A photo of a heavily pregnant woman fleeing a bombed maternity hospital became one of the most iconic images of the war in Ukraine. But its subject was targeted by an extraordinary Russian disinformation campaign and she received hate from both sides.Wrapped in a duvet with her forehead bloodied, Marianna Vyshemirsky’s image was seen around the world.The photo above was taken in the aftermath of a Russian airstrike in Mariupol. It circulated online, on newspaper front pages, and was argued about at the UN Security Council.But, having survived one attack, Marianna faced another onslaught – of disinformation and hate aimed at her and her family.As Russia attempted to sow falsehoods about the attack, 29-year-old Marianna was falsely accused of “acting”. Russian diplomats even claimed that she had “played” not one, but two different women.I’ve spoken extensively to her friends and relatives, but have been trying to interview my namesake for weeks. So when she finally […]
‘My picture was used to spread lies about the war’
