Despite the war, Ukrainians are immersing themselves in the Euro 2024 atmosphere.

A Ukrainian boy proudly displays his new national team tracksuit – a gift from his mother ahead of Euro 2024. Behind him, anti-tank hedgehogs are positioned to block tanks on major roads around Odessa's central train station and the Kulykove Pole area. - Photo: RICHARD MORGAN

This can also be seen as a way for the Ukrainian people to express their love for their country and their yearning for peace .

The port city of Odessa, Ukraine, has been struggling in recent days against Russian airstrikes, with air raid sirens blaring incessantly. At the same time, power outages have occurred almost daily.

Documentary and street photographer Richard Morgan has created a series of photographs in the city of Odessa – a crucial shipping hub for Ukrainian exports. This city has been the target of attacks since the Russia-Ukraine conflict erupted in February 2022.

However, the people here remain optimistic and try to find joy by watching Euro 2024, despite the possibility of bombs and bullets raining down at any moment.

Through this series of photographs, photographer Richard Morgan aims to convey a message: even though war still rages and is present in Ukraine, the passion for football, or more broadly, love for one's country, remains constant and will never fade away.

No matter how small and humble that existence may be, Ukrainians have always believed that one day their homeland will be free from the sound of bombs.

A group of Ukrainian schoolchildren are excitedly playing football in front of the Odessa Cathedral, Ukraine - Photo: RICHARD MORGAN

Ukrainians are used to watching the Euro matches every day, but below the screen appeared the message: "Warning! Airborne alert! Odessa region" - Photo: RICHARD MORGAN

Two young Ukrainians excitedly play football on the Black Sea coast ahead of Ukraine's chances at Euro 2024. The beaches in the Odessa region are usually bustling every weekend, after authorities confirmed that landmine threats have significantly decreased. - Photo: RICHARD MORGAN

A Ukrainian child wearing Kylian Mbappe's (France) number 10 jersey takes a break from selling Ukrainian flags on the day of Ukraine's second match at Euro 2024 - Photo: RICHARD MORGAN

A tourist from Mykolaiv (Ukraine) wears a Ukrainian national team jersey and poses for photos next to the paintings - Photo: RICHARD MORGAN

A soldier stands leaning against a Euro 2024 billboard in the port city of Odessa, Ukraine. This is one of the few Euro 2024 billboards on the streets of Odessa, as war has almost completely overshadowed all other street propaganda messages. - Photo: RICHARD MORGAN

Ukrainian citizens stand up and sing the national anthem in a restaurant in the city of Odessa, Ukraine - Photo: RICHARD MORGAN

A Ukrainian girl draped in the national flag eagerly awaits the match between Ukraine and Romania. On the flag, she has written the word "Kherson" in large letters – the name of a city in Ukraine and her hometown. However, this girl was forced to leave her homeland due to Russian airstrikes. - Photo: RICHARD MORGAN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/mac-ke-chien-war-ukraine-people-into-the-euro-2024-air-2024062812155324.htm