Five years ago Ukraine became embroiled in a war that was sometimes a war within itself against separatists, and sometimes against its menacing and powerful neighbor, Russia.
I have been working for the last month and a half documenting this conflict and life on the frontlines and have finally honed in on what to pack when covering the frontline. This is my basic gear bag, not included are the extra batteries (10 total) and the galaxy of extra charging cords, food, and some other odds and ends. (The food is gone cuz i ate all of it fyi)
So here goes:
(Left to right from top to bottom)
1: Domke Shapeshifter 15 camera bag
2: Agency press pass (SOPA)
3: JFO Credential (administered by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense to cross checkpoints and gain access to the combat zone)
4: Passport
5: US military helmet
6: Headlamp
7: Ballistics vest with 2 LVL 4 Ceramic Ballistics plates capable of stopping upto .30-06 armor piercing bullets.
8: Gerber Multi Tool
9: Benchmade pocket knife
10: 13 inch 2018 MacBook Pro
11: Lacie 2 TB harddrive
12: Cf and SD card reader
13: Apple Airpods
14: RODE Pro Shotgun Mic
15: AFS Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 G series
16: Nikkor 24-70mm F2.8 G series
17: Toothbrush and Toothpaste
18: Bandages and tape of assorted sizes
19: Snacks including Ukrainian MRE and dried fruit
20: Extra glasses
21: Apple charger
22: Quick Clot, clotting sponges, suction bandage, and other medical equipment for gunshot wounds and shrapnel wounds.
23: Bandages and ointments: hydrogen peroxide, iodine, dramamine, eyedrops, alcohol, burn ointment, etc.
24: Excedrin, aspirin, tylenol, ibuprofen
25: Nikon D700
26: Nikon D4s
27: 2 iPHONE 6s’s
28: Nikkor 35mm f2 D series
29: Outlet converters and adaptors
30: Surge protector
31: Tourniquet x3 for major blood loss or injury
32: Nikon D4s charger, Nikon D700 charger
As i said earlier this isn’t everything, but this is the core of what I take with me. Being on the frontlines has so far been the most exhausting experience of my life. You sleep little, you are filthy, and you are wet and cold. I also take with me extra socks, if staying overnight at a different position i take my sleeping bag and extra underwear and a sweater.
Here are some images from the front.
Thank you so much for taking a look!