Ukrainian Photographer Turns War Wounds Into Works of Art

A new photo project by Ukrainian photographer Marta Syrko captures images of soldiers and civilians wounded during Russia's war on the country. As casualities continue to grow, Syrko says the project focuses on body diversity and body positivity for those who have been maimed during fighting.
Originally published at - www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-wound...
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#russia #ukraine

[@judytran3514]

These men are beautiful, especially the man who lost both legs. He is Michelango"s David. I am sorry for all the suffering the Ukranians have endured. Перемога Україні

[@imaginemetoo]

💙💛☺️🇺🇦🇺🇦✌️

[@RichardTaylor1630]

Their wounds are marks of limitless valor.

[@ellasmommy9278]

This is genius. All of your models are beautiful. Since many people are embarrassed by wounds like that, this will really help them with acceptance. You make the guys look like heroes. You need an art exhibit. Call it the Spirit of Ukraine

[@peterbiesbroek]

Sprit of Ukraïnia would be an excellent name for art exhibition in Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and Chicago....how can we MAKE this HAPPEN....?

[@susanwestern6434]

The people who have suffered such injuries, should not be shamed and ostracised for their physical appearance. As happened in previous wars. They need to have support to find work and feel useful. To feel that they can find partners to love them. Your images do alot to find beauty in their altered bodies. Thank you.

[@U.H8]

♥️♥️♥️👍🏻♥️♥️♥️

[@joyceperez5505]

THATS REALLY BEAUTIFUL WORK..GOD BLESS YOU .

[@U.H8]

❤️‍🔥🤩🙏🏻🤩❤️‍🔥

[@sarac.3259]

Such important work. Behind each injury, pain and torment - and a long road to adjusting, recovering, accepting. Thank you for showing the world these warriors' injuries - whether soldiers or civilians, all are fighting for freedom and truth. _Slava Ukraini!_

[@mattkelly2004]

The suffering from wounds unseen are often just as bad, if not worse then the obvious or visual wounds, God bless all of the Ukrainian wounded warriors and hero's!!!!!

[@Kauppi2]

God bless ALL WOUNDED SOLDIERS Both sides suffering even in Donbass, Luhansk republics

[@1midnightfish]

@@Kauppi2 putin's troops have the choice to end all this and GO HOME - Ukrainians are being murdered and threatened with annihilation on their own land, there is no comparison

[@Pam-hw3gz]

What heart to bring forward the beauty of those who are so brave. ❤

[@just_a_turtle_chad]

When you look at something like this, the apocalypse doesn't sound like a terrifying event, but more like a hopeful relief.

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

The whole world needs to see these photographs so that we never forget the war crimes of the Russian gangsters. Thank you Marta . . . Heroiam Slava!

[@deannasage5491]

Patrick Fitzgerald you are one hundred percent right the world needs to see this to see what the Russians have done to see what corrupt Vladimir Putin has done blessings from Pennsylvania USA

[@Danielv561]

What about war crimes committed by western nations in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Libya etc etc? Slava SS Stepan Bandera

[@-tr0n]

@@Danielv561 what about what about what about.

[@Nomadunlimited]

@@Danielv561 what war crimes?Their own citizens were begging for freedom from slavery and injustice from their rulers.

[@mryouben]

@@Danielv561 Ask ur mother you dirty troll

[@denisedavies5859]

I cried and cried and cried and cried whilst watching this ❤️❤️🇺🇦🇬🇧❤️❤️. Slava Ukraine

[@imaginemetoo]

So so sad 💙💛🇺🇦✌️❤️🇬🇧

[@fh.7287]

Denise, you took side with the real enemy.

[@KatiaMarjaana]

I hope these pictures will be brought to many countries and a lot of people will see them. So impressive and important pictures.

[@U.H8]

🌟🌟🌟🌟👍🏻🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@MegsCarpentry-lovedogs]

It takes a lot of energy, creativity and passion for someone to do this kind of art. Bravo for her. Small steps to change the world for the better. 💙💪🇺🇦. 💝🇨🇦

[@katem.8816]

Beautiful portrayal of magnificent soldiers in their prime who war has cruelly wrought. The photographer captures the human price. She honors them in a loving way. I’m amazed and riveted by these photos…..

