Life in Ukraine

You're probably not aware of it—but Ukraine has wrestling. And it’s compelling even for those who’ve never been fans of the genre. We attended one of its spring events—and witnessed a one-of-a-kind spectacle taking place, despite Russia’s war.

For the past two years, war has dictated every part of life in Ukraine—including love. Couples build relationships through fleeting visits, stolen moments, and late-night calls from the trenches. Weddings, once grand celebrations, now happen over video calls, with one partner in a registry office and the other in a combat zone.

This week in Ukraine, Russian airstrikes devastated Odesa and Kherson, killing civilians and destroying homes. Along the eastern front, Ukrainian forces held ground in Pokrovsk, Toretsk, and Kupyansk amid heavy fighting. As the war grinds on, soldiers return home as veterans, medics work to stabilize the wounded, and young Ukrainians march through Kyiv — all captured in powerful images.

Thousands of Ukrainians trapped in Russian-occupied regions risk their lives on dangerous journeys through heavily guarded Russian checkpoints, trying to reach safety and return to Ukraine. This is the reality of escaping Russian control, torture, and constant surveillance.

In Kharkiv, a city battered by relentless Russian attacks, artists, curators, and performers refuse to leave their home. They won’t let the war silence them. Their studios double as bomb shelters, their exhibitions continue even amid blackouts, and their theaters adapt to missile alerts. 

In war, many moments become crossroads—between staying and leaving, fighting and falling, survival and sacrifice. A husband and wife share a final embrace before she evacuates. Former prisoners take up arms to defend Ukraine. A father carries on his sons’ legacy. And in Washington, a meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy signals a shifting diplomatic landscape. These photos capture the resilience, tension, and evolving alliances shaping Ukraine’s fight for survival.