Sitara Thalia Ambrosio

Photojournalist and Visual Storyteller.

Fragile as Glass: LGBTQ+ people in the Russian invasion against Ukraine.

Location: Hanover

Nationality: german

Biography: Sitara Thalia Ambrosio is a german Photojournalist and Visual Storyteller. Ambrosio works internationally focusing on gender issues, migration, human rights violations, EU borders and conflicts. She aims to create thought-provoking visuals,... MORE

Focus: Photojournalist, Journalist, Politics, Environment, Documentary, Multimedia, News, Photography, Foreign, International News, Freelance, Humanitarian, Life, Impact, Assignments, Human Rights, Multimedia Journalist, Magazine, Editorial, Publications, Newspapers, Storyteller, Climate, News Reporter, Visual Editor, Political Journalism, Digital Journalism, Print Journalism, War, Environmental Stories, International Stories, Digital Media, Portrait Photography, Social Justice, Reportage, Visual Journalist, Visual Storyteller

Yehor H. (left), 20, and his bo...studies last year. Lviv Ukraine

Yehor H. (left), 20, and his boyfriend Andrew (right), 24, normally live in Kyiv, but fled to Lviv in western Ukraine in the first weeks of the Russian invasion. Andrew is currently writing his doctoral thesis in film directing. Yehor just started the same studies last year. Lviv Ukraine

Snow-covered tank barriers on t...s outside of Kyiv. Kyiv Ukraine

Snow-covered tank barriers on the Euromaidan in Kyiv. At the beginning of March 2022, they were used to protect the city from a possible invasion by the Russian army. But the Russian army only made it as far as the suburbs outside of Kyiv. Kyiv Ukraine

Yehor H. is sitting on the bed ...is very difficult. Kyiv Ukraine

Yehor H. is sitting on the bed next to his friend Arkedii. For the last few weeks, Yehor H. has been living here in Arkedii's apartment. After coming back to the capital with his boyfriend Andrew in summer, their relationship has not always been easy. Living together didn't work anymore and Yehor H. had to move out. Finding a place to live during the ongoing war is very difficult. Kyiv Ukraine

After months of searching, Yeho...hborhoods in Kyiv. Kyiv Ukraine

After months of searching, Yehor H. finally found a room in a shared apartment in the beginning of December. The view from the balcony of the apartment blocks in front of his new home. It is one of his favorite neighborhoods in Kyiv. Kyiv Ukraine

Portrait of Yehor H. (20). He i...;quot; Yehor says. Kyiv Ukraine

Portrait of Yehor H. (20). He is studying film directing in Kyiv. He was born and raised in the south of Ukraine, in the city of Nikopol. "I'm more worried about being killed by a Russian missile than being judged for kissing my boyfriend," he says. It's not that he kisses his boyfriend on the street, he says, but he doesn't care now if someone doesn't approve of the way he loves. "I don't know if it's related to the fact that I'm gay, but during the war I feel like I'm not manly enough: I should be a manly man who protects his family and friends - but I'm not," Yehor says. Kyiv Ukraine

Fragile as Glass: LGBTQ+ people in the Russian invasion against Ukraine.

Yehor's grandmother Liu... everyday life. Nikopol Ukraine

Yehor's grandmother Liubov H. (70) holds a picture, which shows Yehor and his family. Yehor also grew up here in this apartment in Nikopol. During his time looking for an apartment, he would have liked to come here to rest and find time for himself. But the city is located near the front, daily air raids are part of everyday life. Nikopol Ukraine

Liubov H. (70) and her husband ...such an attack. Nikopol Ukraine

Liubov H. (70) and her husband Myhail (69) are standing on their balcony on the top floor of the house. It is a building from the Soviet Union. From here they can look at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. On March 2, 2022, the International Atomic Energy Agency disseminated Russian news that the nuclear power plant had been occupied by Russian troops in the course of the invasion of Ukraine. Since then, the Russian army has used the site to launch daily air strikes to the west. The windows of the couple's balcony have already been severely damaged by such an attack. Nikopol Ukraine