[@U.H8]

🤩🌟🤩👍🏻

[@Shibalove9454]

I simply cannot stop crying…What beautiful art this young photographer & her brave models are creating. 🇺🇦Slava Ukraini🇺🇦😥 Thank you for sharing such a meaningful story…🙏🏼🤗❤️

[@lorysutherland5464]

Excellent !! EXCELLENT !! A great project. Thank-You Brave Warriors and Photographer. More Validation of Strength of All Defenders of Ukraine.

[@Alfredratel]

Im at a loss of words for everyone has had great things to say. You are a true inspiration of the World, may your work be recognize and that this will only benefit the Ukrainian people. Slava Slava Slava Ukraine.

[@AJ-Lohinska]

Heroyam Slava 🇺🇦

[@gregsscubavids5128]

And these are “just” the wounds that can be seen.

[@sooz9433]

Bless these brave, determined Ukrainians... what a Courageous undertaking.

[@hanssmitt4716]

Amazing.. beautiful and an excellent form of art. It reminds us how beautiful Human Beings are.. perfect symmetry and balance..harmony in every movement our bodies make. These photos of Marta’s ingenuity are very powerful.. my blessings. I visited Ukraine in 2018.. beautiful country and the most fertile in the world and now it has the most powerful army on the planet.. Glory to Ukraine..!!!🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮😘😘😘 Thank you very much for these pictures…

[@user-hi1zp4ob7g]

You did a good job!!! I think I should have traveled to Ukrain many times before . But I'm sure I will be one of them who will travel to Ukrain which will be independent and blooming💖💙💛💙💛

[@tombeers3489]

Brave soldiers. Brave artist. This shows incredible respect for those who sacrifice so much. We really need to see the horrible results of war on human beings. Maybe... it might actually give us all pause - leaders and those they represent - before we all seek conflict as a solution..

[@deancox3173]

Photos are spectacular. Really illustrate the beauty and individuality of spirit.

[@U.H8]

💙💙💙🙏🏻💛💛💛💫

[@AxelWerner]

Show the people of the world the horrors of war in an artistic way. very very important. people need to understand what Russia did here, AGAIN.

[@jonesie6887]

Beautiful, respectful art. Beautiful people represented in such a way and in a context as they do not appear broken, but strong. They are heroes though would probably not say so themselves. They deserve to hold their heads high and wear their bodies with great pride. Fierce courageous people! Someone once said to me “ don’t be brave, bravery is false and won’t get you far, be courageous, courage is fear walking” this allows a person to acknowledge their emotions and act any way. I see this in the Ukrainian people and it amazes me. Slava Ukraine! 🇺🇦 Heroyam Slava!

[@nikiTricoteuse]

These photos are amazing. It is dreadful to see these wounds, that are the price of war. I hope the people carrying them know that, while their injuries are horrific, they themselves are beautiful. Ukraine is teaching the world not only what courage is but, what genuine love of your country and your people looks like. Slava Ukrayini. Ці фотографії неймовірні. Сумно бачити ці рани, які ціна війни. Я сподіваюся, що люди, які їх носять, знають, що, незважаючи на те, що їхні травми жахливі, самі вони прекрасні. Україна вчить світ не лише тому, що таке мужність, а й що таке справжня любов до своєї країни та свого народу. Слава Україні.

[@user-hi1zp4ob7g]

💯💙💛💙💛🩵💛

[@GG-si7fw]

I want to thank all of the models for being brave and part of this project. SLAVA UKRAINE.

[@U.H8]

💙💙💙💫💛💛💛

[@AJ-Lohinska]

Heroyam Slava!

[@jessicaaguilar6435]

The fallen, the wounded heroes and theirs scars represent freedom! Ukrainians, your spirit lives on...no amount of shellings will change that!

