Capital K by The Ukrainians Media

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Kyiv today is a city defined by a vast spectrum of experiences and human stories. Despite the war, it continues to live, evolve and dream of a better future for its people. How does the city keep going, and what sustains its residents during these trying times?

“Capital K” is a photo exhibition by The Ukrainians Media that documents various facets of life in the capital. Twelve photographs, texts from leading Ukrainian authors and narration by the TUM team create a bridge, momentarily connecting two capital cities. Follow the QR code to read these stories from the heart of Ukraine and listen to audio versions of selected essays narrated in English.

This exhibition was held at Ukraine House during Annual Innovation Days 3.0

Kyiv, Ukraine March 2024 Alex Babenko

The two banks of Kyiv are in a constant, precarious balance—between the past and the present. Research by the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program "How Are You?" and UNICEF Ukraine has shown that at least 47% of Ukrainians experience high stress levels, yet 73% possess a "reserve" of resilience. Even in the reality of war, the capital continues to seek its balance.

Kyiv, Ukraine August 28, 2025 Danylo Pavlov

12-year-old Kyiv resident Bohdan watches as rescuers clear the rubble of a five-story building that, before the missile strike, was his home. Ukrainian children are forced to grow up quickly: nearly 1.8 million have become refugees, over 790,000 are internally displaced within the country, and 1.6 million remain under occupation (UNICEF data as of February 2026).

Kyiv, Ukraine June 7, 2025 Hryhorii Vepryk

The "Black Cloud" installation hangs over Sophia Square like the shadow of war. This cloud has arrived as a warning: if the world does not stop the darkness, it will cover everyone. Its creator, Oleksii Sai, emphasizes: "Look the truth in the eye and be prepared!" Inside the installation are the real sounds of war, recorded in Zaporizhzhia by musician Denys Vasyliev.

Kyiv, Ukraine January 2026 Danylo Pavlov

During the winter of 2025–2026, Russian strikes left Kyiv without power and heat. By early February, 104 SES (State Emergency Service) heating points were operating across 70 locations in the capital, providing a place to warm up, charge gadgets, and drink hot tea. The Left Bank suffered the most: massive shelling destroyed CHP-4 (Thermal Power Plant 4), leaving over a thousand buildings without heating.

Kyiv, Ukraine February 28, 2025 Danylo Pavlov

The Ukrainians Media Book Club brings together over 1,500 members, creating a space for thoughtful reading and live dialogue. Intimate meetings take place in the capital's coffee-bookstore "Sens"—a place where Ukrainian culture is being shaped within a new reality. At this moment, it is known that Russia has damaged nearly 1,000 libraries in Ukraine and destroyed at least 200 million Ukrainian books; nevertheless, the Ukrainians' love for the word remains unshakable.

Kyiv, Ukraine April 24, 2025 Serhii Korovainyi

A North Korean KN-23 ballistic missile destroyed a residential building in Aviamistechko—the unofficial name of a Kyiv neighborhood built near the Antonov aircraft plant. This area is still home to those who worked on the legendary "Mriya" (The Dream)—the An-225, which is listed in the Guinness World Records for holding 240 records. Over the four years of the war, more than 2,900 residential buildings in Kyiv have suffered destruction.

Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine November 2024 Serhii Hryhorchuk

For four years now, the night sky over Kyiv has been held by the soldiers of anti-aircraft missile units. Since October 2022, dozens of kamikaze drones have targeted the city every night. According to the Kyiv City Administration, in 2025 alone, the capital was attacked by 2,556 drones. In total, during the first three years of the war, the Russians launched over 28,000 kamikaze drones toward Ukraine.