Taras graduated from the Lviv University of Physical Culture: he first enrolled in the Faculty of Physical Culture and Sports and later switched to rehabilitation. After university, he worked as a massage therapist, and a year before the full-scale invasion, he already had his own private practice. Until 2023, Taras engaged in volunteering, helping out with logistics. Together with the director of the “1991” foundation, Nastia Sokhatska, he traveled to the east, delivering vehicles for the guys on the front line.
In 2023, Taras was mobilized. He joined the 150th Brigade, serving in an artillery battalion. Later, the brigade was disbanded, and their unit was attached to the 40th Coastal Defense Brigade. Taras currently serves in the “Nachtigall” Unmanned Strike Systems Battalion (BBS) of the 20th Operational Purpose Brigade “Liubart”.
I purposely saved a few frames on the roll of film to take a picture with my family at home. For me, this is a very important event: my mom and sister came to Ukraine. They have been living abroad since the end of 2022, so it’s a rarity when the whole family gathers together. Here are my grandma and grandpa — my dad’s parents — and my grandpa, my mom’s dad. On the left is my younger brother. On the right are mom and dad. And my sister is standing in the middle.
I purposely saved a few frames on the roll of film to take a picture with my family at home. For me, this is a very important event: my mom and sister came to Ukraine. They have been living abroad since the end of 2022, so it’s a rarity when the whole family gathers together. Here are my grandma and grandpa — my dad’s parents — and my grandpa, my mom’s dad. On the left is my younger brother. On the right are mom and dad. And my sister is standing in the middle.
This is the booth of the “1991” foundation at the Street Food So Good festival. I wanted to take a picture with the team as a keepsake. It was probably the first day I arrived, and I immediately went to the festival. On the right is my brother, and on the left is a colleague.
This is the booth of the “1991” foundation at the Street Food So Good festival. I wanted to take a picture with the team as a keepsake. It was probably the first day I arrived, and I immediately went to the festival. On the right is my brother, and on the left is a colleague.
I took this photo in the morning before the festival. It’s my sister’s graduation. I was fresh off the train, haven’t even had a haircut yet. This is our school: we all studied there one after another; everyone knew the Koval dynasty. What year I finished school, I don’t remember. With the war, much has faded from memory. After the ninth grade, I went to college, and then immediately into the second year of university.
I took this photo in the morning before the festival. It’s my sister’s graduation. I was fresh off the train, haven’t even had a haircut yet. This is our school: we all studied there one after another; everyone knew the Koval dynasty. What year I finished school, I don’t remember. With the war, much has faded from memory. After the ninth grade, I went to college, and then immediately into the second year of university.
This is me at the position. In my free time, I try to read. I read everything, but I intentionally choose books up to 400 pages. Until last year, I didn’t do this at all — maybe only back in my school days. I usually spend about a month at a position and started forcing myself to read, rather than just staring at my phone. In June, the first book I read was Zaluzhnyi’s. In the photo, I’m reading “Ask Miechka”. Overall, I read detective stories the most; right now, it’s “Shadow over the Carpathians” by Yana Leon. So far, my absolute favorite has been “White Ashes” by Illarion Pavliuk. If a book pulls me in, I can fly right through it.
This is me at the position. In my free time, I try to read. I read everything, but I intentionally choose books up to 400 pages. Until last year, I didn’t do this at all — maybe only back in my school days. I usually spend about a month at a position and started forcing myself to read, rather than just staring at my phone. In June, the first book I read was Zaluzhnyi’s. In the photo, I’m reading “Ask Miechka”. Overall, I read detective stories the most; right now, it’s “Shadow over the Carpathians” by Yana Leon. So far, my absolute favorite has been “White Ashes” by Illarion Pavliuk. If a book pulls me in, I can fly right through it.
This is a building that got smashed by a KAB (guided aerial bomb). Honestly, I have almost no photos from the war. I kind of annoy the people around me with a camera. Here, I decided to photograph the realities of war — what the russians do to our cities.
