300 journalist groups on the frontline: press officer Ruben Sarukhanian receives NUJU’s award

Only recently, five applications from reputable international media outlets for business trips to the Donetsk Region have been canceled. Their security advisors categorically forbid journalists from going to the frontline due to the mortal danger of drone attacks. After all, three journalists have already been killed by russian drones, and there are seriously injured…

The front has changed. The enemy is hunting with drones around the clock; even 20-25 kilometers from the front line, you can come under attack. Therefore, the role of press officers is becoming even more critical.

“That is why I was especially proud to present Ruben Sarukhanian, the press officer of the 5^th Separate Assault Brigade of Kyiv, with the special award called Press Officers Are Important from the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU),” emphasizes Sergiy Tomilenko, the President of the NUJU. “This award is for those who help military journalists do their dangerous work, protect them, and create conditions for the truth to reach the world, and who document the heroism of our defenders.”

Until recently, Ruben Sarukhanian worked for the STB TV channel, projects such as Father’s House, and One for All. An ordinary TV presenter with experience working with people and emotions.

February 2023. Bakhmut under fire. Ruben goes to the military registration and enlistment office. “I understood that one day I would have to answer my son: ‘What did you do, Dad, when there was a war?’”

In the 5^th Assault Division, he was assigned to the communications department, where he was most useful. In two years, he accompanied almost 300 journalist groups to the hottest spots.

“Once, the enemy behind a fragment of the fence in the photo determined the location and struck. That is why it is very important to check all the details,” says Ruben.

His job is a constant balancing act between the need to show the truth and strict security requirements.

The most terrible memory is the night at the checkpoint in Chasiv Yar with France Press journalists. There were so many wounded that he and the journalists put down their cameras, put on gloves, and began to help the medics… “I have never seen so many wounded,” he recalls.

Military correspondents Nadiya Sukha and Maryna Asmolova speak of him as a top-notch professional: “He takes security very seriously. If there is even a minimal risk, we don’t go there.”

The editorial staff of the frontline newspaper, Vorskla, from Velyka Pysarivka in the Sumy Region, celebrated its 95^th anniversary this year. They raised funds for the celebration, hoping for peace. However, editor-in-chief Oleksii Pasiuha decided to donate UAH 20,000 to the communications service of the 5^th Assault Division.

“We have no right to celebrate, because soldiers, including journalists, are dying. Our task is to help in some way,” says Oleksii.

With these funds, together with the support of the NUJU, the frontline newspaper purchased powerful drives to store video evidence from the battlefield. “We hope that we will celebrate the newspaper’s 100^th anniversary with Victory,” adds the editor.

“During the meeting with Ruben, we discussed a critically important topic: the need to update the recommendations from press officers to journalists when planning trips to the front. The realities have changed, the threats have become different – especially “drone” ones, and we must adapt in order to save the lives of those who tell the world the truth about this war,” said Sergiy Tomilenko.

He added that, as he presented this award, he felt proud. He said he is proud of professionals such as Ruben Sarukhanian and his colleague in the brigade, Rostyslav Suprunov, as well as newsrooms like Vorskla, which understand the priorities – namely, constant assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He is also proud of our journalistic community, both civilian and in the ranks of the defense forces.

Sergiy Tomilenko also thanked the 5^th Separate Assault Brigade of Kyiv for the cool chevrons and “branded” coin that they presented. “Anywhere. Anytime. Fight and Win”!