A Ukrainian photographer has been taking startling pictures of life in Kyiv after the Russian invasion.
Maria Volkova, who lives in the centre of the city, says her work shows the ‘proud and determined’ people of Kyiv in black and white.
She has photographed civilians and soldiers in the capital since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full scale attack on Thursday.
Her photos, shot on a Canon 60D, depict Ukrainian soldiers, civilians and the destruction seen on the streets on her hometown.
For the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war, visit our live blog: Russia-Ukraine live
In one picture, a child can be seen sheltering in the corner of Kyiv’s Metro station, surrounded by bags of belongings and dressed in a winter coat and hat.
In another, civilians are seen huddled together trying to sleep under a blanket, wearing layers of clothing.
It comes as Russia continues to bombard Ukraine with missile strikes and attacks on its major cities.
Ms Volkova, who was born in Kyiv but grew up in Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, described the mood of the people in the capital as ‘proud’ and ‘determined’.
She explained: ‘I’m working with a war correspondent from France, who enlightens the situation in Kyiv from inside.’
‘We’ve met civilian guys who became members of territory defence parts and took a weapon for the first time in their lives (and) a family with three kids that are leaving Kyiv “for nowhere”.
‘I spent a night in metro to see what’s going on there, went to the place where Ukrainian soldiers stopped an invasion…
‘And followed a restaurant owner who makes free dinners for policemen and prepares Molotov cocktails instead of the alcohol cocktails.’
Her photographs show soldiers wearing full camouflage gear, carrying weapons and ammunition across rubble strewn streets.
Other shots show scenes of cars with smashed windows, makeshift road blocks occupied by territorial soldiers and a person holding a handful of bullets.
The UN refugee agency said on Wednesday that about 874,000 people have fled Ukraine for neighbouring countries since the war started.
Russia-Ukraine war: Everything you need to know
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has entered its seventh day, with the attacks beginning on February 24.
Since then, Ukraine has suffered widespread damages and loss of life amid Russia’s major bombing campaign.
The majority of attacks have been focused in the capital city of Kyiv, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is currently based.
Russian President Vladamir Putin is prepared to resume talks with Ukraine tonight in bid to end war, according to a Kremlin spokesperson.
- More than 2,000 innocent civilians killed in Ukraine
- Huge cheers and standing ovation for Ukrainian ambassador in House of Commons
- Anonymous claims to have ‘shut down’ Russia’s space agency
- Children detained and put in cages for holding ‘no war’ banners in Moscow
- Terrifying elite Chechen hit squad sent to kill Zelensky ‘eliminated’
- Newborn babies feared dead after maternity home is bombed
- Which countries were part of the Soviet Union?
- Where in London to donate clothes, food and toiletries for Ukraine
- How can I join the Ukraine foreign legion?
Follow Metro.co.uk’s live blog for rolling coverage of conflict as it happens.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Source: Read Full Article