National Union of Journalists of Ukraine urges international response to destruction of six Kyiv media offices

The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) has urged international organizations to react to the damage inflicted on newsrooms and media facilities in Kyiv as a result of a massive Russian missile and drone attack.

According to NUJU, at least six newsrooms and media outlets have reported damage to their offices, studios, or workspaces. Journalists and their family members are among those impacted.

The following were damaged in the attack:

• Deutsche Welle. A blast wave damaged the Kyiv bureau’s office. Windows and ceilings were damaged. The team was unharmed and continues to work.
• ARD. The German public broadcaster’s studio in Kyiv was damaged. Journalist Vasyl Holod reported shattered window frames, debris, and damaged equipment.
• Realna Hazeta. The editorial office of the media outlet, which had relocated from Luhansk Oblast, suffered serious damage. According to Editor-in-Chief Andriy Dikhtyarenko, “not a single window remained intact” in the building, but all team members are safe.
• UNIAN. The news agency’s office was damaged. Editor-in-Chief Mykhailo Hannytskyi posted a photo of the shattered windows with the caption: “It’s okay. We’ll fix it.”
• Hraty. A blast wave damaged the editorial office and audio studio of the online media outlet, which specializes in justice, the judicial system, and human rights. Editor-in-Chief Tetiana Kozak reported damage to the ceiling and windows in the building.
• Shelter. After the media project’s office and studio were damaged, the team has already announced that it is resuming operations.

NUJU has also received reports from journalists in Kyiv about damaged or destroyed homes. In particular, according to the union, the home of the Zakharchenko couple — Artem Zakharchenko, a writer and lecturer at the Educational and Research Institute of Journalism at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, and writer Olena Zakharchenko — was destroyed.

The union stated that it is recording crimes committed against journalists and media outlets and notifying international partners, including the European Federation of Journalists, the International Federation of Journalists, and human rights and media organizations.

NUJU also urged journalists and newsrooms whose offices, workspaces, or homes were damaged in the attack to reach out for assistance. If necessary, they can use the space at the Kyiv Center for Journalistic Solidarity, part of NUJU’s offices on Khreshchatyk Street, as a temporary workspace. NUJU will also assist with documenting the aftermath of the strike and coordinating support for affected newsrooms and journalists.

The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) is the largest journalists’ organization in Ukraine. It currently has around 10,000 members (as of February 2022 – 19,000 members). The Union has branches in all regions of Ukraine.

The NUJU was registered on 9 June 1992. Since then, the organization has been operating continuously. Even at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Union did not suspend its activities and provided continuous assistance to Ukrainian and foreign journalists.

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Main image: Realna Hazeta Facebook page

Copyediting: Sheri Liguori