Russian war crimes exhibit at Davos reveals civilian toll in Ukraine

As the 2022 World Economic Forum begins in the tiny ski village of Davos, Switzerland, the war in Ukraine is not only top of mind but also on display in the heart of this Alpine town.

Ukrainian businessman and philanthropist Victor Pinchuk is funding the installation of thousands of images captured during the bloodiest days of Russia’s invasion and war. Called “Russian War Crimes House,” the exhibit is located in the same building previously known as “Russia House,” a place where oligarchs once entertained forum attendees.

The Russian delegation was not invited to this year’s gathering because of the ongoing war, so the Victor Pinchuk Foundation and PinchukArtCentre seized the opportunity to convert the space into an awareness campaign about civilian deaths in Ukraine.

The exhibit includes more than 4,600 images collected over the past several weeks, according to Artistic Director Björn Geldhof.

“We are battling also against misinformation, and one of the things we need to share is what really goes on. And this is what this exhibition is about,” Geldhof told GZERO Media.

Organizers hope the estimated 2,000 public and private sector leaders gathered in Davos this week will stop by to see the photos and take their message home.

This is “not only about survival of Ukraine. Ukraine is defending those values that we stand for,” Geldhof said. “And if we want these values to survive Ukraine, needs to be victorious.”