Life in Donbas Amid Escalating Tensions in February 2022

Wed, 06 May 2026 23:04:00 +0200

In February 2022, residents of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine were preparing for war under uncertain conditions. Four documentary photographers reported for Bird in Flight on how life changed dramatically over just one week. Ukrainian freelance photographer Yevhen Malolietka described ongoing artillery fire hitting residential areas, forcing roughly a third of homes to stand empty. Many locals feared enduring the stress again, with some seeking refuge in basements as evacuation options were limited. Maksym Levin documented nearly abandoned villages like Taramchuk, where artillery struck despite the absence of military forces, highlighting residents’ bewilderment and attempts to carry on with daily life. Military photographer Anatoliy Stepanov reported intensive shelling near frontlines, with Ukrainian forces positioned behind towns and soldiers enduring grueling conditions. Sergey Korovayny described journalists moving from Donbas to Kharkiv due to fears of full-scale conflict af