Zaporizhzhia journalists and military veterans join forces

A meeting was held in Zaporizhzhia, symbolically uniting two important fronts – military and information. Representatives of the public organization Force of Development and the Zaporizhzhia regional organization of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, which is designed to strengthen interaction between veterans and the journalistic community. In the Zaporizhzhia Journalists’ Solidarity Center (JSC), the document was signed by the founder of the NGO Force of Development, a veteran of the 110^th Separate Brigade of the Khortytsia Regional Organization, Senior Sergeant Andrii Bobrovnik, and the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Organization of the NUJU / Honored Journalist of Ukraine, Nataliya Kuzmenko.

This is not the first meeting of veterans with representatives of the journalistic community. In October of this year, veterans of the 110^th Separate Brigade of the Khortytsia Regional Organization, along with active military personnel, visited the Zaporizhzhia JSC. During that meeting, they became acquainted with the JSC’s activities, spoke with journalists who work on the information front every day, and presented the brigade’s symbols.

At the same time, the military presented letters of gratitude to representatives of the Zaporizhzhia media for their support, concern, and professionalism in covering events related to the defenders of Ukraine, and presented the brigade’s standard, signed by military veterans. This warm, sincere dialogue became the basis for further cooperation, which is now officially formalized by the signing of the Memorandum.

During the current meeting, Andrii Bobrovnik, the head of the NGO Force of Development, as well as members of the board, Danylo Babchenko and Yurii Murzin, informed journalists about the organization’s areas of activity, its mission, and the results already achieved.

Force of Development was created in August of this year, shortly after Andrii Bobrovnik returned from the front. In just a few months, the organization’s team has successfully implemented several initiatives aimed at supporting demobilized servicemen and their family members.

“We saw how difficult it is for our comrades to adapt after returning home. Some are seeking employment, while others are looking for support and understanding. That’s why we decided to act, to create a space where a veteran can find not only help but also new motivation for development,” said Andrii Bobrovnik.

In this short time, the organization has already helped find jobs for more than 30 demobilized servicemen and their family members, conducted practical classes in home medical care, and provided psychological and legal support.

“It is important for us to show that service continues after the front. We continue to serve the community through training, mutual assistance, and support for one another. Because this is the power of development – ​​to develop, even when it is difficult,” emphasized the veteran.

Nataliya Kuzmenko, the Head of the Zaporizhzhia regional organization of the NUJU, noted that the signing of the Memorandum is a logical step in developing the partnership between journalists and veterans.

“Journalists and military personnel stand side by side today – each on their own front. We must listen to each other, understand our needs, and work together to convey the truth. This document is not just a formality, but first of all – a confirmation of our readiness to work together for the sake of a strong, conscious community,” she emphasized.

According to her, JSC in Zaporizhzhia was created to support journalists in difficult wartime conditions, provide a safe environment for work, promote professional growth, and exchange of experience. Now, veterans with great potential in fields such as public service, education, security, and communications are also joining this partnership.

The meeting concluded with warm and frank communication. Journalists and veterans exchanged ideas on joint events, future training sessions, and projects aimed at developing the veteran movement, information security, and mutual support.

“We are grateful to Zaporizhzhia media workers for their daily work, for maintaining the information front honestly and responsibly. Cooperation with you is another step towards unity and victory, which we are all bringing closer together,” said Andrii Bobrovnik.

The signing of the Memorandum was not only an official step, but also a confirmation that the military and journalists are allies in a common cause. After all, victory is fought not only with weapons, but also with words, truth, solidarity, and development.

JSC coordinators Nataliya Kuzmenko and Valentyna Manzhura gave the guys a whole box of trench candles, which are so necessary in the winter at the front, for their brothers who are still fighting on the Orikhiv Axis.

The network of Journalists’ Solidarity Centers is an initiative of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, implemented in collaboration with the International and European Federations of Journalists and UNESCO, and with the support of the People of Japan. Our primary goal is to assist media professionals working in Ukraine during the war. The Centers are active in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk. The project is part of UNESCO’s broader efforts to support the Safety of Journalists and Freedom of Expression in Ukraine.

Contact the Zaporizhzhia JSC at 096 277 5352 (Nataliya Kuzmenko and Valentyna Manzhura, the coordinators of the Zaporizhzhia JSC). The Center’s address is 15 Sobornyi Avenue.

Tamara Bort

Photo by Serhii Bizhko