Ukraine-based content platform launches a free resource of images of Russia’s war in Ukraine for anyone to use

Vista’s Depositphotos, a Ukraine-based content platform, has launched a free image collection, Say No to War, detailing the “brutal truth of what’s happening in Ukraine, as well as images of protests from around the world and inside of Russia”, says the Depositphotos team. Depositphotos states that readers worldwide can use these photos for social media posts, blogs, or any editorial needs to “spread the truth about what is happening in Ukraine”.

“The Russian government propaganda machine is in overdrive, spreading disinformation to its citizens about what’s really happening across their border while Ukrainian civilians are dying, and homes, schools, orphanages and hospitals are being bombed,” says the Depositphotos team. While the images from Say No to War can be shared by anyone, in an effort to urge its Russian customer base to spread the truth about the war through concrete actions, Vadim Nekhai, VP at VistaCreate and Depositphotos, sent out an email sharing the collection. Nekhai outlined four requests in the email: “Watch news from reputable international media; Call your friends and relatives in Ukraine, find out the situation first hand; Spread ONLY truthful information; Go out to the streets of your cities with peaceful protests, say ‘No to war!’ – as loudly as possible.”

The collection is available on the Depositphotos site. Images are accompanied by captions such as: “empty shelves in Kiev grocery stores”, “people with Ukrainian anti war placards participate in a protest against Russian invasion in Ukraine [in Poland, Krakow]”, and “volunteers prepare Molotov cocktails in one of the local park[s] in Uzhhorod”.

Say No to War features images from Depositphotos contributors who responded to a letter from the platform asking them to upload content about the Russian war in Ukraine. Depositphotos are also looking for photographers who have not previously contributed but shoot similar content. In addition, Depositphotos partnered with the Ukrainian press agency to distribute its photos through the platform. “We have made these collections completely free, so that everyone can access and use these materials,” explains the Depositphotos team. “These are terrible crimes against the entire independent world and as many people as possible should know about it.”

Nekhai’s email to Depositphotos’ Russian customers continues: “We urge you to please not close your eyes to what is going on! This bloody war is not only a threat to the freedom of Ukraine, it is a direct threat to freedom of speech, finance, and movement. The threat to the identity of each of you, each citizen of Russia, who did not start this war, but will continue to do nothing.”