Jim Campbell in an area in the Donetsk which was destroyed during the bombing.
FOLLOWING ON from the success of his solo photographic exhibition ‘Divided’ which chronicled the lives of everyday citizens of Israel, Echo photographer Jim Campbell went once more unto the breach when he travelled to war torn Donetsk two weeks ago.
The Ukraine has been ravaged by war and devastation for the past 18 months as the Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian rebels have squared off over whether the country should affiliate closer to the European Union or to Russia.
Jim’s journey brought him to Donetsk, which is under pro-Russian rebel control, and is just a few miles away from the current front line or ‘High Risk Area’ where fighting is at its most intense. The people of that city want to become their own independent state as the People’s Republic of Donetsk.
Speaking after his safe return, Jim outlined the nine-day trip which brought him from the comforts of home into the destroyed homes and devastated lives of those who have been living through turmoil for the past year and a half.
[Full story in this week’s Echo Newspaper]