It is always challenging to work in a place that is under neverending shelling — whether you collect testimonies of those on the site of a missile strike or document the daily life of a small, partially destroyed city. It is destruction and death everywhere. Yet, despite these challenges, I continue to write, driven by the understanding that journalists are preserving vital historical accounts for future generations. One day, these stories will become part of our collective memory.
Currently, my main topics are the stories of soldiers, volunteers, reports from shelling sites, the needs of veterans, inclusivity, and recovery. Working with these topics is exhausting, and the constant danger to myself and my loved ones adds to the stress. Living in a frontline city also requires caution, not only for myself but also in the selection of materials for publication because some information can put people’s lives in danger.
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Cooperate with Yulia
During my studies at the university, I got a clear vision of why journalism is important and how I want to contribute to it.. Among my professors were individuals with a strong pro-Ukrainian stance, who demonstrated their courage by expressing these views during times when it was dangerous to do so. I aspired to be like them, or at the very least, to share the stories of those who displayed such bravery. Over time, I came to deeply believe in the power of impactful storytelling, which led me to join the Tsukr media team. I was drawn to their commitment to highlighting initiatives that contribute to the growth of the city and region, as well as publishing materials focused on local history.
Journalist, deputy editor-in-chief of Tsukr.
As a journalist of the а city-based online magazine about Sumy, a city in northern Ukraine, located 30 km from the front line, Opanasenko gives voice to stories and people of her hometown.
Yulia
Opanasenko
Today, amid the war, stories like that of the Krychevsky brothers have taken a back seat, as art gives way to Russian aggression and constant threat to life — or at least it feels that way. That’s why my work now focuses on documenting Ukrainian soldiers' and volunteers' lives, frontline everyday life, veterans' needs, inclusion, and recovery.