Nikopol is shelled on a daily b...afford to flee. Nikopol Ukraine

Nikopol is shelled on a daily basis. Holes caused by rockets or splinters characterize the cityscape. Many of the former inhabitants of Nikopol have left the city a long time ago. Those who remain are mostly elderly people or cannot afford to flee. Nikopol Ukraine

The basement of the house where...nd every night. Nikopol Ukraine

The basement of the house where Yehor H. grew up. These days it serves his grandparents as a place to sleep. Since a splinter broke the windows of the balcony, they no longer dare to spend the night in their bedroom. Yehor worries about them every day and every night. Nikopol Ukraine

For several weeks, Russia has b...thout electricity. Lviv Ukraine

For several weeks, Russia has been attacking vital infrastructure such as energy suppliers with air strikes. The result is constant power outages throughout most of the country. Sasha N. is also feeling the effects in western Ukraine. In a small grocery supermarket in Lviv, he buys fruits and vegetables while the power is completely out for several hours. Having cash is particularly important in these times, as many card readers do not work without electricity. Lviv Ukraine

Sasha N. (22) studies internati...mp;quot;, he says. Lviv Ukraine

Sasha N. (22) studies international relations in Lviv. He works as an administrative assistant in the city's youth center. He has been together with his boyfriend for eight months. "It was difficult and very unexpected that I had a relationship during the war, but we were able to get through some of the difficult moments that the war brought", he says. Lviv Ukraine

Sasha N. met his boyfriend Roma...your R.” Lviv Ukraine

Sasha N. met his boyfriend Roman in the first weeks of the war. Sasha always carries a love letter from that time in his cell phone case. The two give each other support in times of war. Translation of the letter: Translation of the letter: “Thank you for these 2 months! They flew by very quickly, but I am glad that we are together. On our first dates, I noted to myself that you like glazed curds. (together with the letter, he gave them to me, my dear ones with a coconut) I also wrote down in my notes that along with that you like formal style suits and adore coffee. Thank you for letting me torture you - your R.” Lviv Ukraine

Sasha N. and his boyfriend Roma...exual orientation. Lviv Ukraine

Sasha N. and his boyfriend Roman lie together in bed and cuddle. Sasha does not always show his love openly. Out of fear of hostility, he is careful talking about his sexual orientation. Lviv Ukraine

Sasha N. lives together with hi... out of necessity. Lviv Ukraine

Sasha N. lives together with his best friend, also named Sasha. Their apartment is located on the outskirts of Lviv. The apartments there are more affordable for young people. Since many refugees from the east come to the west of the country, some landlords here in Lviv raise the rent significantly to make a business out of necessity. Lviv Ukraine

Sasha N. celebrates her birthda...n: How to move on? Lviv Ukraine

Sasha N. celebrates her birthday together with her roommates in the shared apartment. She turns 21 years old. The group of friends ordered sushi and bought alcohol. But even on this evening, conversations keep turning to the war and the question: How to move on? Lviv Ukraine

Sasha N. and her friend Olena a...work here in Lviv. Lviv Ukraine

Sasha N. and her friend Olena are lying in each other's arms on Sasha's bed. The two have known each other for many years and are best friends. Olena is currently studying in Germany, while Sasha continues to work here in Lviv. Lviv Ukraine

On Sasha N.'s shelf nex...e time before war. Lviv Ukraine

On Sasha N.'s shelf next to her bed are Polaroid photos from the time before war. Lviv Ukraine

Sasha N. (21) is studying physi...p;quot;, she says. Lviv Ukraine

Sasha N. (21) is studying physiotherapy. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, she has been working in a hospital to help soldiers coming from war zones. "I am afraid that this war has not affected us as much as we wanted. There are still people who prefer to speak Russian. The same applies to the acceptance of LGBTQ+ people: We are a developed democratic country and we need to move forward with this. We don’t only need to demand some laws, but also enforce them in parliament. We need to teach people that gays, lesbians, bisexuals and trans people are not ill. We have to show that we are normal people, people with problems or successes", she says. Lviv Ukraine

A sunset in front of the kitche...lee from the East. Lviv Ukraine

A sunset in front of the kitchen window of Yeva Lotta Y.'s apartment. At the beginning of the Russian invasion in March, she had housed acquaintances and friends in the apartment who had to flee from the East. Lviv Ukraine

