He will talk of his experiences and his new book at the Southern Oregon Photographic Association meeting March 18 in Medford
By Jim Flint for Ashland.news
Ashland photographer Christopher Briscoe has returned to Ukraine for the fourth time, once again immersing himself in the stories of a nation enduring war with remarkable resilience.
With each journey, he uncovers deeper layers of courage, meeting people whose lives have been reshaped by conflict yet remain filled with unwavering strength. Through his lens, he continues to document not just the hardships of war, but the humanity and hope that endure.
Briscoe will give a presentation about his work in Ukraine at a March 18 meeting of the Southern Oregon Photographic Association. The talk will begin at 7 p.m. at the meeting hall of Medford United Church of Christ, 1801 E. Jackson St. It is open to the public, with no admission fee.
New book in offing
After his first visit to Ukraine, Briscoe wrote “The Child on the Train: And Other Stories in War-Torn Ukraine,” an illustrated book delving into the harrowing and inspiring stories he encountered at the onset of the war. His next book, “The Women of Ukraine,” is being self-published this month.
Briscoe is by no means a “tourist” grabbing snapshots in a country at war.
“Ukraine isn’t just a place I visit,” he said. “It’s a part of me now. I’ll keep returning as long as there are stories to tell.”
The journey has stripped away any illusions he had about what really matters.
“It’s deepened my sense of responsibility as a storyteller. I don’t just report, I carry these stories with me.”
President Donald Trump’s stance on Ukraine has introduced uncertainty and confusion into the situation.
“Ukrainians see American support as the difference between survival and defeat,” Briscoe said. “They follow every shift in U.S. policy because they know what’s at stake. The idea of America turning its back on them isn’t just political, it’s personal. And despite everything, many here still believe in the values America once stood for. The question is whether America still does.”
Not just about land
Briscoe sees Ukrainians fighting for their identity, not just their land.
“There is an intense clarity in their purpose,” he said. “Despite the horror of war, they’ve held onto humor, kindness, and an unshakable sense of belonging to something greater than themselves.”
Through his writing and photography, Briscoe tries to balance capturing the harsh realities of war while also focusing on resilience and hope.
“War is brutal, but so is the refusal to be broken by it,” he said. “I try not to shy away from the pain, but I also look for moments of defiance — an amputee playing soccer, a cafe owner rebuilding her business after a missile strike, or a little boy singing on a street corner to raise money for the troops on the front.
“If Russia is trying to erase people, I want to capture how Ukrainians refuse to disappear,” he said.
Chronicling the pain
The hardest part is doing justice to people’s pain.
“Like spending time with a soldier struggling with PTSD who is unable to stop crying,” he said. “Or the young woman who had her leg blown off, now in a hospital bed, practicing her drumming skills on a pad wedged between her thighs. These aren’t just stories, they’re lives.”
There is another responsibility he takes seriously:
“I wrestle with every word to make sure I’m honoring them, not exploiting them.”
The new book, “The Women of Ukraine,” was born out of necessity.
“Women aren’t just enduring this war, they’re shaping it,” Briscoe said. “They’re snipers, drone operators. medics, mothers, widows, resistance fighters and survivors. Their stories needed their own space.”
Why Ukraine?
How did Briscoe end up in Ukraine? It was a circuitous route over the span of several years that included visits to Cambodia, India and Africa.
“I wanted to expand my horizons,” he said.
And then three weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine, he was invited to join a group of medical professionals going to Poland on a humanitarian mission to help refugees.
“My role was to document their work and the chaotic crossing at the Medyka border station, where thousands of families fled,” he said.
At one point, he was struck by the sight of many Ukrainians pulling their suitcases in the opposite direction, back into Ukraine. They wanted their land, their houses and their old lives back, so they were going home, even if it meant they might have to leave again.
At the end of March of 2022, when the medical team disbanded to return to their homes and practices, Briscoe canceled his plane ticket back.
He told a friend, “How can I leave with so many heartbreaking and inspiring stories yet to be told?”
He crossed the border, despite being warned about $10,000 bounties offered for Americans, and never looked back.
Briscoe’s books are available at local bookstores and online through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other sites. For more information about the Southern Oregon Photographic Association, visit sopacameraclub.com.
Freelance writer Jim Flint is a retired newspaper publisher and editor. Email him at [email protected].
