Paula Bronstein’s Journey Through War and Resilience

For over 40 years, US photojournalist Paula Bronstein has ventured into the world’s less visible corners, capturing the stories of nations ravaged by conflict, including Afghanistan and Ukraine. With a mission to “bear witness to critical moments” and to “create images that evoke true empathy,” Bronstein’s award-winning work highlights political turmoil, humanitarian struggles, and social injustices. However, her photography doesn’t just focus on the darker shades of life; she also seeks to portray the moments of joy, happiness, and the full spectrum of human experience. Driven by an “insatiable curiosity,” her goal is to document the unwavering humanity of people even amidst their darkest hours.

Bravery and New Beginnings

In a workshop in Lviv designed for blind veterans, Ivan Rozuman learns how to navigate the streets with the help of a mobility trainer. Having joined the military before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he has faced significant challenges. Rozuman has survived multiple injuries, requiring over 50 surgeries, due to shrapnel lodged in his body. His military journey began during the Kharkiv offensive, where he lost his eyesight and experienced hearing loss. Tragically, after leaving the military, an explosion near his home in Zaporizhzhia almost cost him his life.

Since 2025, Bronstein has focused on documenting the experiences of injured Ukrainian soldiers through her project, Blinded by War. Vladimir Putin’s invasion in 2022 has forever changed a generation of young Ukrainian men, leaving many with life-altering wounds, primarily caused by kamikaze drones that have become common on the battlefield.

Stories of Survival

On February 14, 2023, Vitaliy Veres suffered grave injuries in Bakhmut. His eyes were severely damaged, his chin was lacerated, and his ear structures were destroyed, leading to over 30 surgeries. Disillusioned by military-funded medical care, he aspires to promote adaptive sports for veterans and dreams of becoming a motivational speaker. Currently, Veres is committed to bodybuilding, training daily in the gym.

“Abroad, I’m a hero. At home, people look at me like I’m scary.” – Vitaliy Veres

Veres met his partner, Victoria Lysachenko, in 2012, and their daughter is a significant source of motivation in his recovery journey. The nation grapples with the enormous task of providing medical support, rehabilitation, and psychological assistance to an increasing number of wounded military personnel. Many soldiers, like Artur Martosich, a competitive weightlifter, and Serhii Chabanov, a father of three, have suffered intense injuries, including loss of sight, during the conflict. Bronstein often reflects on the resilience she witnesses through their stories, noting, “What fascinates me is their resilience.”

Sport as a Path to Healing

Artur Martosich has transformed his life following the loss of his sight. A passionate strongman and powerlifter, he combines strength training with endurance sports, participating in numerous veteran competitions. Martosich recalls being shot in the head during a combat mission. Living with his father, he views sports as “the best form of rehabilitation – physical, spiritual, and mental.” He aims to join the Ukrainian national team for strongman competitions.

Similarly, Andriy Onopriienko, aged 32, endured a tank attack two years ago resulting in blindness and facial burns. He shares, “I was in so much pain I begged another comrade to kill me. Now I want to live my life to the fullest, one step at a time.” Residing in his childhood home in Kyiv, Onopriienko recounts the desperate thoughts that followed his injury.

Medical Achievements and Ongoing Struggles

In July, Bronstein visited a regional hospital in Kyiv, capturing moments of patients undergoing eye surgeries. One patient, Rafael Akhmedov, lost his left eye in 2024 due to a mortar attack. Hoping this will be his final visit, he reflects on his future goals, including starting a family with his wife. Ocular surgeon Mariia Borkhalenko notes that 70% of her patients have lost one or both eyes, victims of drone strikes and bombs. Many also lose their hands, as a reflex response during explosions. She reports a rising number of veterans struggling with depression, emphasizing the need for psychological support.

Resilience Amidst Adversity

Ilya Romantsov, 26, faced unimaginable hardships after losing both his sight and hands in a drone attack. The surge of traumatic injuries from targeted drone strikes has placed immense strain on Ukraine’s medical system. Despite the relentless drone and missile attacks on Kyiv, Borkhalenko asserts, “I still get up in the morning and go to work. Doing surgery is my job. Our shared goal is to defeat the enemy and win this war.”

Bronstein meticulously documents the stories of resilience amidst the chaos, showcasing her passion for photography as a powerful storytelling tool. “I’ve covered conflict for so many years, going back to the bombings in Pakistan and the war in Afghanistan. It’s how I want to tell the story,” she states.

A Personal Exploration

At a workshop for blind veterans in Lviv, Yuliya observes her father, Volodymr, dancing under the guidance of an instructor. Bronstein expresses her heartfelt connection to photography: “For me, photography is an intensely personal exploration, seen through my own eyes. I feel incredibly fortunate that, at 72, my unwavering passion for my work drives me to seek and portray what’s possible.” Her recent book, Witnessing Life: A Retrospective, encapsulates her journey. Having worked for decades in photojournalism, Bronstein’s extensive experience includes covering the war in Afghanistan and publishing her book, Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear, in 2016.

Continuing Conversations Through Art

Serhii Chabanov, severely injured in a drone attack and now lacking sight in one eye and an arm, recently secured second place in a weightlifting competition for veterans with disabilities. Bronstein notes, “My life has unfolded as a continuous conversation with photojournalism. I have given myself entirely to it, and in turn, it has profoundly shaped who I am today.”

Conclusion

Paula Bronstein’s work is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit even in the face of devastating trauma. Through her lens, she captures not just the challenges but also the triumphs of individuals as they navigate their new realities in the aftermath of war.

• Paula Bronstein’s photography highlights the resilience of war-affected individuals.
• Her project, Blinded by War, documents the realities faced by injured Ukrainian soldiers.
• Art and sport serve as crucial forms of rehabilitation for veterans.
• The ongoing conflict presents significant challenges for medical and psychological support in Ukraine.