Lynne Minion, Standing, Defiant (SINGLE SHOT 2024)

This photograph was taken on November 28, 2023, at the Australian War Memorial. It features Ukrainian combat medic Yuliia 'Taira' Paievska standing in front of an Australian Army ‘Bushmaster’. Taira is globally recognised for filming bodycam footage in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol as it was being systematically destroyed by Russian bombing in the early days of the invasion in 2022. She managed to get a memory card containing her footage to an Associated Press crew which smuggled it out in a tampon. A day later, Taira was captured by Russian forces, held prisoner and tortured. Meanwhile, her footage was shown around the world, alerting the world to the suffering in Mariupol. Taira was released in a prisoner exchange months later and is now an envoy for Ukraine. Her footage featured in the documentary '20 Days in Mariupol', which has been recognised with multiple awards, including an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature Film. Taira is also featured in the 'Heart of Invictus' docu-series. Taira came to Australia in 2023 to help raise money for Ukraine and advocate for additional government aid. I volunteered to help organise Taira’s visit and chose the Bushmaster on display at the Australian War Memorial as a meaningful backdrop for an event given its legendary status in Ukraine as an armoured vehicle that rapidly deploys troops within battle. Australia has contributed 120 Bushmasters to Ukraine. During the moving event, I captured this image, which to me showcases Taira's – and Ukraine’s – bravery, strength and defiance, together with Australia’s support.

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