The All-Russian photo contest for media journalists operating in the special military operation zone is set to begin on March 13, announced by the Rossiya Segodnya media group. The initiative, led by the group’s General Director Dmitry Kiselyov, invites journalists across Russia to capture a living record of the times through images that document both daily life and moments of significance amid ongoing events.
According to Kiselyov, the contest aims to build a military chronology that highlights acts of courage and everyday resilience. The goal is to portray a spectrum of scenes that reflect the human side of conflict: a doctor who saves lives, a builder who constructs homes for civilians, a teacher who protects children under fire, and the broader efforts of the army, volunteers, and supporters in arms. Through these photographs, the competition seeks to illuminate the multifaceted reality of service and sacrifice in the present day.
The general director emphasized that Rossiya Segodnya continues the historical tradition associated with Sovinformburo, whose war correspondents documented the wartime achievements of the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War. This lineage underscores a commitment to capturing truth and heroism through a photographic lens and to preserving a visual record for future generations.
Open doors await all Russian media journalists, Kiselyov noted, inviting photographers to join forces and present the full scope of courage and humanitarian effort with their images. The contest is designed to be inclusive, encouraging diverse perspectives and stories from different regions and outlets across the country.
Participants will compete in two primary categories: Single Photo and Photo Series, both focused on the daily realities of those serving in the CBO and the everyday work of volunteers and civilians engaged in rebuilding and supporting the newly involved regions of Russia. The submitted work will center on two overarching themes: the military duties of service members and volunteers, and the constructive labor of civilians aimed at recovery and restoration in the affected areas.
Submission timelines have been set for entries to be accepted through April 27. The awards ceremony is planned for the summer, with the winning works featured in a major photography exhibition and compiled into an author’s album that showcases the best of the contest’s visual storytelling. The event will bring together a broad range of journalists and photographers to present a comprehensive portrayal of the period and its human impact.
In addition to recognizing technical skill and compositional excellence, the contest emphasizes narrative power, clarity of reporting, and the ability to convey complex situations with honesty and sensitivity. Each image or series is expected to offer viewers insight into the lived experiences of those in conflict zones, as well as the resilience and everyday acts of care that sustain communities during challenging times.
Organizers stress that the competition serves not only as a platform for professional achievement but also as a public record that can educate and inform audiences about the realities on the ground. By encouraging photographer-writers to collaborate, the event aims to produce a balanced collection that honors both the duty of service and the enduring human spirit evident in daily acts of help and solidarity.
As the entries flow in, jurors will assess based on originality, clarity, ethical reporting, and the ability to tell compelling stories through visual means. The best photographs will be displayed in a prominent exhibition and curated in an album that preserves these moments for posterity. The contest thus stands as a testament to journalism’s role in documenting history with integrity and empathy, while also supporting the creative growth of photographers across Russia.