This is a building that got smashed by a KAB (guided aerial bomb). Honestly, I have almost no photos from the war. I kind of annoy the people around me with a camera. Here, I decided to photograph the realities of war — what the russians do to our cities.
Another working day. I’m busy flashing software for our drones. At first, we had four days of great training, but you get the vast majority of your experience daily through practice. You also talk with others who work with the same equipment. There’s this buddy I text with questions at 5 a.m., and he replies immediately.
Another working day. I’m busy flashing software for our drones. At first, we had four days of great training, but you get the vast majority of your experience daily through practice. You also talk with others who work with the same equipment. There’s this buddy I text with questions at 5 a.m., and he replies immediately.
This is Shelby — he’s a pilot. We constantly work together. He’s 22 years old.
This is Shelby — he’s a pilot. We constantly work together. He’s 22 years old.
This is Shelby and Uncle Kolya.
This is Shelby and Uncle Kolya.
This is where we work. Shelby is at his workstation.
This is where we work. Shelby is at his workstation.
This is Renaz and I arriving at the position. Usually, we spend about a month at one position, but on my first one, I stayed for 52 days.
This is Renaz and I arriving at the position. Usually, we spend about a month at one position, but on my first one, I stayed for 52 days.
This is Shelby. He took a picture of us, and we took one of him. This is during the same deployment to the position. We are riding in a van donated by the foundation.
This is Shelby. He took a picture of us, and we took one of him. This is during the same deployment to the position. We are riding in a van donated by the foundation.
The realities of the roads in Donbas.
The realities of the roads in Donbas.
This is me with a colleague. There’s a funny story connected to him. When I first arrived and told them who I was and where I was from, the company commander said: “I know exactly who you need to meet; you guys will definitely hit it off.” That’s how I met Kit (Cat). His official call sign is Groot, but everyone calls him Kit. He is also from Lviv; he was in the Marines, and then transferred to “Liubart”. He’s an awesome guy.
This is me with a colleague. There’s a funny story connected to him. When I first arrived and told them who I was and where I was from, the company commander said: “I know exactly who you need to meet; you guys will definitely hit it off.” That’s how I met Kit (Cat). His official call sign is Groot, but everyone calls him Kit. He is also from Lviv; he was in the Marines, and then transferred to “Liubart”. He’s an awesome guy.
This is a photo of me taken by Uncle Kolya. I had just picked up the camera and stickers from the post office and decided to capture the moment. This is actually the first frame on this roll of film.
This is a photo of me taken by Uncle Kolya. I had just picked up the camera and stickers from the post office and decided to capture the moment. This is actually the first frame on this roll of film.
And this is Uncle Kolya and Renaz. We had just left the position, and I said: “Guys, let me take a picture of you.”
And this is Uncle Kolya and Renaz. We had just left the position, and I said: “Guys, let me take a picture of you.”
This is my “Techyk” (VW T4 van). For me, it’s a very symbolic vehicle: my dad had the exact same one, just in a different color. It’s the first car I ever learned to drive well. I love it very much, even though it really gets on my nerves sometimes.
This is my “Techyk” (VW T4 van). For me, it’s a very symbolic vehicle: my dad had the exact same one, just in a different color. It’s the first car I ever learned to drive well. I love it very much, even though it really gets on my nerves sometimes.
Uncle Kolya and I wanted to eat — specifically shawarma. The only one nearby was this one. It was really tasty, and I told him: “Let me take a snapshot for the memory.”
Uncle Kolya and I wanted to eat — specifically shawarma. The only one nearby was this one. It was really tasty, and I told him: “Let me take a snapshot for the memory.”
Credits:
Photos and stories — Taras Koval
Interviewed and written by — Olya Shakhnyk
Edited by — Iryna Kravets
Coordinated by — Maryna Pertsovych
