In Photos: Ukrainian Refugees on the Border

Emma Ball-Greene is a French-British photographer living in Berlin. She has been travelling between Berlin and Ukraine to capture the emotions and the contrasts between the borders. Having spent time in war zones previously, she remembers the deep connections made with every encounter. Ball-Greene reflects, “This was a one-of-a-kind experience as there are ongoing atrocities happening but an infinite level of love and solidarity between the Ukrainian people. Everyone is in constant fear but continues to hold their head up while impatiently waiting for victory day. Upon entering Ukraine, I realised the priorities and ways of seeing no longer became the same. In times of war, humans are in the purest state, blank pages and hearts on their shoulders. No time for egos, games or lies. Truthfulness, vulnerability and honesty are all wide awake in the psyche.”

Sleeping in shelters and spending as much time as possible with the fleeing individuals, Ball-Greene was motivated to grasp it all, in full. “Coming back to Poland was a long journey and the arrival felt like the finish line of a marathon. Sun, smiles and encouragement on the faces of volunteers and hugs all around, which was quite a contrast and an intense feeling — as their race is not over.”