A photographer has spent 9 months taking photos of athletes training in Ukraine's decimated boxing rings and bombed-out sports halls. Take a look.

Aditi BharadeFeb 11, 2023, 18:41 IST

Two young gymnasts practice in the corridor of a damaged primary school.Mykola Synelnykov

Photographer Mykola Synelnykov's war sports series shows athletes training amid the wreckage of war.
He said he aims to show the "monstrous crimes" inflicted on Ukraine by Russia.

Before the war, Ukrainian photographer Mykola Synelnykov took photos of sports events. Now, in his own words, he's "forced to photograph destruction."

Fencers training in a destroyed hall in Kharkiv, with its floor caving in.Mykola Synelnykov

Snyelnykov, who lives in Kamianske, a city in eastern Ukraine, told Insider he got the idea for a war photo series in the early months of the war. But due to challenges the war presented, he was unable to start the project until June.

An archer training in the corridor of a destroyed school in Chernihiv, in northern Ukraine.Mykola Synelnykov

Snyelnykov, who lives in Kamianske, a city in eastern Ukraine, told Insider he got the idea for a war photo series in the early months of the war. But due to challenges the war presented, he was unable to start the project until June.

When asked what he wanted his audience to take away from his work, Synelnykov's answer was simple and clear: "truth."

Taekwondo athletes sparring in a sports hall in Irpin, a city near the capital Kyiv. The hall has been burned and is beyond repair, according to the photographer.Mykola Synelnykov

In January, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used Synelnykov's photographs to send a political message about Russia's participation in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, arguing that Russian athletes should not be allowed to compete in the competition as neutrals.

Two boxers train in a boxing hall in Chernihiv, in northern Ukraine. The hall has a gaping hole in its wall after being hit by a missile.Mykola Synelnykov

In January, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used Synelnykov's photographs to send a political message about Russia's participation in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, arguing that Russian athletes should not be allowed to compete in the competition as neutrals.

Snyelnykov's photo-taking process varies, from accidentally chancing upon athletes training in damaged facilities, to staging photoshoots in locations that have been obliterated.

A children’s football team practices in a destroyed stadium in Chernihiv.Mykola Synelnykov

Snyelnykov's photo-taking process varies, from accidentally chancing upon athletes training in damaged facilities, to staging photoshoots in locations that have been obliterated.

The war in Ukraine has stretched on for almost a year.

Judo athletes training in a sports complex in the Kyiv region that has been destroyed after shelling.Mykola Synelnykov

A history of Las Vegas in photos: How it transformed from railroad town to a infamous gambling mecca

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

A photographer has spent 9 months taking photos of athletes training in Ukraine's decimated boxing rings and bombed-out sports halls. Take a look.

Before the war, Ukrainian photographer Mykola Synelnykov took photos of sports events. Now, in his own words, he's "forced to photograph destruction."

Snyelnykov, who lives in Kamianske, a city in eastern Ukraine, told Insider he got the idea for a war photo series in the early months of the war. But due to challenges the war presented, he was unable to start the project until June.

When asked what he wanted his audience to take away from his work, Synelnykov's answer was simple and clear: "truth."

In January, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used Synelnykov's photographs to send a political message about Russia's participation in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, arguing that Russian athletes should not be allowed to compete in the competition as neutrals.

Snyelnykov's photo-taking process varies, from accidentally chancing upon athletes training in damaged facilities, to staging photoshoots in locations that have been obliterated.

The war in Ukraine has stretched on for almost a year.