_DSC5651
Ukrainian war veteran Sasha adds the final detail of his costume, the Ukrainian crest, as he transforms into his drag queen persona, “Marlene Scandal,” in a flat in Berlin, Germany, in preparation for Berlin’s gay pride parade, where he was invited to stand on the lead float. Upon arriving in full costume with a self-made prop, Putin’s head on a sword, he was advised that he could not stand on the platform (unless he removed Putin’s head from his costume), as it was too violent. Sasha opted to keep his original costume and march on the ground. Her costume largely consisted of red and black, symbolizing the flag of Ukrainian Nationalism, in addition to the historic Ukrainian Insurgent Army. Photograph taken in Berlin, Germany on July 27, 2024.