[@MrJdsenior]

At first my thought was, "why"? Continuing to think about it I can think of at least three positive reasons that struck me right away. 1.) It can make these wounds less off putting to people that see them who might otherwise have had that response. 2.) It allows people more insight into what is being sacrificed by these wounded soldiers to protect Ukraine and her people. 3.) It can allow the models to realize that their wounds can be seen as something positive, at least in one respect. Beyond that, it AMAZES me to see some of these badly wounded vets hyper accelerating their recoveries in an effort to get BACK TO THE FRONT to continue serving. I have seen stories of Ukrainians reentering service at the front with two lower limb prostheses, the kind runners use, and the way they get around on them is absolutely nothing short of amazing. I don't mean they can run kind of fast, I mean they can run FAST. The first time I saw a funeral procession passing with a Ukrainian vet, and EVERY person on the street, people just going about their dialy activities, stop, take a knee, and bow their heads, it broke me up. My guess, seeing that, is that after the war, wounded vets in Ukraine will be treated with honor by those around them. On the Russian side there is a video of a double amputee trying to assert his right to ride a public buss, whereupon the driver goes after him with a baseball bat (keep in mind, the returning vet was in a wheelchair), at which point the people on the bus laugh. It is on YT if you don't believe me. It is easy to see from that why SO many Russians hate their lives, and spend them utterly and completely pickled.

[@deforged]

i know the video you're referencing but my understanding of it that both the driver and the passengers were anti war and the amputee was a vet of the current invasion. the kid even claimed that he lost the legs after trying to denazifying "baby-eating Ukrainians" i'm all for that bus driver and the passengers. the sure the kid has been lied to and brain washed, but you cant unbrainwash everyone. and clearly others in the same general location of his residence know better.

[@wadeedden4552]

Reminds me of the work of Egon Shiele. Shiele was was a painter from Austrian expressionist ilk.

[@heathercraig526]

What a wonderful project...it shows the resilience of the human body and the spirit of the Ukraine people. It would be wonderful to see this exhibition go world wide.... 🇦🇺

[@bikechainmic]

You are absolutly amazing, brave and an inspitration. Slava Ukraine

[@U.H8]

💙💙💙💙💙🙏🏻💛💛💛💛💛

[@debracorneliuson5978]

What a beautiful way to preserve such a horrific time for these Ukrainian heros SLAVA UKRAINE ❤🇺🇦🇨🇦🙏🇨🇦🇺🇦❤

[@OstblockLatina]

They truly are undefeated! It's impossible to imagine by a perfectly healthy and fit person how their lives are put upside down and marked by the wounds, pain and laborious rehabilitation every minute of every day.

[@agoogleaccount2861]

True heroes of ukraine. They've given flesh and blood literally skin in the game .

[@shamrock4500]

They are now even more beautiful and unique now. I wish them the best.

[@AJ-Lohinska]

A huge thank you to Marta Syrko and especially to those who have kindly modelled for her in this wonderful project. Knowing how an amputee from Ukraine can live a very long, loving, and healthy life after war, I sincerely wish all of those who have suffered these injuries, as much love and longevity as my father had after losing his leg in WW2. Gosh, he was fit and *so* determined! The Ukrainian spirit is a true blessing. Never give up! 💙✌️💛 🇬🇧 🤝 🇺🇦

[@danweber8382]

💙💛🙏Glory to the Heroes🙏💙💛

[@adrianlane4256]

These people with living scars will never forget, let us also never forget all the scars Russia has caused in so many ways. This art is a way to spread that pain and suffering to people who will never see it first hand in the Ukraine. Keep it up, and tell those models they are doubly brave.

[@NoSuffix]

Just as Ukrainian President Zelensky said famously: Defending Ukraine costs this generation, but surrendering will cost many generations to come.

[@imaginemetoo]

Hearts and minds hurt with the cruel images of ruzzian war crimes inflicted on these Heroic Warriors.. Such warriors retain their Beauty! I Hope their self esteem soars and they go on to be Cyborgs with super powers ..... SLAVA UKRAINI HEROES 🇺🇦✌️ GLORY TO THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE 🇺🇦🇺🇦💙💛✌️

[@elizabethsproule5227]

Such courageous men and women. Slava Ukraine!

