CulturePhotographer with Kremlin media ties disqualified from German photography prize after backlash

A photographer described as linked to Kremlin media has been disqualified from a German photography prize following backlash. The award committee has not yet issued a public explanation for the decision. In an Instagram post, Valery Melnikov said representatives of the award referred to him as a “Kremlin-media-linked photographer.” That wording also appears in the Kyiv Independent article’s headline about his work.

German photography prizeValery MelnikovKremlin-linked media

TThe Kyiv Independent★★☆☆☆2026-08-11 17:03Original