To take a photo that could stop the war
17 photos of Ukraine resisting russia that you need to see / tribute to Maks Levin
In war, feeling of guilt is constant. You just can’t avoid it.
It’s like burnt milk. Like turmeric stains.
It crawls under your skin, grows inside your bones, spreads its web around you, like a noise on a background that you can barely hear,
but it’s always there:
If you feel this story is important to be read and these photos to be seen - feel free to share it or click the ❤️ so more people can discover it on Substack.
you feel guilty that you are alive
that you have limbs intact
that you are in a safer place
But when one of your people is down - when one of your exceptional people is down -
it’s a different kind of beast.
because now you also need to do more to live more to be more -
for those who can’t anymore
Now, you need to be _ w o r t h y_
This time 2 years ago russian soldiers killed Maks Levin - Ukrainian photo reporter who dreamed to take a photo that’ll stop the war.
His body was found in a forest near Kyiv, Ukraine, with 3 bullets in it: after shooting him, russians fired 2 more.
While reading investigation notes I couldn’t help but wonder: did russians do it out of hate, or fear?
Probably both.
I was disgusted, sure. But wasn’t surprised. You see, russians did it to us a hundred years ago too, when russia Communist russia had executed more than 250 Ukrainian artists , writers, professors, inteligentsia - just because they were Ukrainian .
It became known as “Executed Renaissance” .
Something I’ve read about in school text books as a kid - and thought it’s going to stay there , in text books - and now, here we are.
Bloody deja vu.
It feels that this fight just never ends. It makes me wanna give up.
But I don’t have this luxury.
Thanks to russia, Maks can’t take any new photos anymore. But I can show you those he already took. By listening to what they have to say, by sharing them further -
you can help Maks achieve his dream.
The price will forever be too high.
But we can at least try.
If you feel this story is important to be read and these photos to be seen - feel free to share it or click the ❤️ so more people can discover it on Substack.
Ukrainian soldiers take positions at the airbase in Vasylkiv, Kyiv region, Ukraine, February 27, 2022.
Fourth day of russian full scale invasion of Ukraine
Apartment buildings destroyed by russian attack on the village of Borodianka in Kyiv region, Ukraine on March 2, 2022
State Emergency Service of Ukraine people head to a part of russian missile stuck in the asphalt near Kharkiv, Ukraine, on February 25, 2022.
Second day of russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Destroyed equipment of russian military in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on February 25, 2022.
Second day of russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
A Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman stands in a supermarket in Bucha, near Kyiv, on February 28, 2022.
Fifth day of russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
An apartment building destroyed by russian attack in Borodianka (village near Kyiv) , March 3, 2022. 10 days before Maks is killed by russian soldiers .
A man stands near a burned car near a cultural center in the village of Byshiv , destroyed by russian troops, March 4, 2022. Kyiv region.
9 days till Maks is killed by russian soldiers.
A man carries a dog during the evacuation from Irpin, city near Kyiv, to escape russian attack and occupation , March 9, 2022.
4 days till Maks is killed by russian soldiers .
Ukrainian soldier hides from russian airstrike in the Demydiv area, Kyiv region. March 10, 2022.
In 3 days,
Maks will killed by russian soldiers .
Thank you for your continuous support. Your kind support makes it possible for me to continue sharing stories about Ukraine and let the world know about war russia started against us. If you want to join my effort, you can support my work via buy me a coffee.
Дякую.
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Thank you.
Thank you, Margo, for sharing these moving photos and captions from Maksim Levin. How heartbreaking... both the war and tragedy he caught on film, and the horrific ending of his own life at the hands of Russian terrorists. (Soldiers are disciplined and engage opposing forces, not civilians, news reporters or photographers. So Levin's murderers deserve the label terrorist.) I have shared your post with Maksim's photos n Facebook and given you credit. I applaud you for telling hard and painful truths about the Russian war against Ukraine. Slava Ukraini!
Margo, thank you so much for amplifying Maksim Levin’s work. His work shall live on - and be shared with those who need to know the truth. Photos don’t lie. Maksim’s photos tell the story. Sharing.