Spending several weeks in Kyiv during that period was a unique experience for me. Regular Russian missile strikes targeted critical infrastructure, leaving the city without electricity, communication, and heating. Blackouts became a part of daily life: power outages followed a schedule or happened unexpectedly, plunging the streets into darkness.
The city was filled with the constant hum of generators — they buzzed near cafés, shops, and apartment entrances. People lined up at charging stations, searched for a working ATM, or tried to find a spot with an internet connection. Traffic lights were off, and cars navigated the chaos on their own.
In the darkness, Kyiv looked different. Neon signs disappeared, apartment windows faded into the night, but sometimes a warm glow of candlelight peeked through heavy curtains. It was a time when the usual city rhythm was replaced by the rhythm of waiting—waiting for light, connection, and moments of silence without sirens.
This photo series is my attempt to capture not only the visible changes but also the atmosphere of that time—fragile, tense, yet filled with resilience.
