Immersion

Immersion is a large-scale documentary photo project about the Russian subculture of military simulation. Milsim brings together people who are seriously interested in military tactical games, reenacting the major armed conflicts of our times: the Afghan, Yugoslav, Chechen and Syrian wars.

The Russian photojournalist Andrey Bezlepkin has immersed himself in the life of the Milsim community for eight years, observing participants transforming themselves into Special Forces soldiers, sappers, police officers and non-combatants, such as reporters, doctors and civilians.

It has taken five years to complete this book about this subculture, which is closed to outsiders. The book features over two hundred photos and eighteen interviews with people who do war games: law enforcement officers, office workers and creative professionals. Milsim not only helps them escape the routine; it also gives them the opportunity to live a different life and even cope with traumatic experiences they have had in reality.

Immersion is a limited edition, collector's photo book. It will be of interest to enthusiasts of documentary photography and those fascinated by the history of modern warfare.