I was born and raised in Donetsk, a city in the industrial region of Ukraine, which was awarded the title «City of a Million Roses» by UNESCO in 1970. This title symbolized the richness and diversity of its culture. However, in the spring of 2014, Russia began a hybrid war against Ukraine: Crimea was annexed in March, and in May, armed separatist groups, supported by Russian troops, seized Donetsk.

Like more than 2 million of my fellow countrymen, I became a refugee. Mass migration affected the middle class, who left their homes in search of safety. As part of my project, I photographed former residents of Donetsk in their new homes. Each of them carries their own story of loss and aspiration.

The faces of these people reflect the bitterness of separation, but also the strength with which they overcome the challenges of their new lives. Through visual metaphors, I sought to convey hope for revival and restoration, despite the disconnection from their homeland.

The project also raises important questions of identity that have persisted despite distance and time. In the face of denial and condemnation regarding their native city and its symbols, they are creating a new identity. Home is not just a space, but an emotional connection that nurtures and sustains.