Since the start of the Russian full-scale invasion, tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have fled the army. By October, the Prosecutor General’s Office had registered more than 50,000 cases of desertion and another 230,000 cases of so-called SZCh (СЗЧ) — “samovilne zalyshennia chastyny,” the temporary unauthorized leaving of a unit. The unreported number is even estimated at up to half a million — as large as an entire army.
It is not always the immediate fear of death that makes the men leave. Three of them shared their stories with @nzzasmagazin .
Great interviewing and text by @lottetetete
Photography and translation by @gerdwaliszewski
Thank you @dariovereb for the trust and assignment.
(1) Ivan with a headlamp in front of anti-drone nets in the Kharkiv region. He returned to the army after fleeing abroad for three months.
(2) Anton fled from the hospital where he was being treated for a spinal injury he had sustained during military training. His comrades were sent on to the front line. Months later, he received a message from the phone of a friend he had made at the training camp — it was from a Russian soldier who claimed to have killed him.
(3, 4) Serhii fought in the Ukrainian army for two and a half years. His service began with command negligence that culminated in a deadly disaster.
Oct 25’, Kyiv
1 & 3. Residential building near Pecherskyi Bridge same evening after Russian drone attack
2. Vsevolod helps removing debris from the burnt-out apartment of his conservatory teacher
OPEN CALL: 7 Days Left To Apply
Today we want to showcase the W. Eugene Smith Grant for Student Photographers. This grant is designed to encourage and support students whose photographic work follows the tradition of W. Eugene Smith’s compassion and commitment to storytelling. For 2025, the amount of the grant is $5,000. The grant provides two students with the opportunity to complete a photographic essay ($5,000 per student).
For full details on how to apply, please visit the link in our bio or
Application Deadline: October 5 at 11:59 PM EDT
Photo by Gerd Waliszewski, 2024 W. Eugene Smith Student Grant Recipient. @gerdwaliszewski
19 Days Left!
OPEN CALL: The W. Eugene Smith Fund is now accepting applications for its 46th annual Grant in Humanistic Photography, awarding a total of $67,500 to photographers and institutions working in the spirit of W. Eugene Smith’s legacy. This year’s Eugene Smith Student Grant’ is awarding $5,000 each to two student photographers.
Application Deadline: October 5, 2025
Waiver Deadline: September 23 2025
For more information and to apply, visit smithfund.org or the link in our bio.
Photograph by Gerd Waliszewski, 2024 W. Eugene Smith Student Grant Recipient. @gerdwaliszewski
Gerd Waliszewski
Between the Sirens
Das Langzeitprojekt „Between the Sirens“ befasst sich mit dem Leben junger Menschen in der Ukraine, die sich in ihrem vom Krieg zerrissenen Land zurechtfinden müssen. Ihr Alltag ist geprägt von Raketenangriffen und Luftalarmsirenen. Die Arbeit zeichnet das Porträt einer Generation, die sich täglich mit der Zerbrechlichkeit des Lebens und ihres Zuhauses zurechtfinden muss.
Jahrgang Neunzehn der Ostkreuzschule für Fotografie
und Absolvent*innen der Kunsthochschule Weißensee
Gute Gesellschaft
Abschlussausstellung
18. Juli - 27. Juli 2025
Vernissage: 18. Juli 2025, 18 Uhr
Wilhelm Studios
Kopenhagener Straße 60-68,
13407 Berlin
Alle Bilder @gerdwaliszewski
Dank des Sponsorings der Flächen von den @wilhelmstudios und @bocci kann die diesjährige Abschlussausstellung realisiert werden.
Unser Medienpartner: @pib.photographyinberlin
Gerd Waliszewski
Between the Sirens
Das Langzeitprojekt „Between the Sirens“ befasst sich mit dem Leben junger Menschen in der Ukraine, die sich in ihrem vom Krieg zerrissenen Land zurechtfinden müssen. Ihr Alltag ist geprägt von Raketenangriffen und Luftalarmsirenen. Die Arbeit zeichnet das Porträt einer Generation, die sich täglich mit der Zerbrechlichkeit des Lebens und ihres Zuhauses zurechtfinden muss.
Jahrgang Neunzehn der Ostkreuzschule für Fotografie
und Absolvent*innen der Kunsthochschule Weißensee
Gute Gesellschaft
Abschlussausstellung
18. Juli - 27. Juli 2025
Vernissage: 18. Juli 2025, 18 Uhr
Wilhelm Studios
Kopenhagener Straße 60-68,
13407 Berlin
Alle Bilder @gerdwaliszewski
Dank des Sponsorings der Flächen von den @wilhelmstudios und @bocci kann die diesjährige Abschlussausstellung realisiert werden.
Unser Medienpartner: @pib.photographyinberlin
Technology doesn’t replace human touch. It redefines it. Through the dance, Yan and Vika give us a glimpse into a dreamlike space where human connection meets technology in its most poetic form.
Photo @gerdwaliszewski
Special thanks for outfits to @iamriotdivision & @nugastudio_
1 DAY AWAY: Please join us for the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund’s Awards Ceremony on April 8th at 10:00 AM EDT to see this year’s recipients present their projects. This free online event is open for all to attend. See projects like “Between the Sirens” by Gerd Waliszewski, 2024 W. Eugene Smith Student Grant Recipient.
“Between the Sirens explores the lives of young Ukrainians navigating the harsh realities of a country torn by war. Amid the backdrop of war, they attempt to lead normal lives, but their routines are frequently interrupted by air raid sirens and missile threats. This project offers a poignant, up-to-date portrayal of a generation grappling with the fragility of both life and home.
The teenage and young adult years are inherently formative, marked by hopes, uncertainties, and personal growth. For young Ukrainians, these experiences have been profoundly shaken since February 24, 2022, when war erupted, shattering the already few constants in a young persons’ life. This project seeks to understand how they are adapting and forging their paths under these extraordinary circumstances.”
To attend the webinar on Tuesday April 8, 10:00 AM EDT, please click the link in bio or join this Zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/96052737213
Image by Gerd Waliszewski, 2024 W. Eugene Smith Student Grant Recipient. @gerdwaliszewski
some of my photos from Kyiv published in the current issue of @freitag to accompany the reading sample of the new book by @dmitrij_kapitelman .
thank you for this opportunity @annkristinziegler
