Jens Alstrup
photojournalist
The very centre of the city is Hotel Ukraine. I am almost the only guest here. The US has advised all its citizens to leave the country.
Kyiv, 24 August 2022. Photo by Jens Alstrup, exclusively for Novaya Gazeta. Europe
The centre of the city is most at risk. This is where I have my room at the 14th floor. We had 7 air sirens today, but nothing has been seen or heard.
Maidan Nezalezhnost. Kyiv, 24 August 2022. Photo: Jens Alstrup, exclusively for Novaya Gazeta. Europe
The mood is contradictive. The morale is high. Ukraine has done wonders on the battlefield.
Ukraine's Independence Monument. Kyiv, 24 August 2022. Photo: Jens Alstrup, exclusively for Novaya Gazeta. Europe
But so is the fear. What can the Russians do?
Burnt Russian military equipment on Khreshchatyk, where Putin was going to hold a parade. Kyiv, 24 August 2022. Photo by Jens Alstrup, exclusively for Novaya Gazeta. Europe
The much talking in Moscow about “escalation” of the war, makes people worry. What can that be? More missiles? Maybe directly at the parade of beaten Russian armor? Or maybe even the unmentionable weapons?
Burnt Russian military equipment on Khreshchatyk, where Putin was going to hold a parade. Kyiv, 24 August 2022. Photo by Jens Alstrup, exclusively for Novaya Gazeta. Europe
In spite of all the fear, the happiness cannot be hidden.
Burnt Russian military equipment on Khreshchatyk, where Putin was going to hold a parade. Kyiv, 24 August 2022. Photo by Jens Alstrup, exclusively for Novaya Gazeta. Europe
Ukraine is still here. People are still free.
Alley of the Heavenly Hundred — those who died on the Maidan during the Revolution of Dignity in 2014. Kyiv, 24 August 2022. Photo by Jens Alstrup, exclusively for Novaya Gazeta. Europe
They may for now have been lost some more territory outside Bakhmut, but the Russian Army’s ability to be in the offensive, has been severely limited by the new wonder weapons from America. Himars is the darling of all now. There is still talk about the great counter offensive in the autumn.
Alley of the Heavenly Hundred. Kyiv, 24 August 2022. Photo by Jens Alstrup, exclusively for Novaya Gazeta. Europe
It is a fact that Ukraine was not run over in 3 days. All the worries about what may come against them today or tomorrow, cannot hide the optimism caused by the fact: “We are still here”.
Khreshchatyk, Kyiv, 24 August 2022. Photo by Jens Alstrup, exclusively for Novaya Gazeta. Europe
And that is how I experienced the celebration that really wasn’t here because of concerns of safety.
Khreshchatyk, Kyiv, 24 August 2022. Photo by Jens Alstrup, exclusively for Novaya Gazeta. Europe
Even McDonald’s should reopen very soon. How much more can life be put back to normal?
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