk their life and limb daily in the fight against your barbaric aggressors (yes, that's not just Russia, but all those who have joined in alongside Russia, including NKorea, Iran and even China, and as well all those individuals helping Russia to evade sanctions and sustain its military machine with essential Western made hardware & knowhow).
Only that you are not alone - there are lots of us who care very much about what happens to you, to Ukraine, and that freedom means free of the invaders. I so want to see the ruzzian invaders out of Ukraine, and to see what beauty there can be in Ukraine as it rebuilds to the country it so wants to be.
You have given me an insight into what life is like on a daily basis in Kyiv and Ukraine. The culture. The beauty. The devastation by Russia. And the Ukrainians fighting with everything they have to keep their country alive. The dancers. The kindness shown to each other. The kindness shown to those of us who are outside - and how much we have to learn from Ukraine.
I will continue to do whatever I can to help Ukraine - and you, in particular - to “keep on keepin’ on” and not just survive this war, but to thrive in spite of it.
(And that includes making “good trouble” on this side of the pond.)
Much love to you and your family, friends, and your entire community.
A great selection of photos.
What you in Ukraine have to endure, the terror of Russia right on your doorstep, the horrors of a war whose roots lie in the depths of Putin's warped mind, supported by all those around him who together could put an end to it all, but don't, my mind is barely able to comprehend the depravity of a nation that seems to thrive on greed, envy and the suffering of all those whom it deems fit to punish and terrorise.
Wishing you and all Ukrainians, everywhere, a lasting peace in your beautiful land, a peace that will spread to many more war torn lands if Russia can be beaten and its abominable political classes cast out into the wilderness.
Let's hope and pray that our Western leaders realise finally that they must put behind them all and any of their fears about Russian threats, to act with more than brave words, with more adequate support both humanitarian and military, and be bold enough now to send forces forward into Ukraine to help those who risk their life and limb daily in the fight against your barbaric aggressors (yes, that's not just Russia, but all those who have joined in alongside Russia, including NKorea, Iran and even China, and as well all those individuals helping Russia to evade sanctions and sustain its military machine with essential Western made hardware & knowhow).
Happy New Year 🇺🇦
Slava Ukraini!
I am left with no words in response.
Only that you are not alone - there are lots of us who care very much about what happens to you, to Ukraine, and that freedom means free of the invaders. I so want to see the ruzzian invaders out of Ukraine, and to see what beauty there can be in Ukraine as it rebuilds to the country it so wants to be.
You have given me an insight into what life is like on a daily basis in Kyiv and Ukraine. The culture. The beauty. The devastation by Russia. And the Ukrainians fighting with everything they have to keep their country alive. The dancers. The kindness shown to each other. The kindness shown to those of us who are outside - and how much we have to learn from Ukraine.
I will continue to do whatever I can to help Ukraine - and you, in particular - to “keep on keepin’ on” and not just survive this war, but to thrive in spite of it.
(And that includes making “good trouble” on this side of the pond.)
Much love to you and your family, friends, and your entire community.
May this year bring victory for Ukraine.