Dmytro Kozatskyi, who photographed Azovstal defenders, wins French photography award

Dmytro Kozatskyi, a captured Azov regiment soldier (call sign “Orest”), became a Prix de Photographie Paris laureate. The jury awarded him first prize in the Press/War category and second prize in the Press category.

In May, Dmytro informed that along with hundreds of other soldiers, he was captured by Russians. It was then that he shared his photo archive and asked for his works to be submitted to photography contests. “If I win something, I’ll be very happy to know it when I get out,” the soldier wrote. Just a month later, Grand Press Photo 2022 organizers from Poland awarded Dmytro a special diploma for his work. In August, Dmytro made contact for the first time since May. His sister Daria Yurchenko reported that he was alright and stayed in Donetsk.

Prix de la Photographie is a photography award that strives to discover emerging talent. It was established in 2007. Selected works from the contest are exhibited in Paris, and winners’ photos are included in a photo book.