A charity photo exhibition that documents the devastating effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is on display to the public at Edge Hill University.

The University has fostered strong links with Ukraine, partnering with Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University in 2022 as part of Universities UK’s Twin for Hope campaign – a drive to ensure universities in the country survive and emerge stronger from the war.

Ukraine: The Price of Freedom was previously displayed at the House of Commons and is now on show at the university’s Ormskirk campus on weekdays 8am–6pm.

Dr Jennifer Giblin, Associate Head of the School of Law, Criminology and Policing, has worked closely with the University’s partners in Ukraine.

She said: “We are honoured to host this exhibition from photographers of an international standing. Edge Hill has fostered meaningful and long-lasting links with Ukraine and the human impact of the war there is heartbreaking.”

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, tens of thousands of people have been killed or injured on both sides and millions of people have fled their homes.

The exhibition, which has also been hosted in Germany, Ukraine, New Zealand, Japan and Ireland, features photographs by international award-winning photographers documenting the devastating conflict during the first year and a half of Russia's invasion.

The display aims to illustrate the spirit of the Ukrainian people in the face of death and destruction and the horrors of war.

The collection features work by photographers who have won international awards, including: Evgen Maloletka (two Pulitzer Prizes and Guardian Photographer of the Year, 2023), Serhiy Korovayny (James Foley Award for Conflict Reporting 2022), Dmytro Kozatsky (The Prix de la Photographie, Paris, 2022) and Rodrigo Abd (Pulitzer Prizes 2013, 2023).

The photographs depict the destruction of Mariupol, the heroic resistance of the defenders of the Azovstal steel plant, the large-scale battle for Bakhmut and the tragic consequences of the environmental disaster that followed Russia's destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023.

Portraits of Ukrainian soldiers, doctors and firefighters in dramatic moments of their military and everyday life also feature.

Edge Hill’s connections with Ukraine were recently boosted with the award of an £80,000 grant to launch a dual degree programme with Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University.

It is the second award Edge Hill has secured as part of the twinning partnership programme with the Kharkiv-based institution after an award of £100,000 in March 2023.

Donations collected during the exhibitions will be sent to the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation for humanitarian assistance to residents of the de-occupied regions of Ukraine.