Joint Ukrinform-PAP photo exhibition on war in Ukraine opens in Warsaw

The exhibition, which will run for two weeks, features 20 photographs by Ukrinform and PAP photojournalists, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

In particular, the exhibition presents 12 photographs by Ukrinform photojournalists, including Dmytro Smolienko, Kyrylo Chubotin, Yevhen Kotenko, Volodymyr Tarasov, Ruslan Kaniuka, and Viacheslav Madiievskyi.

While opening the photo exhibition, Ukrinform's Deputy Director General Nataliia Kostina stressed that such photographs "almost always evoke pain."

"Why? Because their subject is not beauty, but truth. A truth that evokes emotions that cannot always be conveyed in words, including in news agency reports. Here, we see Russian missile and drone strikes in Kyiv, and in frontline regions – glide bomb strikes on civilian homes, a children's hospital, a bus stop, a church," Kostina said.

She added that photography documents the history of an unbroken people, capturing their resistance despite suffering and the horrors of war. She thanked international colleagues, particularly Polish photojournalists, who help Ukrainians document this grim reality and show it to the world.

Kostina also expressed gratitude to the European Parliament Liaison Office in Poland, the PAP news agency, and the Embassy of Ukraine in Poland for their assistance in organizing the exhibition.

PAP Management Board member Pawel Kostrzewa said at the opening that the exhibition was not only art, but also a testament to continued attention and support for Ukraine, as well as a manifestation of Polish resistance to the war in Ukraine.

He noted that the exhibition reflects close cooperation between Ukrinform and PAP, extending thanks to the European Parliament Liaison Office in Poland for helping make the event possible.

The exhibition was organized with the support of the Embassy of Ukraine in Poland.

Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar told the agency that hosting the "Ukraine in Focus" exhibition is a positive step. He stressed the importance of cooperation between news agencies, which makes it possible to better understand the information environment and disinformation threats.

"This exhibition is of very high quality. It shows the work of Ukrinform's photojournalists who document the horrors of war that Ukraine is living through today. It is important that our European partners, including Poland, do not forget that a terrible war continues on their border and, unfortunately, we do not yet see its end. It is important to remind the world that helping Ukraine is the best investment in their own security," Bodnar said.

The exhibition is open free of charge from Monday to Friday, during 09:00-18:00 local time, and on Saturday from 9:00–15:00. After its presentation in Warsaw, the exhibition will be shown in Wroclaw and likely in Brussels and other locations.

The opening also featured a panel discussion on countering disinformation, with participants from Ukrainian, Polish, and Italian news agencies – Ukrinform, PAP, and ANSA – as well as representatives of the European Parliament. Speakers highlighted current information threats and the need for joint efforts to combat disinformation, which is becoming increasingly dangerous for Europe. During the discussion, Ukrinform's Deputy Director General Nataliia Kostina emphasized the importance of cooperation in countering disinformation in Ukrainian-Polish relations, noting that Ukrainian and Polish journalists and fact-checkers can work together to fight this phenomenon.

Photo credit: Yurii Banakhevych / Ukrinform

More of Ukrinform photos are available for purchase here