If You Were There: On the Scene in Ukrainian Towns Under the Shadow of War

Special Column of Russian Invasion of Ukraine 2022

An immersive multimedia journalism project for The Reporter (報導者), Taiwan's leading nonprofit investigative news organization.

About the Project

From September to October 2022, The Reporter team traveled to Ukraine to document the aftermath of Russian occupation. They revisited:

  • Kyiv Suburban Villages - Small towns that were once occupied by Russian forces
  • Forest Military Bases - Sites of former military operations
  • Bucha - The town that witnessed devastating war crimes

Through cameras, 360° videos, and multimedia storytelling, readers can witness the scars of war and the ongoing reconstruction efforts.

Key Features

  • 360° Panoramic Views - Immersive experience allowing users to explore war-torn locations
  • Interactive Objects - Clickable elements within scenes for deeper storytelling
  • Audio Integration - Ambient sounds and narration for enhanced immersion
  • Smooth Transitions - Seamless switching between YouTube videos and panorama canvas
  • Mobile-Friendly - Responsive design with landscape mode optimization

Technical Implementation

  • Built with React for component-based architecture and efficient rendering
  • Three.js powers the 360° panoramic views and WebGL-based interactive objects (video demo)
  • Optimized UI flow for better immersive experience
  • Cross-browser support (Chrome 108+, Safari 15.5+, Edge 108+)