Urban Barricades In Ukraine

Photo story by Serhiy Morgunov, editor Nadiia Dryzytska
December, 2024

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,
in the aftermath of the initial missile strikes and shelling, citizens across the country joined forces with municipal workers and military city administrations to construct barricades. Sandbags, anti-tank obstacles, and concrete blocks were swiftly assembled to block enemy advances and shield critical buildings and structures from destruction. These efforts were often spontaneous, with ordinary residents and volunteers filling sandbags on city beaches and stacking them around monuments to create protective barriers. The use of sandbags as protective structures has a long history, dating back to the First World War.

They were used during the Second World War as a simple and accessible method of fortification and continue to serve the same purpose in Ukraine today.

Ukrainian photographer Serhiy Morgunov captured how cities across Ukraine fortified themselves in the spring of 2022.

Workers are covering the shared monument to Princess Olha, St. Andrew the First-Called, and the educators Cyril and Methodius with sandbags. Kyiv, March 31, 2022.

Anti-tank obstacles and sandbags on Deribasivska street, the main central street of Odesa. March 28, 2022.

A roadway in central Kyiv barricaded with concrete blocks, anti-tank obstacles, and sandbags. March 31, 2022.

Protective structures made of sandbags. Kyiv, August 2022.

Anti-tank obstacles on the roadway. Dnipro city, September 2022.

Protective structures made of sandbags, Kharkiv region, 22 July, 2022.

The facade of the Opera and Ballet Theater in Odesa, covered with sandbags. Odesa, March 28, 2022.

The sand-reinforced stairs near the “Peace” and “Labor” sculpture group and the Dnipro metro station. Kyiv, August 3, 2022.

The entrance to an electronics store. The glass facade was reinforced with sandbags to prevent shards. Dnipro city, July 28, 2022.

Protective structures made of sandbags on the embankment in Kharkiv. July 22, 2022.

A protective trench was dug between a children’s playground and the road, near Sviatoshyn Forest Park. Kyiv region, Moshchun village, May 26, 2022.

As of today, most of the existing barricades in Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipro have dismantled. Some of the blocks and anti-tank obstacles have been repurposed to reinforce defensive positions closer to the front lines. Sculptures and architectural objects remain hidden under developed standardized monument shelters.

Serhiy Morgunov is a Ukrainian producer, director, and photographer based in Kyiv. The scope of interest is social anthropology, social transformations, and the search for self-identification in Ukraine. Participated in international group exhibitions, contributing to media and books.