Post by De Sheng Lim

Pavlo Shmulevych is a Ukrainian economist, researcher, civil society advocate, and survivor representing ALUMNI, a network of Ukrainian men who survived captivity and torture in Russian-occupied Ukraine. In late June 2026, Pavlo and Anhelina joined Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Kostin and Markiyan Kliuchkovskyi, Executive Director of the Register of Damage for Ukraine, for a panel discussion advocating a survivor-centred approach. They emphasized the importance of survivors like themselves helping to shape and inform the compensation mechanisms that directly affect their lives. Pavlo also spoke about the need for survivors to have the time and space to heal before they are ready to engage. After the portrait session, I had the opportunity to speak with Pavlo over dinner. During our conversation, I discovered his lifelong passion for kite flying and his deep involvement with the Ukrainian Kite Association. I learned about the different categories of wind that reflect Ukraine's varied microclimates; sea wind, river wind, forest wind, and the rather evocative-sounding steppe wind. As our conversation drew to a close, I found myself hoping that one day kites might once again flutter across the Ukrainian plains. For now, though, attack drones and interceptor drones remain the reality of those same skies. I'm grateful to the REDRESS team for entrusting me with photographing Pavlo and Anhelina. Thank you also to Nina de Raadt for providing invaluable photography assistance. For more information, please visit https://lnkd.in/eEFMCNeG