Moscow: Russian photographer Ekaterina Yakl won the grand prize in the 11th edition of the Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest, organized by the Russian news agency Sputnik. The winners were announced during a ceremony held on November 18 at the State Historical Museum in Moscow’s Red Square.

According to Union of OIC News Agencies, the international jury unanimously awarded Ekaterina’s photographic series “Russian Spirit: A Path Through Obstacles” the competition’s top prize, recognizing its artistic and humanistic value. The series tells the story of wounded veterans who have returned to civilian life, yet continue to embody courage, resilience, and inner strength despite their injuries and trauma.

Upon receiving the award, Ekaterina Yakl commented on the essence of heroism, stating, “Heroism is not limited to the battlefields, but extends to the details of daily life. Combat experiences leave a deep mark on many soldiers, and for them, recovering from wounds and injuries means starting anew in many aspects of their lives. Sport plays a crucial role in this journey; it not only helps them regain their physical health but also helps them regain confidence and a sense of purpose after returning home.”

She further elaborated on her work, saying, “I filmed this documentary series during the Challenge for a Hero program at the Orto-Sport Adaptive Sports Center. It is a tribute to its heroes; those who defended their homeland on the front lines, and those who continue to advance bravely and strongly in their civilian lives. This series also participated in the Portrait: Hero of Our Time category.”

In addition to the grand prize, the ceremony also saw the announcement of all the 2025 shortlist winners in various categories. Indonesian Riza Saifullah won first place in the Breaking News – Single Image category for his image “The Rohingya Boat Overturned,” which shows Rohingya refugees waiting for rescue teams after their boat capsized in West Aceh, Indonesia.

Palestinian Abdulrahman Al-Kahlout took first place in the Breaking News – Photo Series category for his series “Gaza: The Aftermath of Genocide,” which provides documentation of the ongoing tragedy in Palestine.

Bangladeshi S.M. Almaztaba Rasool secured first place in the Sports – Single Image category for his work “The Last Race: The Fall of a Champion,” depicting a racehorse that has fallen dead after giving it its all during the race, surrounded by the audience.

The My Planet category also became the most popular in the competition, with Chinese artist Mingdan Gu winning first place for his photograph “Fruit Trees Inside Tents,” which shows Chinese farmers erecting tents over plum trees to protect them from harsh weather conditions.

In the My Planet – Photo Series category, Bahraini Mustafa Abdulhadi won first prize for his series documenting scenes from the annual Shiite mourning procession in Karbala, Iraq, commemorating the day of Ashura.

Photojournalists from Myanmar and Russia also won in the “Portrait: Hero of Our Time” category. Myanmar’s Nine Nine Htwe’s photograph, “The Fisherman’s Family,” depicts a man showing his catch to his wife.

“Whispers in Silence” by Russian journalist Pelageya Tikhonova offers a glimpse into the lives of girls in the Nikolo-Solbinsky Monastery, prompting viewers to reflect on how religious institutions influence the formation of identity, and what it means to grow up and learn within such an environment.

The Above Shot – Single Image category saw some of the most striking images in the competition, with the jury awarding first prize to the image “Airplane on a flooded airport runway” by Brazilian photographer Anselmo Cunha dos Santos, which shows an aircraft in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.