Spring 2014. Ukraine has not yet recovered from the deaths on the Maidan and the annexation of Crimea, as Russia has already swung its south and east. In April, she provoked Kharkiv, Odessa, Donetsk and Luhansk regions. This is how the war began, which continues today — in 2025. War without declaration, but already with weapons in hand. Russia boldly and openly entered the Donbas — under the guise of “referendums”, “people's republics” and “militias”. In some cities, she was repulsed — Kharkiv and Odessa survived. Others were unable to contain the invasion. Donetsk and part of the region were captured. Documentary photographer Anatoly Stepanov was at the center of events. He saw with his own eyes how the scenario of a hybrid invasion unfolded: rallies, seizure of administrative buildings, the appearance of armed “volunteers” from Russia, the first killed. In April 2014, he filmed the funeral of a pro-Ukrainian deputy in Horlivka, stood near the captured district department in Slavyansk, recorded the resistance in Donetsk, Mariupol and the aftermath of the tragedy in Odessa on the morning of May 3 near the burned Trade Union House.

UAPP in partnership with Kyiv Independent continues its monthly column — a selection of key photographs that most accurately convey the events, mood and challenges of the next month of full-scale war.

Ukrainian photographer Olga Ivashchenko explained why she spends much more time with people than is necessary for high-quality photography, and why photos from the war have deeper meanings than meets the eye.

This week, Russia continued its missile and drone terror against Ukrainian cities. Hundreds of Shahed-type UAVs and dozens of tactical missiles were launched every day — from the well-known Iskanders to the latest Grom-1 models. The targets of the attacks were not military facilities, but residential areas, hospitals, schools, metro stations, train stations, and even passenger trains. Between June 23 and 28 alone, dozens of people were killed and hundreds wounded, including children. The most massive strikes hit Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa. These events once again refute any false claims by the Kremlin about “precision strikes.” In reality, the goal remains the same — to intimidate, destroy, and leave Ukrainian cities deserted.

The return of servicemen from Russian captivity is a positive event, which the Ukrainian and Russian delegations were able to agree on at the talks. However, not a single defender from “Azov” was given by Russia. The Kremlin continues to hold Azov prisoners as their prey. The Kremlin is trying in every possible way to break Ukrainian resistance, because the topic of the return of captured Azov is a powerful lever for manipulating emotions, a painful topic. Because they are the ones who have been waiting for a very long time in Ukrainian families.