Journalists Struggle to Report Amid Ukraine War
With continued combat in Ukraine, journalists are not merely filing stories from the battlefield—but even becoming part of the story. With missiles falling near press facilities, heightened censorship, and crumbling media infrastructure, the media landscape in Ukraine is being redrawn by war.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, more than a dozen reporters have been killed and dozens injured, regularly covering fighting on the front lines. Ukrainian and international journalists have increasingly become targets—sometimes openly, with Russian forces shelling hotels that have housed the media.
Media workers in occupied territories may be arrested and harassed. One of the detainee said he was handled brutally by Russian officials.
Furthermore, President of the National Union of Journalism in Ukraine (NUJU), Sergei Tomilenko, additionally described the physical and mental struggles his journalists face during these times, noting that his, “main goal is to support (his) colleagues”, for the matter plays a big part with their mental and physical state.
Meanwhile, back in Kyiv, financial pressure and exhaustion are piling up. Almost 80% of Ukrainian journalists interviewed this year say they are suffering from burnout. Hundreds of media outlets have closed or relocated overseas.
Even in free Ukraine, there are growing fears of the government increasing pressure. Journalists report limited access to officials and army sources, and some accuse the authorities of covertly trying to muffle critical reporting.
Despite all these barriers, many Ukrainian journalists continue to operate, putting themselves in harm’s way to enable the world to hear what really is going on.
“This is our front line too,” said a reporter in Kyiv. “We’re not reporting the story—we’re living it.”
Reported by Philip A and Oliver F