[@AJ-Lohinska]

Heroyam Slava!

[@traceyhellsten649]

Prayer 🙏 for peace and healing 🙏

[@peacehope23]

Glory to all brave heroes of Ukraine 🙏❤️🙏🙏🙏🇺🇦

[@larrybarnes3920]

This is a wonderful way to show the sacrifice of soldiers in war. Ben Quilty painted Australia's wounded veterans of Afghanistan.

[@wurmschn3693]

That's the kind of art which I love

[@angela2726]

That's awfull ! Such fine young men

[@brucewiley5252]

Very moving

[@verlindaallen3335]

Sweet Jesus help these precious ones. 🙏

[@LordOceanus]

Being able to keep both his knees is really a godsend for Oleksandr. Much better chance of having full mobility with minimal limitations with prosthetics. He certainly has a road to recovery but there is still a bright future to him much as the future is still bright for Ukraine.

[@mixbella995]

🇺🇦🌻🌻🌻🇺🇦ขอให้กำลังใจ ผู้ที่ได้รับบาดเจ็บ และ สูญเสียอวัยวะของร่างกาย😢😢😢 ในสงคราม และขอให้ทุกคนมีกำลังใจ ที่ดีขึ้นทุกวัน และสู้ๆนะคะ

[@revelgirl1742]

Beautiful WARRIORS.❤️💕🥰❤️💕🥰

[@MonsterMacLLC]

My three pound best friend is a cat who has a TMJ that leaves her tougne hanging out when she eats. Many people do not understand the level of care required when it is difficult for her to eat not impossible. For 6 years I used a special liquid diet to supplement because many dry foods are just too big for the space her mouth opens, canned food requires a slanted bowl and a lot of patience with the mess made as it takes her longer to maneuver the food into her mouth, and she also needs her face wipes after every meal, liquid or solid. Pet charity interests only want a cat like her for one thing; fundraisers. I dealt with a lot of comments about her and I too have facial scarring, but I liked to take photos of my animals’ abilities. I loved to capture them in their natural cat world cooperating and coexisting in a safe, loving permanent home based on multiple ability levels and mutual respect. Pet charity interests would have trouble placing a cat like her because of her size. I would rather see what she can adapt around rather than exploit and exxagerrate the things she can’t. I don’t have many pictures of my friends ‘condition’ as a result just her doing regular things as a regular cat. I have tremendous respect for what you are doing as a person with a facial scar. As an animal photography enthusiast with special needs animals I realize though. We’re still not there yet. That colony of special needs and able bodied cats has been sadly broken up here in New Hampshire, so that the same redundant fundraisers making them more fractious could commence. There really aren’t too many special needs animal modeling opportunities that result in permanent homes. It ends up only highlighting their limitations for money not enabling their self sufficiency through life. I like the fact you’ve shown progress here. I wish there were more of these projects for animals too.

[@Kauppi2]

Of course this a CatLady spinster saying this😂

[@ar1701]

No their not there yet, and I doubt they ever will be, humanity feeds off the efforts of the strong, to involved in their weakness, and greed, your success in life is YOUR ability to, at days, weeks, months, years, to look back and tell yourself " I did good " because you did, every time I tell myself that I smile, every time, 🙂

[@jelleybean001]

Beautiful photos and subjects. I feel for each and every Ukraine who suffers through this unprovoked war both physically and emotionally. How many will have scars, even after the war is over, which I hope is soon. We all need to continue to support them to rebuild and help them recover. Such beautiful and courageous people! Slava Ukraini

[@paulcrescenti5581]

This is wonderful that you are devoting your photography skills on such a negative subject that results in a better understanding of the horrors of war and giving hope of a more positive outcome for these severely injured heroes. Very inspiring.

[@erinfletcher9060]

Truth of horror made into educational art. Bless all of you!!

