Captured prisoners of war are allowed to work in workshops, making garden furniture, gazebos, summer houses, and Christmas trees. POWs are not required to work but may choose to participate in the program to fill their time. Their wages comply with the Geneva Conventions, and with the money they earn, they can buy goods in the camp shop, such as cigarettes, Snickers bars, and Coke.

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Inside ZAPAD1, The Human Side of War

In the heart of Western Ukraine lies ZAPAD1, the largest prisoner-of-war camp designated for Russian soldiers and their allies who were captured during the ongoing war. This facility, stark in its simplicity yet comprehensive in its amenities, stands as a testament to Ukraine’s commitment to international humanitarian standards, even amidst the ravages of war.

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Marcin Kruk

freelance photographer

Marcin Kruk (b. 1982) lives and works in Poland. With a background in Archival and Historical Studies, he currently studies Photography at the Institute of Creative Photography in Opava, Czech Republic. A Fujifilm Poland ambassador, Kruk is also a member of the Archive of Public Protest (A-P-P). His practice revolves around a series of long-term documentary projects.