Photography captures Ukraine's fight for freedom

The exhibition will showcase more than 130 photographs by Master Sgt Roman Naumov

The photography of a Ukrainian soldier who is serving on the front line of the ongoing war with Russia, will go on display in a new exhibition.

Master Sgt Roman Naumov, who is currently serving in the Ukrainian Army, took up photography professionally in 2015. He has been deployed in eastern Ukraine since February.

The exhibition called Pain and Struggle, which is being shown in Norwich, showcases more than 130 photographs showing the impact the war has had on Ukrainians and their communities.

Master Sgt Naumov said: "It is about the strength and immensibility of our soldiers, about the heroes on whose shoulders the country's defence is now."

Master Sgt Naumov said the photos show "how tender moments can still exist amongst the horrors"

The exhibition has been organised by Maj Oleksander Bielov, the head of media communications for the Ukrainian Army. It will be run by British and Ukrainians volunteers throughout May.

Master Sgt Naumov, 43, was born in Kyiv and first served in the Ukrainian Army in 1999, before he enlisted again in 2023.

He was first deployed to the Joint Press Centre of the Northern Defence Forces. In February 2024 he was sent to the front line in eastern Ukraine.

His photographs capture the impact the war has had on Ukrainians

While he was delivering aid to Borodyanka, Makariv, Irpin, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv and Tserkra, he photographed the work of volunteers and the destruction inflicted on communities and cities.

The photographs showcase "how tender moments can still exist amongst the horrors," he said.

The 43-year-old first joined the Ukrainian Army in 1999

Master Sgt Naumov said he hoped the exhibition would raise awareness of the impact the war has had on citizens.

"Some cities in the east of the country have completely been destroyed, almost all major cities have been hit by missiles and drones. Thousands of people have lost their homes, thousands have been killed.

"The second is about our fight for freedom... it is about the strength and immensibility of our soldiers, about the heroes on whose shoulders the country's defence is now."

Many cities in the east of Ukraine have been destroyed by the Russian Army

Master Sgt Naumov said he was grateful for the support the United Kingdom has given to the people of Ukraine.

"Back then in the most difficult early days we survived not because of weapons, not because of leaders but above all because of our unity."

The exhibition will run 3-31 May in Toper's Square, Thorn Lane, Norwich.

Master Sgt Naumov said the country has survived because of its "unity"