Living in my homeland is like a roll of the dice. One moment, you're enjoying a cozy cup of coffee at your favorite caffeteria, strolling with friends through serene city streets, and the next, you could find yourself trapped beneath the rubble of your own home.
On August 19, 2023, a devastating incident shook Chernihiv, Ukraine. That day, ruZZian military forces unleashed an Iskander-M ballistic missile targeting the Taras Shevchenko Theater in the heart of our city. This senseless act claimed the lives of seven innocent people, including a precious 6-year-old girl, and left another 144 individuals wounded, among them 15 children and 15 policemen.
The destruction of Hotel Ukraine stands as yet another tragic chapter in the series of ruZZian aggression in Chernihiv, a city with a rich history located just a stone's throw away from the ruZZian border. This building was reduced to rubble on March 12, 2022.
I've documented the heartbreaking results of the ruZZian aggression with photos and videos to ensure the world bears witness to the consequences of these actions.
#russiaIsATerroristState
I am a 50-year-young Ukrainian photographer trying to live my life in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
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The roof of the Taras Shevchenko Theater
Ukrainian flag in the wall damaged by a ruZZian ballistic missile
People are offering flowers and toys as a gesture of remembrance for the young girl whose life was tragically stolen by ruZZian Nazis.
Workers restoring the damaged roofs in the nearby buildings
Ukrainians are resorting to plywood to cover up the shattered windows. The message displayed on a shop's broken window reads: "We keep on working."
The Pyatnytska Church, which is affiliated with The Orthodox Church of Ukraine, dates back to the late 12th century and the early 13th century. It underwent renovations in the 1670s and 1690s, embracing the Ukrainian Baroque architectural style. In 1962, a restoration project by Petro Baranovskyi introduced some modifications to its style while preserving its historical significance.
A shop window, bearing the marks of damage, features a boy mannequin donning a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt known as a "vyshyvanka."
Destroyed Hotel Ukraine
At the start of this video, you'll notice the sound of me crying. I couldn't hold back my tears.
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