Life in a War Zone…

Life in a War Zone is a documentary photography and film project created during my time in Kyiv, Ukraine. I set out to see what everyday life looks like in a city living under the shadow of war.

I wasn’t there to chase headlines or dramatic moments. I wanted to understand how people live — how they work, love, adapt, and carry on when the world around them is uncertain.

Through my lens, I discovered strength and normality in the unlikeliest places: children laughing and playing on tanks, friends sharing coffee beside taped windows, people visiting exhibitions, attending concerts, creating art, doing yoga, clubbing, and living life as fully as we do here in the UK.

These moments reveal something extraordinary — even in conflict, humanity refuses to disappear. The resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people shine through every day, despite the dangers surrounding them.

For me, this project was a journey to understand one of the darkest aspects of existence and to witness humanity persisting amid chaos. I wanted to find life, courage, and hope in the midst of madness — and that is exactly what I found.

This is my journey. This is their story.

Intro to the Series

This project unfolds across six visual chapters — each exploring a different side of life in Kyiv, Ukraine, during wartime.

From the moment of arrival to the quiet resilience of daily routines, the visible scars of destruction to the intimate moments of love, art, and hope — every photograph forms part of a larger story. These sections reveal how humanity endures even when surrounded by conflict, and how life, in all its beauty and fragility, continues to move forward.

Entering Ukraine beneath a no fly zone.

Crossing into Ukraine felt heavy with uncertainty. Trains were darkened, and conversations quiet, yet there was an undeniable sense of purpose among those travelling home. Kyiv wasn’t a city hiding from the war — it was one adapting to it. My first moments there were marked by a strange calm, as if life had simply decided to continue regardless of circumstance.

Daily Life Under Pressure

In Kyiv, daily life goes on under constant tension. People commute to work, children play, and markets open, even as sirens interrupt the rhythm. I watched people pause, glance at their phones for updates, and then carry on. It’s resilience made ordinary — a quiet defiance that defines how Ukrainians have learned to coexist with uncertainty.

Visible Effects of War

The scars of war aren’t everywhere, but they’re impossible to ignore. Shattered glass, taped windows, and burned-out vehicles sit beside cafés and flower stalls. I photographed reminders of destruction standing next to signs of renewal — walls being repainted, streets swept clean. It’s a city where the evidence of violence meets an unrelenting desire to rebuild.

Intimacy and Human Resilience

Even in the shadow of conflict, people still find connection. Friends gather for coffee, couples walk hand in hand, and families share laughter in parks. I saw a tenderness that refuses to fade — a form of resistance that doesn’t use weapons, only love. In those moments, I found the real strength of Ukraine: humanity that endures.

Moments of Culture and Identity

Art, music, and creativity pulse through Kyiv’s veins. I photographed exhibitions, street murals, and underground clubs alive with energy. The war hasn’t silenced culture — it has sharpened it. Artists express what words can’t, and each performance, painting, and protest becomes an act of defiance, proving that identity can’t be bombed out of existence.

Signs of Hope in the Future

Despite exhaustion and loss, there’s still hope everywhere. Volunteers rebuild homes, children return to school, and life continues in small but powerful ways. Hope in Kyiv isn’t naive — it’s practical, patient, and built through daily acts of courage. I left Ukraine inspired by that endurance and forever changed by the strength of its people.

Conclusion…

During my time in Kyiv, I noticed how worn and tired the people appear after nearly four years of enduring war.

Nighttime bombings and drone attacks disrupt sleep and add constant psychological pressure, yet each day people continue to go about their lives as normally as possible.

The city itself has taken some damage, but it is largely intact. A strong ring of defence intercepts many drones and missiles, though debris can still fall unpredictably. Despite the danger, daily life carries on — many continue working, studying, and socialising, guided by apps and Telegram channels that provide warnings in real time. On one occasion, I experienced the reality firsthand, spending the night in an air raid shelter while hundreds of drones and missiles passed overhead.

Kyiv is a remarkable city, and its people are extraordinary. I have fallen in love with Ukraine and with the strength, warmth, and resilience of its citizens.

It’s time for the ending now.

Just stop the war!

I can say no more.