Serhii Melnychenko

At the beginning of 2025, Serhii Melnychenko felt an even stronger need to convey the truth and realities of the war. However, time constraints did not allow him to make frequent trips to the front lines. He asked himself: does he really have to be there in person to document this?

He reached out to the photography company FOTOVRAMCI and proposed sending disposable film cameras to Ukrainian soldiers across different fronts so they could capture their own lives, routines, and work. The company supported the idea and provided twenty-five cameras, launching the project in February 2025.

Along with the cameras, each participant was asked to return a small personal artifact and a handwritten letter. The project became more than a photographic record—it evolved into a collection of personal experiences, struggles, and memories. Together images, objects, and texts form an intimate anthology of those defending Ukraine.

For the artist, the project is deeply personal as it builds direct human connections with its participants and preserves their voices. It is crucial to present these stories internationally to ensure that the lived realities of the war are seen, understood and remembered.