Kathmandu— German camera manufacturer Leica has removed Russian photographer Valery Melnikov from consideration for its 2026 Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA) after receiving complaints regarding his affiliation with the Russian RIA Novosti news agency. Melnikov, a three-time World Press Photo winner, had initially been shortlisted for his long-term project ‘Mariupol. Open Wounds,’ which documents civilian life in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol following its capture by Russian forces in 2022; however, Leica reversed this decision citing concerns raised about his employment history and potential political implications.

Project Focus and Initial Recognition

Melnikov’s project ‘Mariupol. Open Wounds’ chronicles the experiences of civilians in Mariupol, a Black Sea port city that saw intense fighting for 85 days before falling under Russian control in May 2022. The Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), where Mariupol is located, subsequently voted to join Russia along with other regions. Leica had initially praised the series for highlighting “the unbearable humanitarian consequences of the war.” Melnikov’s work was selected by the LOBA jury before being removed from contention.

Ukrainian Criticism and Concerns

The complaints against Melnikov originated from Ukrainian photographers and bloggers who labeled him a “Kremlin-media-linked photographer.” Sergey Korovainiy, a Ukrainian photographer covering the conflict, publicly criticized Leica’s initial decision to shortlist Melnikov. According to Melnikov, Leica informed him that the removal was due to photographs taken during his employment with RIA Novosti, despite this information being publicly available and not prohibited by competition rules.

Leica's Communication and Photographer's Response

Melnikov alleges that a Leica AG vice president suggested he voluntarily withdraw his project from consideration, hinting at potential future collaboration. He refused the request and asked for it to be formalized in writing, but the executive declined. Leica has not publicly commented on Melnikov’s account of this conversation. The photographer emphasized that ‘Mariupol. Open Wounds’ is a personal endeavor intended to document events “for ordinary people and for history,” rather than serving political or corporate interests.

The winners of the 2026 Oskar Barnack Award are scheduled to be announced on October 8 in Wetzlar, Germany. The incident highlights growing tensions surrounding artistic expression and national affiliations amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.