Defenders

• Prize
  Gold in Press/War
• Photographer
  Jelle Krings, Netherlands

This story captures the plight and sacrifice of Ukrainian soldiers defending their country from a Russian invasion. Although Ukraine's military consists partly of professional soldiers, much of it is made up of reserves, conscripts, and volunteers. Before the full-scale invasion, these people had ‘regular’ lives with ‘regular’ jobs. After February 24th, 2022, they joined voluntarily, or they were mobilized in waves. A new law was recently passed which lowered the minimum age for conscription from 27 to 25 years and many young men now fear being mobilized to fight at the frontlines.