Canadian photographer Madison Tuff has put together a short film capturing a day in the life of Vlad Poyansky, a member of the evacuation team at the East SOS Charitable Foundation. Vlad assists individuals in returning to government-controlled territory via the sole checkpoint in the Sumy region, where he hears firsthand accounts of life under occupation and the arduous journey of those rescued.
In late January 2024, Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, reported that approximately 38,000 Ukrainian citizens, including over 3,000 children, had crossed the checkpoint. The team aids them in reaching out to family, arranging logistics, caring for children and animals during document checks, and escorting them to temporary accommodations or evacuation trains.
We extend our gratitude to Madison Tuff for documenting the tireless efforts of the crews. She has participated in our missions in the Donetsk and Sumy regions on more than 20 occasions.
