American Photography 39 Winners

Exodus

Exodus, Western Ukraine. February 2022. Ukrainians and other nationals move through the night to reach the safety of the Polish border after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, some walking 20 miles or more from day to night that Friday in the first 48 hours of the conflict. Thousands found themselves stuck at the border crossing, some for several cold days and frigid nights with little shelter available and dwindling supplies in local shops and stores. A more organized departure eventually came together, but in the earliest hours and days, uncertainty and hardship prevailed for thousands fleeing for safer ground.

The Cold and the Brave

The Cold and the Brave, Western Ukraine. February 2022. A family living near Shehyni, Ukraine, left, serves hot tea to just a few of the hundreds and hundreds walking along a highway Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in western Ukraine, that leads to the safety of Poland, here just a few kilometers away following Russia’s invasion. Hundreds walked, while some wait in a miles-long stream of stopped cars lining the M 11 highway, with many walking for 20 miles, or more, from day to night that Friday in the first 48 hours of the conflict. Thousands ended up stuck in a bottleneck at the border crossing, many for several cold days and frigid nights with little shelter available and dwindling supplies in local shops and stores. A more organized exodus eventually came together, but in the earliest hours and days, uncertainty and hardship prevailed for thousands fleeing for safer ground.