Frontline Rolls: Ukrainian soldiers document their lives at the front on film

Frontline Rolls is a photographic project by Ukrainian photographer Serhii Melnychenko that began in February 2025. Melnychenko sent disposable film cameras to soldiers serving on the front lines, asking them to document their daily lives and routines. The project, published as a photobook and exhibited with photographs, handwritten letters, and artifacts returned by the participants, won the PhMuseum 2026 Photography Grant Main Prize in 2026.

The Ukraine War Archive claims that Russia's war against Ukraine is the most documented war in history, and Frontline Rolls presents this history from the soldiers' own perspectives. Through photographs, letters, and chosen objects, the project offers a unique view of the conflict.

Serhii's inspiration for the project came from his work on Along the Dnipro in 2024. Unable to travel to soldiers' positions, Melnychenko wondered if he could document their experiences without being physically present. He concluded that the soldiers themselves could provide the most authentic documentation of their lives.

To facilitate this, Melnychenko reached out to Fotovramci, who agreed to provide soldiers with disposable film cameras, free of charge. The cameras, along with the exposed film, were returned to Melnychenko, who captured the soldiers' daily lives and the spaces they served in.

The photographs in Frontline Rolls depict various aspects of life on the front lines, including Ukrainian service members inside dugouts, working on equipment, and traveling in military vehicles. Participants also shared their stories within the book, providing personal insights into their motivations for joining the fight and the challenges they face.

One participant, Oleksii "Lapa," expressed his reasons for joining the Ukrainian military, stating that he joined to protect his family and his country's freedom. Another participant, Viktor Holikov, known as Holikov, explained his decision to join the ranks of the 109th Separate Brigade of Territorial Defence, emphasizing his commitment to Ukraine's independence.