Life Amidst War by Maranie Staab

n Odesa, Ukraine a quiet defian...n the “Pearl by the Sea."

n Odesa, Ukraine a quiet defiance permeates as residents remain despite and in spite of the proximity of war. Life in the city is a visual juxtaposition. While many have left others have adapted their daily lives to a 9PM curfew, a heavy military presence, roadblocks and closures and a palpable tension as everyone waits to see if Russia will further threaten the “Pearl by the Sea."

Derhachi Ukraine

Kharkiv Ukraine

In Derhachi, Ukraine, a town no...2022 invasion. Derhachi Ukraine

In Derhachi, Ukraine, a town north of Kharkiv and near the Russian border, more than 60 people live in a large, concrete and windowless space. Previously the basement of an office building, it was quickly converted to a bunker following Russia’s February 24, 2022 invasion. Derhachi Ukraine

“Everyone has their own persona... but it is one story of many”.

“Everyone has their own personal grief from this war. Ours is a story of horror but it is one story of many”. For more than four months Danele, his wife Olga and her elderly parents have lived underground in a small, concrete room in the village of Chuhuiv, Ukraine. On the wall are rosary beads and an outdated calendar; the floor is covered with makeshift beds constructed of wooden pallets, cardboard boxes and threadbare blankets.  As Olga speaks she busies herself stirring a pot of boiling potatoes. Her husband keeps his eyes on the floor while her father stares ahead, his gaze unfocused. In March, less than two weeks after Russia invaded, the group of four piled into their sole vehicle. Under the threat of constant shelling they had made the decision to flee.  But within a few miles the vehicle was hit by shrapnel. As Olga continues to speak the men hold up pictures of their injuries. “My husband and father were bleeding but we continued to drive until we had to a stop — it was a Russian checkpoint. Soldiers forced the people in front of us out of their cars and shot them. We watched them do this to one, two, three vehicles and then they came for us.”   Standing in the bunker Olga speaks with tears in her red, bloodshot eyes. But that day, she describes her reaction as numb. “When the soldier approached and put the gun to my head I didn’t act hysterical. I didn’t show any emotions.” Forced to exit the car Olga’s mother fell to her knees and begged the young soldier to consider his own mother, his own father. “They are already injured, can’t you see. Just let us go to the hospital. Think of your own mother and do this one good thing for us.” The soldier allowed them to pass. “I don’t know why they listened to her words but we are alive today because of her plea. We went to the hospital and then came here. Everyone has their own personal grief from this war. Ours is a story of horror but it is one story of many”.

Long of people holding large wa...iv's primary water lines.

Long of people holding large water bottles, barrels and tanks are seen daily throughout Mykolayiv, Ukraine A city-wide water crisis has gripped the city since early April when a Russian airstrike destroyed Mykolayiv's primary water lines.

Each day 1500 meals are deliver...d here for more than 20 years.

Each day 1500 meals are delivered to Odessa Regional Medical Center for Mental Health--750 for lunch and 750 for dinner. The menu on this day was chicken soup with noodles and rice with vegetables. Most of the nurses at the hospital have worked here for more than 20 years.

Kharkiv Ukraine

“Everyone has their own personal grief from this war. Ours is a story of horror but it is one story of many”. For more than four months Danele, his wife Olga and her elderly parents have lived underground in a small, concrete room in the village of Chuhuiv, Ukraine. On the wall are rosary beads and an outdated calendar; the floor is covered with makeshift beds constructed of wooden pallets, cardboard boxes and threadbare blankets.  As Olga speaks she busies herself stirring a pot of boiling potatoes. Her husband keeps his eyes on the floor while her father stares ahead, his gaze unfocused. In March, less than two weeks after Russia invaded, the group of four piled into their sole vehicle. Under the threat of constant shelling they had made the decision to flee.  But within a few miles the vehicle was hit by shrapnel. As Olga continues to speak the men hold up pictures of their injuries. “My husband and father were bleeding but we continued to drive until we had to a stop — it was a Russian checkpoint. Soldiers forced the people in front of us out of their cars and shot them. We watched them do this to one, two, three vehicles and then they came for us.”   Standing in the bunker Olga speaks with tears in her red, bloodshot eyes. But that day, she describes her reaction as numb. “When the soldier approached and put the gun to my head I didn’t act hysterical. I didn’t show any emotions.” Forced to exit the car Olga’s mother fell to her knees and begged the young soldier to consider his own mother, his own father. “They are already injured, can’t you see. Just let us go to the hospital. Think of your own mother and do this one good thing for us.” The soldier allowed them to pass. “I don’t know why they listened to her words but we are alive today because of her plea. We went to the hospital and then came here. Everyone has their own personal grief from this war. Ours is a story of horror but it is one story of many”.

