Sergiy Ristenko
Illustration by Oleg Andreyev
Aerial-photographer Sergiy Ristenko survived Russian occupation with his family, an event that compelled him to join the army. He talked to us from the frontline:
How does your craft help you at the front?
I never thought that my hobby as a photographer would become my profession, and am grateful for that. The Russian invasion has turned our domestic lives upside down. But I felt that we were all in this together, and I wondered how I could be useful in this horrific situation. I started working with volunteers, but I realized that my particular expertise could be more useful. By accident I met friends who were engaged in air reconnaissance in 2014. They invited me to be part of their recon team. In this war, the importance of drones and air reconnaissance is critically important. The war is wildly dynamic; I’m constantly learning and adapting to new conditions. This is not a negative thing in my profession. Most importantly, every night I remind myself that my Russophobia is not enough, so I redouble my efforts to reduce losses and secure wins for Ukraine. I’m encouraged to work because I believe that once this war is over I’ll be able to return to my favorite thing - capturing the beauty of Ukraine.
You and your family survived the occupation near Chernihiv. Do you think Russian soldiers really believe they are saving Ukraine from Nazis?
It’s such a mess of propaganda, stupidity and low culture, that it’s difficult to decipher what they think, or if they think at all for that matter. If Russians were told over and over that cats kill dogs, and Ukrainians were to blame, then they begin to believe it, and so the dogs need rescuing. It’s an absurd narrative with no coherent ideology. Malevolent and self-serving leadership is directing the Russian military to destroy our cities and our villages, and to murder Ukrainians with reckless abandon. The Russian version of liberation revolves around rape, robbery, and torture. When Ukrainians liberate villages, they first make room for humanitarian aid. This contrast should reveal all you need to know about the Russian belief system.
You often photograph war. Please share one of your recent photos. Why this photo?
This is the last photo we took together as a family. Soon after, my wife and children sought safety abroad. Whenever I feel a little desperate or tired, I look at this photo and I understand that the happiness of my children and family depends on me, and on all of us who defend our land from occupation. I miss them very much.
What else can the world do to help Ukraine?
The most important thing is to believe in us. Help us, and keep helping us please. When I hear "the whole world is tired of the war in Ukraine," just imagine how tired we are here in the midst of these atrocities. But the world needs to understand one more thing - the conflict is not only a war between Russia and Ukraine, it is a war between Barbarians and Civility. Should the Barbarians win, they will not stop. Europe will be next. Should Civility prevail, the world will be able to exhale. Aid in any form is a critical contribution towards victory. I’ll add that we are grateful for all the aid, shelter, and support we have received from our neighbors and partners. There will not be enough of borscht, dumplings and compote to thank them, but we will try!
Favorite place in Kyiv?
Choosing just one place would be a betrayal to Kyiv, because I have many favorite places… from Sofia Square, through Mykhailivska, Volodymyrska Hill, go down the funicular, see the best sunrises near the pedestrian bridge.
