RIA Novosti photographer Valery Melnikov’s ‘Paradise Lost’ series from the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war was the best in the ‘Top News/Stories’ nomination of the world’s most prestigious photography award - World Press Photo.
Melnikov shot the photo story called ‘Paradise Lost’, which won gold in that category, during the September-November 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Commenting on his victory in World Press Photo-2021, Melnikov stated that it is honorable and important for the work.
“On the one hand, I am calm, I had the main feelings when the candidates were announced, it was already clear that my work is among the winners. Nevertheless, it is a great honor for me personally and important for my job - to be among the winners of the most important competition for photojournalists. Overall, it was an interesting year for WPP,” he said.