Silver / 2024 / Press / People/Personality

• Prize
  Silver in Press/People/Personality
• Photographer
  Zoya Shu, Ukraine
• Website
  http://www.zoyashu.info
• Instagram
  @zoyashu

Each person is a universe. Every life is priceless.

The photographs of soldiers of the 24th Assault Battalion "Aydar" were taken in the spring of 2024 around Chasiv Yar, Ukraine. These individuals embody a myriad of diverse experiences and a concentration of life. Among them are a lavender field owner, a foreman, an artist, a tradesman, a farmer — people from various walks of life and professions, now defending their country, which faces the challenge of survival.
Everyone dreams of victory, the end of the war, and returning to their families to live a peaceful life with their loved ones.

I am a seasoned photojournalist with a Master's in International Relations from Kyiv International University. Starting as a freelance reporter, I covered regional events with a focus on the human element. Since 2019, I've specialized in documentary photography, highlighting the aftermath of war and its impact on humanity. I continually refine my skills through extensive photography education.
In 2022 I became a refugee and it made an impact on my photography