[@magdagama8779]

THEY STILL ARE PEOPLE AND HAVE A SOUL AND HEART, A BRAIN AND HAVE A LIFE TO LIVE. ...SO LIVE LA VIE! ! YOU ALL ARE BEAUTIFUL AND HAVE GOOD THINGS IN LIFE TO DO AND LIVE! !!

[@ssss-zg2ym]

It beautiful you all are heroes Glory Glory to Ukraine ❤️❤️

[@tatradak9781]

It's brutal, fascinatingly extraudandry.. Necessary to understand the suffering..

[@isabellrc]

This is Extremely POWERFUL on so many levels. I feel it not only brings to light the horrible wounds wars cause, however, it allows the wounded acknowledgment, and hopefully 🙏🏻 in time a sense of acceptance & mental healing.

[@johntait491]

A real "tear jerker" to see these terribly injured souls. ☹

[@yep9710]

A challenging but wonderful approach. Look into the abyss with open eyes.

[@ngcb-tu1qo]

I truly hope that that these soldiers are threated with the most respect all over the western world, and not only in Ukraine. There should be free travel pasports and free transport over the entire free world for them. They defended our freedom as wel and survived very wounded. I also think that we would see many finals with only Ukrainians in the future of the paralympics.

[@magdagama8779]

THOSE PHOTOS CAN HELP IN MANY WAYS THESE PEOPLE IN UKRAINE! ! AND HELP THE FUTURE GENERATIONS TOO OVER THE WORLD! !!

[@ilirllukaci5345]

One of the most noble artistic responses to war I have ever seen.

[@rppacademic]

These photos show what war does to fighting soldiers and others.

[@singlewhitefemale1707]

God bless the beautiful people of Ukraine 💔🇺🇦🇺🇲

[@paulshearer9140]

Beautiful work. This must be a huge psychological boost for these young men. 👍👍

[@mryouben]

Your resistance ist an inspiration for us

[@Dutch2go]

That’s powerful.

[@peterbiesbroek]

Absolutely BRAVE, ORIGINAL, PLEASE try to have these pictures of brave soldiers and their stories exposed in Paris, in Amsterdam, in Berlin

[@markusseitz480]

This is so sad. I cried. Very powerful work. 🇺🇦💙💛

[@vladimirkolovrat2846]

I feel for this man.

[@elesmoieh7842]

Our heroes! ❤

[@CatalystD9]

Beautiful ✊🙏🇺🇦

[@U.H8]

💙👍🏻💛💫💫💫

[@jomurray4022]

Beautiful photography❤ beautiful people ❤

[@stormottr6059]

Our true heroes; let us never forget. The real price for freedom, never take it for granted.

[@lillsjul]

wow

[@hankhammer1776]

This is beautiful. Framing sacrifice in its own light: Freedom has an individual human price, & as ugly as it may be, it deserves to be seen in positive context & recognition of one's duty. Слава Украиная. Славу Героий.

[@disasterarea8302]

Wow! Just wow!

[@nunyabizness9216]

Slava Ukraini❤❤❤

[@AJ-Lohinska]

Heroyam Slava 🇺🇦

[@joaomaxado65]

The War Criminals are "pushing" Ukraine to be a country wit a lot of champions in Para-Olympics and Invictus Games. I truly hope that those Ruzzians criminals will pay for it. Well, done Marta. Well done Warriors. Try to stay strong.

[@montefalcione1]

love

[@lennardschneider6847]

Well, in the future, everybody who has scars from wounds like these should be looked at with a smile and a "Thank you for your offer and service for my freedom!“ Hug at will... ❤ Some will move forward easily, others may take longer and again others may never cope well with it. Depending on the kind of handicap, depending on what they did or wanted to do as a job, depending on the range of support everybody gets... Please give them all love and respect and support they need. ❤ They gave themselves for your life and safety after all. They are Defenders, not Agressors. Give them who need a job and an appartment with facilities for handicapped people everything so they will feel appreciated and honored. Heroyam slava ❤💙💛🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

[@kw2519]

Good

[@chitucmaria3493]

