East Village photographer Q. Sakamaki was recently in Ukraine, documenting that Eastern European nation amid the impact of the world economic crisis. The recession has hit the so-called “European periphery” hard, no more so than in Ukraine. Due to its always tumultuous political situation, the economic crisis has precipitated a national crisis in Ukraine.
The country needed support from the International Monetary Fund or it would have defaulted, but even I.M.F. assistance doesn’t ensure Ukraine won’t spiral down further economically — or “implode,” as some fear. On this page, below, Sakamaki photographed a coal factory that was planned to close — and did close — this month. Opposite page, left, a woman passed an ad for a casino.
