A war broke out between the two countries with the military operation Russia launched against Ukraine in the past few days. Like all the images reflected from the war, the photographs of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenski, taken by the Turkish Photojournalist of UK-based Reuters, Ümit Bektaş, became one of the unforgettable moments of the war.
Umit Bektas @Reuters
Russian army, President Vladimir PutinIt started operations within the borders of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, by order of . With the release of the video recording that Putin ordered the military operation, Russian forces started ground and air operations in cities such as Kharkov, Odessa, Kherson, and moved to the capital of Ukraine, Kiev. until it came. This is the 8th day we left behind fight The beginning, that is, on February 24, 2022, passed into world history.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky On the other hand, he gave an interview to the western media after the Russian Defense Ministry’s statement that they would hit some government buildings in Ukraine. In this interview, Reuters Photojournalist by Ümit Bektaş reflected in the lens Zelenski’s photosbecame one of the most talked about topics all over the world. Bektaş, about this war that shook the whole world What they experienced and observed in Ukraine Shared with Webtekno. Bektaş, Zelenski’s most talked about behind the scenes of your photos also told.
‘Now the streets of Kyiv are empty, a city full of fear with sirens sounding’
Umit Bektas @Reuters
- What have you observed since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, what were the images that upset you the most?
I’ve been in Kiev for three weeks. Despite the tension and cold weather when I arrived, it was a lively city where young people had fun on the streets and people filled its streets. When the Russian invasion began then the weather changed completely. Now, the streets of Kyiv are empty, the sirens are ringing, the markets are closed, and it is a fearful city that has problems in basic products such as food and gasoline. There are concrete barriers on the streets. Military checkpoints have been set up on the streets.
‘The Ukrainian people will fight for their country until the end’
- What is the motivation of the Ukrainian people, do you think they will give up? What do they think of the course of his war and his leaders, Zelenski?
Ukraine doesn’t seem like a nation that will give up with its women or men. Are the armed people in Kiev afraid? Of course yes. Who is not afraid of war? But if the job has come to the point of defending their homeland and city, I don’t think they will run away. They will fight for their country until the end. The Ukrainian people have already proven this when they were fighting for democracy almost 10 years ago. They will not give up.
‘I thought Zelensky would be in the bunker, but…’
Umit Bektas @Reuters
- Zelenski’s photograph you took became one of the unforgettable moments of the war. Can you tell the story of this photo?
Some of the Russian Ministry of Defense in Kyiv hit government buildings The meeting took place in the Presidential Building of Ukraine after he made a statement. A building in the so-called ‘Government District’ of Kiev. There are also many government buildings and parliaments here. Therefore, the region is under tight control. When we reached the checkpoint, we were told, we were taken by car from there and taken to the palace. The interview took place on the ground floor of the palace. A blackout residence with soldiers guarding behind sandbags in the corridors. It was an interview that lasted about 45 minutes. As I was leaving, I honestly thought that the meeting would take place in a shelter and/or a secret residence. On the contrary, we had the interview right behind the main entrance of the palace.
‘Zelenski said he doesn’t see his kids every day’
Umit Bektas @Reuters
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What do you think is Zelenski’s motivation and psychology, how did you see him, what did he tell you?
While I was waiting for someone more nervous, I saw a confident, relaxed president. He’s funny and kind to those around him. He answered all our questions. It was a long interview. He said that he could not see his children every day and that they had last seen three days ago.
‘It is certain that there is a Ukrainian/Ukrainian perception that is not based on accurate information and takes shape on social media’
Umit Bektas @Reuters
- What are the facts you see about this war, contrary to what is being conveyed on social media? Can we say that there is a ‘Social media fallacy’ all over the world?
Everyone can evaluate a country differently from their own political point of view. Everyone’s perspective on people is different. And no matter what I say, it is certain that people have a Ukrainian/Ukrainian perception that is based on interpretation rather than information, without direct knowledge, and which takes shape on social media. Of course, I can’t make deep sociological analyzes in a place where I’ve been staying for three weeks, but what I see is that Ukrainians are good people. I also know that people here or anywhere in the world do not deserve to be driven from their homes, become refugees, die or be injured.