War in Ukraine and its echoes in Lithuania – photos

LRT.lt
LRT.lt 2022.03.11 08:00
“You drink coffee and suddenly remember – what if there’s a war,” Yuliya, a 21-year-old standing outside a restaurant in Kyiv said three weeks before the Russian invasion. At the time, the city was still drowning in its daily mundanity. | B. Gerdžiūnas/LRT

On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine. The brave people of Ukraine have joined the fight against the aggressor. LRT photographers and journalists captured the Ukrainian struggle and the echoes of the war in Lithuania. We invite you to see the highlights in the LRT Gallery of the month.

LRT journalist Benas Gerdžiūnas has been working in Ukraine for more than a month. His footage captures the life of Ukrainians both on the eve of the war and after Russia started its brutal invasion.

LRT photographers Justinas Stacevičius, Edvard Blaževič, and Domantas Umbrasas also captured how the news of Russia’s war against Ukraine were received in Lithuania.

“You drink coffee and suddenly remember – what if there’s a war,” Yuliya, a 21-year-old standing outside a restaurant in Kyiv said three weeks before the Russian invasion. At the time, the city was still drowning in its daily mundanity.
“You drink coffee and suddenly remember – what if there’s a war,” Yuliya, a 21-year-old standing outside a restaurant in Kyiv said three weeks before the Russian invasion. At the time, the city was still drowning in its daily mundanity. | B. Gerdžiūnas/LRT
With the Russian invasion of Ukraine just a couple of weeks away, and with Western leaders talking about the threat of war, many Ukrainians have decided to join the Territorial Defence Forces.
With the Russian invasion of Ukraine just a couple of weeks away, and with Western leaders talking about the threat of war, many Ukrainians have decided to join the Territorial Defence Forces. | B. Gerdžiūnas/LRT
Following Russia's military aggression in Ukraine, nine countries, including Lithuania, have appealed to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to expel Russia from the Eurovision Song Contest. After considering all the arguments, the decision was taken to expel Russia. While waiting for the EBU's decision, there have been calls in Lithuania for Monika Liu to refuse to go to the contest if Russia was participating.
Following Russia's military aggression in Ukraine, nine countries, including Lithuania, have appealed to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to expel Russia from the Eurovision Song Contest. After considering all the arguments, the decision was taken to expel Russia. While waiting for the EBU's decision, there have been calls in Lithuania for Monika Liu to refuse to go to the contest if Russia was participating. | E. Blažio / LRT nuotr.
Not only Ukrainian soldiers but also civilians are joining the fight against Russian aggression. Dozens of Kyiv residents have been making Molotov cocktails in the streets, while many trained to use weapons in case they had to defend themselves against the aggressor.
Not only Ukrainian soldiers but also civilians are joining the fight against Russian aggression. Dozens of Kyiv residents have been making Molotov cocktails in the streets, while many trained to use weapons in case they had to defend themselves against the aggressor. | B. Gerdžiūnas/LRT
Before the war broke out, Lithuanians were celebrating their Independence Day on February 16.
Before the war broke out, Lithuanians were celebrating their Independence Day on February 16. | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Former President Dalia Grybauskaitė and Lithuania’s first post-independence leader Vytautas Landsbergis address people in Vilnius on Independence Day
Former President Dalia Grybauskaitė and Lithuania’s first post-independence leader Vytautas Landsbergis address people in Vilnius on Independence Day | E. Blažio / LRT nuotr.
People in the village of Pivniche, in eastern Ukraine, clear up the rubble after an artillery strike destroyed a civilian house
People in the village of Pivniche, in eastern Ukraine, clear up the rubble after an artillery strike destroyed a civilian house | B. Gerdžiūnas/LRT
Athletes have also expressed support to Ukraine. Žalgiris Kaunas BC said it would not play with any Russian clubs and urged Euroleague to follow its example.
Athletes have also expressed support to Ukraine. Žalgiris Kaunas BC said it would not play with any Russian clubs and urged Euroleague to follow its example. | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Thousands of Ukrainians were forced to leave homes and seek shelter in neighbouring countries when Russia invaded the country on February 24.
Thousands of Ukrainians were forced to leave homes and seek shelter in neighbouring countries when Russia invaded the country on February 24. | B. Gerdžiūnas/LRT
On the first day of the invasion, tens of thousands of people across Lithuania hit the streets to express solidarity with Ukrainians and condemn Russia’s actions
On the first day of the invasion, tens of thousands of people across Lithuania hit the streets to express solidarity with Ukrainians and condemn Russia’s actions | E. Blažio / LRT nuotr.
On the first day of the invasion, tens of thousands of people across Lithuania hit the streets to express solidarity with Ukrainians and condemn Russia’s actions
On the first day of the invasion, tens of thousands of people across Lithuania hit the streets to express solidarity with Ukrainians and condemn Russia’s actions | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
Singer Algirdas Kaušpėdas at a Ukraine support concert in Vilnius
Singer Algirdas Kaušpėdas at a Ukraine support concert in Vilnius | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.
People of Kyiv seek shelter in the city’s metro stations
People of Kyiv seek shelter in the city’s metro stations | B. Gerdžiūnas/LRT
A four-day rally outside the Russian Embassy in Vilnius
A four-day rally outside the Russian Embassy in Vilnius | D. Umbraso / LRT nuotr.
Civilian Ukrainians mobilised to protect their cities from Russian attacks
Civilian Ukrainians mobilised to protect their cities from Russian attacks | B. Gerdžiūnas/LRT
Lithuanians bringing in things that could be useful for Ukrainian refugees
Lithuanians bringing in things that could be useful for Ukrainian refugees | M. Gaučaitė-Znutienė/LRT
Ukrainians collect bottles to be used for making Molotov cocktails
Ukrainians collect bottles to be used for making Molotov cocktails | B. Gerdžiūnas/LRT
The road to Zhytomyr is marked by sporadic checkpoints being set up by masses of civilians. They are fortifying the town that stands next in line in Russia’s push to encircle the Ukrainian capital.
The road to Zhytomyr is marked by sporadic checkpoints being set up by masses of civilians. They are fortifying the town that stands next in line in Russia’s push to encircle the Ukrainian capital. | B. Gerdžiūnas/LRT
"My suitcase is standing packed at home. I've been preparing for a long time. And now I am ready to go to the front," says Alexander Makhov, a veteran who served in the 57th Brigade in 2015-2016
"My suitcase is standing packed at home. I've been preparing for a long time. And now I am ready to go to the front," says Alexander Makhov, a veteran who served in the 57th Brigade in 2015-2016 | B. Gerdžiūnas/LRT
36-year-old Svitlaa Androsova fled Ukraine and settled in Vilnius with her 13-year-old daughter, younger sister, and a dog. "There hasn't been a day without tears," she says.
36-year-old Svitlaa Androsova fled Ukraine and settled in Vilnius with her 13-year-old daughter, younger sister, and a dog. "There hasn't been a day without tears," she says. | E. Blažio / LRT nuotr.
While shopping in Zhytomyr, a city 130 kilometres west of Kyiv, air raid sirens ring out for the third time in one morning. The security guards hurry people toward a shelter, instructing them to leave behind their shopping carts
While shopping in Zhytomyr, a city 130 kilometres west of Kyiv, air raid sirens ring out for the third time in one morning. The security guards hurry people toward a shelter, instructing them to leave behind their shopping carts | B. Gerdžiūnas/LRT
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