UNELE SAU TOATE FOTOGRAFIILE IN CARE IMAGINILE SINT FOARTE DUREROASE SI SINT TINERI ASTA MA DOARE CEL MAI MULT 😢😢😢😢😢

[@janeeyre342]

Un abbraccio forte a tutti quanti, chi difende la propria patria, le famiglie... Che Dio vi Benedica🙏

[@mustardseed308]

💜

[@marjaannekevandermarel4220]

WOW ! What a good fotografer. And very speciale models. What a courtage to fight and come back to the real life but also so brave to let them fotograf them. A wunderfull idea . The truth but in a beautifull cover. Please nake also foto's of torture people. So that tge hole world can respect there scarfs . A big hugh from Marja from the Netgerland.

[@ConradSzymczak]

War is sad and unnecessary..........

[@usa5566]

🇺🇸🇺🇸THANKS NOW PUBLIC WILL KNOW WE NEED NO WARS ON EARTH 🌏 TEARS FOR THEM FILL SO MANY ❤s WHO HAVE A SOUL🙏

[@craigolson6311]

That's very beautiful pictures!! Slava Ukraine!!! YOU will win! I know it somehow.

[@AJ-Lohinska]

Glory to Heroes! 🇺🇦

[@leontinaleal3251]

Amazing and beautiful ! True HEROES 🇺🇦💓✌️

[@peacehope23]

They r still beautiful no matter what...the scar marked of their heroism..Glory to all brave defenders of Ukraine 🇺🇦 they get more love of thee heart of the whole world..someday f their children would asked them where they get that scar...it so proud to tell them..b'coz they one defend their country against the aggressor invaders🙏❤️🇺🇦

[@AJ-Lohinska]

Bless you, and, thank you 🙏 As a child of a WW2 Ukrainian amputee, that means so much to me, that these people, just like my father, will know their children and loved ones will definitely feel that way! 👨‍👧 💕💙💛💕

[@peacehope23]

@@AJ-Lohinska ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Glory to Ukraine and and Glory to all brave heroes of Ukraine 🇺🇦🙏 Glory to all free world 🌍🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 take cake sister💕

[@peacehope23]

@@AJ-Lohinska blessed ur father sis....same as ur family..I know ur so proud of ur dad ..so we are💕....🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@AJ-Lohinska]

@@peacehope23 Thank you so much. Made me smile to be a sister to you ☺️ 💕 My father's angel will be smiling huge in Heaven now, to know you said this about him and his beloved Ukraine 🇺🇦 🙏 🌍 🕊️ in the Free world is what Ukrainians are defending even now. Let it be so! 🙏🙏🙏 💙🕊️✌️🕊️💛

[@AJ-Lohinska]

@@peacehope23 Yes! I'm so proud of Ukraine and my late father. The spirit of Ukraine is undying. They've got this! 💪✌️💪 💙💛🇺🇦💙💛 💕💕💕💕💕

[@sakul899]

Enough of art for me

[@AzatskyDungeonMaster]

inb4 kremlinbots

[@agneswerner8366]

What you mean by this?

[@AzatskyDungeonMaster]

@@agneswerner8366 kremlinbots might appear on any pro-ukranian page/video still russia is the ones that are commiting warcrimes

[@Kauppi2]

Inb4 Ukroanime cringe

[@nian60]

@@agneswerner8366 Orc bots spam Ukrainian videos.

[@agneswerner8366]

@@nian60 yes, with the last post before you, it got clear indeed 😉

[@martaakh8105]

But he is not invalid, what is most important for man

[@LeperMessiah2]

This is a huge mistake😢 After the war it would be incredible but now it is nothing but demoralizing 😭

[@RichardTaylor1630]

No man or woman on the planet is more beautiful than those who have been wounded in defense of freedom from Putin's ogres. Slava heroyam! Ceterum, censeo Putinem et eius percussores delendos esse.

[@KateKosmo]

My God, the 1st man literally instantly made me start to sweat! 🤭🤤

[@dangerous8333]

This has been done before.

[@sidecar7714]

the grotesque is a crucial, and potentially universal, anthropological device that societies have used to conceptualize alterity and change.☮️