"My home, my city, my republic!" | Lugansk, Ukraine, summer 2015

nero12 (50)in #photography • 6 years ago

I came to Lugansk, capital of, so called, Lugansk People's Republic in the summer of 2015 when war couple months before evolved into trench war after battles of Donetsk Airport and Debaltseve. Unlike for Donetsk People's Republic I didn't have accreditation for Lugansk People's Republic but anyway I decided to go there using public transportation. Being there Pole is one of the worst ethnical and national choices which could be made for you - you are treated almost like enemy, most of people are suspicious and of course you have to be prepared for problems with local army, police and secret service. Obviously not only local, there were/are also Russians forces.

In comparison to Donetsk city of Lugansk during this time was pretty deserted. Only little part of center was living but also very limited. There were many destructions caused both by Ukrainian Forces during battle for the city year before but also by the local pro-russian militias. It's hard to distinguish but it was clearly visible that businesses like restaurants and petrol stations were robbed. On the flats you could read announcements from special police forces about robberies.

Finally I was caught by local police then given to secret service and interrogated for about two-three hours. I have to show all devices, unlock them. Anyway after all level of politeness of the conversation was pretty impressive as for collapsed war torn republic. I had to leave Republic next day.

On the streets you could see only advertisements related to politics. As seen on photo.