Far from home
Early in the morning on February 24, 2022, Russia attacked Ukraine. Fearing for their future, Ukrainians abandoned their homes and possessions to look for a safe place to live. Most of them were women, children, and the elderly. One of the most frequently chosen countries of refuge was Poland.
Within the first month of the outbreak, according to a report by the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies of the University of Warsaw, over 2 million refugees arrived in Poland. The first places where they received help were railway stations, hastily prepared centres, military tents, and trade halls. The fire brigade, volunteers, and above all, ordinary citizens were all involved in the help. There were also many demonstrations of solidarity with Ukraine in various cities.
The war forced them to leave their homes, their loved ones, and friends and start a new life in a foreign country. They often felt helpless, talking about the hardships of their journey and what they had lost. Some of them chose to return to their country, driven by a deep longing for their loved ones, finding that the stark reality of war was in some ways less complex than life in emigration. Those who chose life outside Ukraine actively participate in initiatives to help their country, thus supporting those bravely fighting on the front and defending their homes.
The photographs were taken in Poland.
The long journey by train or bus, along with hours of waiting in lines at the border, led to immense exhaustion. Warsaw, 12.03.2022
The group of volunteers Nets for UA, which is involved in making camouflage nets, encourages participation during various events related to Ukraine. Volunteers are standing at attention while singing the Ukrainian anthem. Poznań, Poland 23.04.2023
In the early days of the war, many Polish cities hosted peaceful demonstrations and protests. In Poznań, people most frequently gathered at Freedom Square and near the Russian consulate. Poznań, 26.02.2022
The evacuation separated families – men aged 18-65 years could not leave the country due to military conscription. The photo shows a pair of teenagers saying goodbye before their separation. Poznań, 25.03.2022
During war, medications are just as essential as water and food. At the Poznań protest, they were collected for soldiers and those who remained in the country. A girl is holding a sign that reads “Medications here”. Poznań, 26.02.2022
People who have come to Poland try to continue their hobbies. Julianna, dressed as an angel, is preparing for a performance at Freedom Square in a play titled “Hope of the Slavic Stable.” Poznań, 09.12.2022
A performance at Mickiewicz Square in Poznań was organised by a group of volunteers from the Angels’ Headquarters and Maria Andruchiw from the Socio-Cultural Association “Poland – Ukraine”, to draw attention to the war crimes committed by the Russians, including those in Bucha. Poznań, 09.04.2022
During the event, organised by the grassroots Ukrainian initiative MAF, it was possible to get a tattoo and contribute to a fundraising effort for the organisation Musicians Defend Ukraine. Poznań, 23.06.2023
Anti-Russian demonstrations were accompanied by sadness and tears. News from the country fighting against the aggressor escalated the fervour of the protests. Poznań, 26.02.2022
Phones proved to be crucial during the journey – they allowed people to contact their family, look for information, or check news from their country. At stations and aid points, it was possible to buy a SIM card and charge the phone battery. Warsaw, 12.03.2022
Often, the first Polish city that refugees reached was Przemyśl, where their journey into the heart of the country began. Volunteers are preparing stuffed animals for children before the arrival of the night train from Przemyśl. Poznań, 25.03.2022
At the Poznań railway station, the fire brigade set up tents where freezing refugees could warm up. A firefighter is showing where the elevator is for people using wheelchairs. Poznań, 25.03.2022
During their escape, many people brought their beloved pets with them. At train stations and aid centres, you could often see dogs, cats, and other pets. Poznań, 05.03.2022
Places where help could be obtained were established very quickly and efficiently, often in schools, auditoriums, or sports halls. In Poznań, help could be found, among other locations, in the halls of the Poznań International Fair. Poznań, 05.03.2022
Thanks to donors and volunteers, warehouses with humanitarian aid were filled with essential items for those who had to leave all their belongings in a country engulfed by war. Poznań, 05.03.2022
Memories were captured in the digital albums in mobile phones – Hanna is showing a photo of her son playing. Poznań, 19.02.2023
Ukrainian airports were closed, and scheduled flights were cancelled. People searched for buses or trains to leave the country. Warsaw, 12.03.2022
Many people had to travel thousands of kilometres to find a safe place. A mother with her daughter is sleeping on a coach heading to Spain. Warsaw, 12.03.2022
Ukrainian youth are raising money for bird feed. Poznań, 07.10.2022
Tatiana is hugging her son before his birthday party. The boy is about to turn one year old. Swarzędz, 01.10.2023
Jarosław Jan Hemmerling (born 1992) – a documentary photographer. Born in Poznań, he works in programming and IT. He has been passionate about photography for over 15 years. He prefers long-term documentary projects in which he delves into the subject and gets to know the perspective of the protagonists of his reports. He acquired knowledge about documentary and reportage from Mariusz Forecki at the Poznań-based PIX.HOUSE foundation. Winner of the Wielkopolska Press Photo (2021) for the series "Night Flights" in the category “Human and His Passions”. His photos were exhibited in the group exhibition “We Are with You. Poznanians to Ukrainians” (2022).