The Atlantic Reserve Officers Union organizes a large-scale cultural event that will present an alternative view of the military actions in Ukraine. The photographic exhibition "War Through Two Lenses: Where Silence Screams" will be opened on July 11, 2025, at the House of Science and Technology in Plovdiv.
The initiative is a joint project of the Embassy of Ukraine in Bulgaria, the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Plovdiv, and the NTS with DNT - Plovdiv association. The official presentation will be performed by key diplomatic figures - Ambassador Olesia Ilashchuk, Colonel Vilis Tsurov, chairman of the Reserve Officers Union "Atlantic", and Honorary Consul Dimitar Georgiev.
The works of two photographers are of exceptional interest - Bulgarian journalist Rumen Sarandev and ethnic Bulgarian from Ukraine Alexander Baron. Their photos are divided into two thematic parts: the first directly documents the front line, and the second reveals the human everyday life in the occupied cities of Odesa, Kherson, and Mykolaiv.
Through the exhibition, visitors will be able to feel the authentic atmosphere of the war - from the harsh reality to the small human moments of hope. The shots show how people maintain their vitality through playing chess, music, and youthful spirit, even amid the constant threat of air raids.
Colonel Vilis Tsurov analyzes the current military situation, emphasizing the exceptional dynamics of the conflict. According to him, Russian forces continue their offensive, but Ukrainians demonstrate exceptional resistance. The temporary suspension of American weapon supplies has caused complete mobilization among the Ukrainian population.
Tsurov's expert forecast is that the front line will stabilize by the end of summer, but a ceasefire is not expected in the near future. He is adamant that Ukraine will not surrender and will create serious challenges for the Russian army, which is already experiencing resource limitations.
In a geopolitical context, the colonel sees the war as a turning point for regional security. Support from the European Union and the United Kingdom will allow Ukraine not only to withstand but also to strengthen NATO's positions in the Balkans.
As a key conclusion, Tsurov points out that Ukraine's success will cause historical changes, resolve long-standing geopolitical issues, and make NATO a more powerful military alliance. The country's path to Euro-Atlantic structures is defined as irreversible.
The exhibition aims to bring public attention back to the war and show the human dimension of the conflict through documentary photographs that speak more than words.