Ukrainian, but a journalist first

How did you experience the first day of the Russian invasion?

I visited Sumy, my hometown. I got up at 5 am to take the train back to kyiv. While on the road, I looked at the messages coming from our editor. He explained to us that the military operation – the war – had only just begun.

On the train, I found out that kyiv and Kharkiv were under bombardment. I was afraid I would not be able to get to the capital. The ride was longer, but the train gave up.

What was your level of concern at the time?

On the train, I feel useless. Without a stable Internet connection, it is impossible to check anything or communicate with colleagues and family. I was scared too. In a message, my mother told me that Ukrainian customs officers had been killed by Russian soldiers. My family quickly decided to move away from Sumy.

What was your publisher thinking at the time?

You don’t think about your job when it comes to war in your country. You don’t think the stories will be documented. Think about your family first. For their safety. After that, do your job.

You can hold a weapon like other journalists did. Why continue journalism during the conflict?

We discussed this with colleagues a week before the raid. Then I raised my hand to go to a report near the front lines. At that moment, it was clear in my mind: I wanted to continue to be a journalist in this crisis.

Ukrainian journalists must remain calm and help the whole country remain calm. It should not be affected by propaganda. I am not only thinking of Russian propaganda, but also coming from the authorities of our country.

What aspects of the war did you cover?

At the beginning of March, I was mainly in kyiv, especially for the evacuation of civilians in Irpin. I spent time around this bridge that was destroyed. I am the place where people want to flee. I was in hospitals, in shelters.

When Russian troops left kyiv, I returned to these now liberated towns to see what was happening. Boutcha, Borodyanka, Motyzhyn.

What was your reaction, as a journalist and as a Ukrainian, when you saw what happened in places like Boutcha?

It is not that difficult to see all the destroyed buildings and bodies on the streets. What was really hard was what I saw in the small town of Motyzhyn. There was a common grave. The mayor, his wife, their son and another tortured man were thrown there, their bodies covered in sand.

Most of their bodies are buried, but pieces are coming out. Their loved ones are crying, sitting next to them. My first instinct was to remove the sand and take them by hand to get out. I want to believe they are alive. But they are dead.

I quickly forgot about these types of images. They seem to have disappeared from my mind. I recently watched a video taken in my apartment in kyiv during an artillery attack. It’s very noisy. It’s so scary. I don’t really know how I couldn’t have been more affected. I think my brain will erase all that, otherwise I won’t be able to handle it.

You are a Ukrainian and a journalist, how do you separate your feelings from the facts to be reported?

Hopefully I’m professional enough to do this sorting. This is the very essence of the profession. But after interviews, I often hug people. As a person, I have a responsibility to share their pain, their grief.

Currently, what is happening in Sievierodonetsk scares me. This is one of the topics I addressed. I go there, I know the city, the people. I met the police, soldiers, I went to one of these shelters. I understand what can happen and I am concerned about them.

Before the war, I believed that the Ukrainians of Donbass were different from others. Many Ukrainians think like me. Now I know that there are many towns and villages in the east that are similar to my part of the country. People are the same. I can feel the pain they feel.

I met people who lived for three weeks in a cellar in Sievierodonetsk. They were afraid to go out because of the bombs. I couldn’t understand why they didn’t want to evacuate. Then I remembered that my parents did the same. And I reminded myself that my job was not to convince them to leave, but to listen to them.

Some of the places you visit are dangerous. Why risk your life?

The first time I heard artillery fire, in Sievierodonetsk, I wondered why people didn’t come to the shelters. Then I said to myself: if they are not hiding, why should I be afraid?

I ventured to let people know. Maybe I should be more careful, but curiosity prevails. I don’t do it selfishly. I don’t post pictures of my travels up front on my social media.

I want my reports to show how Ukrainians are experiencing this conflict. Some believe that by speaking Russian and supporting Russophile parties, the people of Donbass urged (President Vladimir) Putin to intervene. Maybe that’s not true.

But can you directly consider the information provided by Ukraine about this conflict?

So far, very little has been verified and verifiable information. We can only deliver what we receive. We try to multiply the sources of information: senior officers, foreign intelligence, etc. We also deliver Russian statements on the number of victims, for example.

Recently, President (Volodymyr) Zelensky said that Ukraine is losing 100 soldiers a day. I spoke to a commander near Sievierodonetsk who told me it was probably higher. We have no overview. Personally, and as a journalist, I want to know more.

My first stay in Donbass made me realize that the situation was not as “victorious” as the official declarations suggest. It made me realize that we need to look at this conflict as a whole.

I see that the government is not saying everything. I understand this because I live in a country at war. But without an overview, people may think that success is within reach. But the current situation instead shows that this war will be long. It’s important to say that.

You and your colleagues have received a special Pulitzer Prize for your courage in the scope of the invasion of Ukraine. How can you receive this honor?

Of course I was glad. My friends are proud of me. But I became even more proud when our editor-in-chief was named one of the magazine’s 100 most influential people. Time.

The Pulitzer, especially it has done to me. This is the first time since February 24 that I have been told that my work is appreciated.

Your job is to talk about the war. But this story doesn’t end at the end of your work day. How do you relax?

I don’t have a day off since February 24. And I don’t think I’ll be taking it before the summer is over. As a journalist, I cannot rest on my laurels in this war.

To distract myself, I run, I listen to music, I cook, I go out with friends. But most of all my encounters with people inspire me. I talk to them and I understand that my work is worth it.

Yes, I still need to sleep. But most of all I want to report that the Ukrainian army liberated Izium or drove out the Russians in Sievierodonetsk. My birthday is coming up. I want to celebrate it not in kyiv, but in a place where the Ukrainian army won. That would be the best gift!

This conversation has been edited and abbreviated for clarity.