18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Raisa Denysenko’s prayer

Glass from shattered windows crackles under Raisa’s small waddling steps as she slowly walks towards the ruins of the neighboring house. Her friend Mariya died in that house. Raisa delivers bursts of lamentations and weeps, as she starts praying.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 12.2019
Date Uploaded: 10.2020
Photo Location: Opytne, Ukraine
Copyright: © Jakub Laichter