Chuhuiv Ukraine

Derhachi Ukraine

Kharkiv Ukraine

Derhachi Ukraine

Chuhuiv Ukraine

Sveta, 10 Her tiny arms clutched a knock-off Raggedy Ann doll as she watched volunteers set several bags of dried goods on the concrete floor. the walls Those who remain in Dergachi few other options; their homes have been bombed, leaving them damaged or destroyed. The streets are not safe, especially after dark. Most do not have the means to flee and many so feel connected to their lands and home they resist the pleas from loved one to leave. By day, residents of the basement spend time above ground tending to gardens, some look for work and others simply relish time outside of the dark, windowless concrete cellar that has been their home for months. “Everyday the missiles go in such kind of places as kindergartens, houses just for civilians and humanitarian aid center. There are no military objects nearby.” In those situations it's importna to maintain a smile, to fight the tears I thought of childhood, the theft of innocence and wondered how many of these children would find a way to In a basement bunker in Chuhuiv, Ukraine a concrete windowless room has been dedicated as a children’s space and contains a handful of boardgames, stuffed animals and other well-loved toys. The walls are decorated with crayon drawings, the girls take turns doing each other’s hair and one boy uses a laptop to play. For more than four months Ivan, Misha, Sveta, Polina, Anya, and Aliona have lived primarily underground, exiting the space only for brief periods during the relative safety of the daylight. Located southeast of Kharkiv city Chuhuiv has experienced little reprieve from Russian shelling. Would Svete survive the war? Today marks the 204th day of Russia's war in Ukraine. The emaciated rodent The basement had makeshift rooms; bedsheets hung with rope. On the other side of the sheet Sveta's brother played with XXX When we emerged into the harsh daylight it was difficult to comprehend (make sense of ?) the reality below our feet. I could hear bird Chuhuiv Ukraine

Сергіївка Ukraine

Alexi, 21 Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Ukraine

Neighbors dig through photo alb...June 29, 2022. Mykolaiv Ukraine

Neighbors dig through photo albums recovered in the debris of an apartment building hit by a Russian missile on June 29, 2022. Mykolaiv Ukraine

A neighbor shares images of a y..., 2022 attack. Mykolaiv Ukraine

A neighbor shares images of a young boys whose grandmother remains hospitalized following the June 29, 2022 attack. Mykolaiv Ukraine

“Everyone has their own persona...tory of many”. Derhachi Ukraine

“Everyone has their own personal grief from this war. Ours is a story of horror but it is one story of many”. For more than four months Danele, his wife Olga and her elderly parents have lived underground in a small, concrete room in the village of Chuhuiv, Ukraine. On the wall are rosary beads and an outdated calendar; the floor is covered with makeshift beds constructed of wooden pallets, cardboard boxes and threadbare blankets.  As Olga speaks she busies herself stirring a pot of boiling potatoes. Her husband keeps his eyes on the floor while her father stares ahead, his gaze unfocused. In March, less than two weeks after Russia invaded, the group of four piled into their sole vehicle. Under the threat of constant shelling they had made the decision to flee.  But within a few miles the vehicle was hit by shrapnel. As Olga continues to speak the men hold up pictures of their injuries. “My husband and father were bleeding but we continued to drive until we had to a stop — it was a Russian checkpoint. Soldiers forced the people in front of us out of their cars and shot them. We watched them do this to one, two, three vehicles and then they came for us.”   Standing in the bunker Olga speaks with tears in her red, bloodshot eyes. But that day, she describes her reaction as numb. “When the soldier approached and put the gun to my head I didn’t act hysterical. I didn’t show any emotions.” Forced to exit the car Olga’s mother fell to her knees and begged the young soldier to consider his own mother, his own father. “They are already injured, can’t you see. Just let us go to the hospital. Think of your own mother and do this one good thing for us.” The soldier allowed them to pass. “I don’t know why they listened to her words but we are alive today because of her plea. We went to the hospital and then came here. Everyone has their own personal grief from this war. Ours is a story of horror but it is one story of many”. Derhachi Ukraine

Maranie Staab

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