The Funerals of Kyiv

Photographing the funerals of Roman Ratushnyi, Dmytro “Da Vinci” Kotsiubailo, and Andrii “Juice” Pilshchykov over the past years was significant emotional connection to this country’s identity. Each of these moments captured more than just ceremony—they revealed the heart of a grieving nation. From the candlelit quiet of St. Michael’s to the sea of kneeling mourners in Maidan, from the faces of top officials to the silent tears of strangers, I tried to document not just the public loss but the personal cost of war. These were heroes, known names, and their funerals reflected the nation’s collective sorrow and pride. But these were just the highlighted events. Sadly, over the past three years, there have been so many more funerals—held without cameras, without crowds, and without speeches. Many were deeply personal, humble, and carried out with the same weight of love and sincerity, meant only for the quiet circle of family and friends left behind.

THE FUNERAL OF Roman Ratushnyi

As a photographer, capturing Roman Ratushnyi’s funeral on June 18, 2022, in Kyiv’s Maidan Nezalezhnosti was profoundly moving. Roman, a 24-year-old activist and soldier, had been a prominent figure in Ukraine’s fight for democracy and environmental preservation. The ceremony began at St. Michael’s Cathedral, where his coffin, adorned with Ukraine’s blue and yellow flag, was laid beneath the cathedral’s golden domes. Mourners placed poppies and a traditional loaf of bread on his coffin, symbols of remembrance and respect. The crowd, including friends, family, and fellow activists, gathered to honor a life dedicated to Ukraine’s freedom and integrity.

THE FUNERAL OF DMYTRO KOTSIUBAILO

Photographing the funeral of Dmytro Kotsiubailo—known by his call sign “Da Vinci”—on March 10, 2023, was an experience that left a profound impact on me. The ceremony began at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin paid their respects. President Zelenskyy presented Kotsiubailo’s mother with the Cross of Military Merit, posthumously awarded to her son for his outstanding service in defending Ukraine’s sovereignty . The presence of high-ranking officials, including Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, and General Oleksandr Pavliuk, underscored the nation’s deep respect for this young commander .

THE FUNERAL OF Andrii Pilshchykov

Photographing the funeral of Major Andrii “Juice” Pilshchykov on August 29, 2023, at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kyiv was an emotionally profound experience. The cathedral was filled with mourners, including high-ranking military officials such as Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, who attended to pay their respects . The atmosphere was heavy with grief as family, friends, and fellow servicemen gathered to honor the fallen pilot. Pilshchykov, a member of the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade, tragically lost his life in a mid-air collision during a training mission in Zhytomyr Oblast on August 25, 2023 . His dedication to defending Ukraine’s airspace and his advocacy for modernizing the Air Force left a lasting legacy. Through my lens, I aimed to capture the solemnity of the ceremony and the deep respect held for a hero who gave his life in service to his country.