Yeva Lotta Y. stands outside on...rself in this way. Lviv Ukraine

Yeva Lotta Y. stands outside one of her favorite cafés in Lviv and smokes. The café is a place for art and always has changing exhibitions in their rooms. Thanks to a power generator, the café usually has electricity even during blackouts. Yeva Lotta emphasizes that art is very important to her because she can express herself in this way. Lviv Ukraine

A friend stung Yeva-Lotta a tat...erritorial waters. Lviv Ukraine

A friend stung Yeva-Lotta a tattoo the first weeks of the war. Translated, it says something like "Russian war ship go and fuck yourself." The phrase is well known in Ukraine because it was the final message sent to the Russian missile cruiser Moskva by Border Guard Roman Hrybov on February 24, 2022, during the Russian attack on Snake Island in Ukrainian territorial waters. Lviv Ukraine

Portrait of Yeva Lotta Y. (19) ...mp;quot;, she says Lviv Ukraine

Portrait of Yeva Lotta Y. (19) Together with her friends, she lives in a shared apartment in Lviv. She calls herself a feminist and is interested in gender-political issues. "Putin's occupation of our territories would mean not only the loss of the country, but also of everything we have as a nation: first and most of all, our freedom," she says. "I see no reason to continue living without my freedom, as many Russians do. I don't want anyone to make decisions for me; I want to do that myself. And I want to have enough freedom to fight for the things that are important to me", she says Lviv Ukraine

Yeva Lotta Y. and her friend Na... and try to relax. Lviv Ukraine

Yeva Lotta Y. and her friend Nastya, whom she knows from her studies, together in a bar in Lviv in the evening. Here they exchange their thoughts and try to relax. Lviv Ukraine

In large parts of the country s... hospital in Lviv. Lviv Ukraine

In large parts of the country sandbags protect buildings from splinters of possible missile impacts. This is also the case in front of the children's hospital in Lviv. Lviv Ukraine

Edward R. puts on makeup in his flat in Kyiv. Kyiv Ukraine

Portrait of non binary Edward R...uot;, Edward says. Kyiv Ukraine

Portrait of non binary Edward R (37). Edward lives in the capital and works as an activist at Kyiv Pride. Actually, they would like to continue with his transition, but hormones can become unattainable at any time in the war situation. "When you can die on any day, it is important to have valid documents. This is the main problem for me as a trans person in this war", Edward says. Kyiv Ukraine

Edward's tattoos are ve...ed question marks. Kyiv Ukraine

Edward's tattoos are very important. The question mark on they wrist stands for the name, which Edward chose for himself after coming out. The mark comes from the character "The Riddler" in a Batman movie, whose outward identifying feature is a green costume covered with randomly arranged question marks. Kyiv Ukraine

Edward R. is a project assistan...groups is too big. Kyiv Ukraine

Edward R. is a project assistant at the Kyiv Pride organization. Here they organizes a movie night for the community. The film evening is important for many young queer people, not only to be able to switch off, but also to exchange experiences from their everyday lives. The premises of Kyiv Pride are not open to the public, the fear of attacks from homophobic and right-wing individuals or groups is too big. Kyiv Ukraine

Residential neighborhoods in Ky...covered with snow. Kyiv Ukraine

Residential neighborhoods in Kyiv are covered with snow. Kyiv Ukraine

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Thumbnail of Yehor H. (left), 20, and his boy_ studies last year. Lviv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Snow-covered tank barriers on th_bs outside of Kyiv. Kyiv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Yehor H. is sitting on the bed n_ is very difficult. Kyiv Ukraine

Thumbnail of After months of searching, Yehor_ghborhoods in Kyiv. Kyiv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Portrait of Yehor H. (20). He is_p;quot; Yehor says. Kyiv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Fragile as Glass: LGBTQ+ people in the Russian invasion against Ukraine.

Thumbnail of Yehor's grandmother Liub_f everyday life. Nikopol Ukraine

Thumbnail of Liubov H. (70) and her husband M_ such an attack. Nikopol Ukraine

Thumbnail of Nikopol is shelled on a daily ba_ afford to flee. Nikopol Ukraine

Thumbnail of The basement of the house where _and every night. Nikopol Ukraine

Thumbnail of For several weeks, Russia has be_ithout electricity. Lviv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Sasha N. (22) studies internatio_amp;quot;, he says. Lviv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Sasha N. met his boyfriend Roman_ your R.” Lviv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Sasha N. and his boyfriend Roman_sexual orientation. Lviv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Sasha N. lives together with his_s out of necessity. Lviv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Sasha N. celebrates her birthday_on: How to move on? Lviv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Sasha N. and her friend Olena ar_ work here in Lviv. Lviv Ukraine

Thumbnail of On Sasha N.'s shelf next_he time before war. Lviv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Sasha N. (21) is studying physio_mp;quot;, she says. Lviv Ukraine

Thumbnail of A sunset in front of the kitchen_flee from the East. Lviv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Yeva Lotta Y. stands outside one_erself in this way. Lviv Ukraine

Thumbnail of A friend stung Yeva-Lotta a tatt_territorial waters. Lviv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Portrait of Yeva Lotta Y. (19) T_amp;quot;, she says Lviv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Yeva Lotta Y. and her friend Nas_s and try to relax. Lviv Ukraine

Thumbnail of In large parts of the country sa_s hospital in Lviv. Lviv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Edward R. puts on makeup in his flat in Kyiv. Kyiv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Portrait of non binary Edward R _quot;, Edward says. Kyiv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Edward's tattoos are ver_ged question marks. Kyiv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Edward R. is a project assistant_ groups is too big. Kyiv Ukraine

Thumbnail of Residential neighborhoods in Kyi_ covered with snow. Kyiv Ukraine

Editors Only Story

Fragile as Glass: LGBTQ+ people in the Russian invasion against Ukraine.

Updated Jan 2023

Topics Journalism, Photography, Sexuality, War, War and its effects, Womens Rights, Youth

In Ukraine, the LGBTIQ*-community has recently been more visible than ever. This is threatened, since the Russian army started invading in February 2022. In the Russian Federation there is a homophobic and transphobic social climate. According to US officials, there is a list of LGBTQ*-activists to be arrested circulating amongst Russian troops. Therefore several queer Ukranians go to war despite homophobic incidents in the army. Others try to continue their political work or simply cope with life in the country at war. Various young queer Ukrainians say their sexuality now plays a lesser role.

"I worry more about getting killed by a Russian rocket, than being judged for kissing my boyfriend", Yehor (20) says. On the first days of the invasion the film student fled from Kyiv to Lviv, in the west of the country. Yehor’s family lives on the front line in Nikopol. Besides leaving home, the war affects his libido, he says. Relationships though become more important and intense, he adds. After six months, he moved back to Kyiv with his boyfriend. Following a dispute, Yehor crashes at friends for months, until he finds an affordable flat. The ongoing war is palpable in the city. Repeatedly missiles strike. Electricity is scarce and power cuts are supposed to uphold the functionality of the highly damaged system. Many flats are cold, as heaters use electric power.

Sasha (21), Yeva-Lotta (19) and Sasha (22) from Lviv share the burden. Just 80 kilometers from the European border the power supply has long been unreliable. Yeva-Lotta says she is mostly angry. Sasha reports she feels much older and adultish now, but psychologically suffers from the war. Air alarms, lack of electricity and dark shelters stress her out, she says. She is a physiotherapist and treats soldiers coming from the front. The ongoing war has shown the three how precious each day and time with the people they love is, they say.

Not everyone has an option to find a shelter. Therefore the NGO KyivPride that advocates for queer peoples’ rights, runs a safe space in the capital. Non binary Edward Reese (37) is a project assistant at KyivPride. The war had a direct influence on Reese’s plans for transition. Top surgery was planned in Kyiv in March. Upon the invasion Reese fled to Denmark and had the surgery in Malmo, Sweden, in May. In October, Reese returned to Kyiv. "When you might die every day, it's important to have valid documents. It's the main issue for me being trans in this war", Reese says, wishing to continue with the transition. Reese hesitates about starting hormone therapy, because the hormones could become inaccessible at any time. The transition is once again at stake.

“Fragile as glass” is a long-term photographic essay following the fates of different queer realities in Ukraine.

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