“Despite ‘war fatigue’, German colleagues continue to talk and write about Ukraine,” – Sergiy Tomilenko in Munich

Drones, which were once the technology of the future, are today a daily threat. More than 15 years ago, German journalist, now head of the Bavarian Association of Journalists (BJV), Harald Stocker prepared his first TV program about drones. Back then, as for innovation. Today, he is working on a documentary about the development of drone technology in Germany, in a world where drones have become a weapon and a real danger to civilians and journalists.

This and more was discussed by NUJU President Sergiy Tomilenko during a meeting with friends from the BJV in Munich. BJV President Harald Stocker, his deputies Andrea Roth and Max Muth, as well as colleagues from the German media, understand well: for Ukrainian journalists, drones are a daily risk, and for Putin they are a threat not only to Ukraine, but to the entire democratic world.

While working in Berlin – at a conference organized by Dr. Wolfgang Ressmann, and as part of a busy program of important meetings – Sergiy Tomilenko was also able to visit Munich. A year ago, the President of the NUJU was an honored guest at the Congress of the German Journalists Association (DJV). It was in Munich that a lot was said about the fact that there are no safe places for journalists in Ukraine, and that every aerial alarm signal is a warning not only for Ukrainians, but also for the whole of Europe. At that time, these words formed the basis of public materials and decisions on real assistance.

“During today’s conversation, I sincerely thanked my Bavarian colleagues for their practical support of the all-German journalistic fundraising to help Ukrainian frontline local newspapers. It was thanks to such solidarity that the newsrooms of frontline publications in different regions, in the conditions of the termination of American aid programs, were able to print their regular issues,” Sergiy Tomilenko emphasized.

He told his colleagues about the current situation in Ukraine — about the intensification of russian attacks on energy infrastructure, about the growing threats from drones, in particular for journalists. About the resilience of my colleagues from Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Dnipro… — and about the phenomenon of the Ukrainian frontline local press.

“Our journalists do not have the luxury of just writing texts or printing newspapers. When the post office refuses to deliver the press (in conditions of the front and attacks by the occupiers), the editors themselves organize the delivery of publications to communities – at the risk of russian drones, understanding that for people this is often the only source of verified information,” said Sergiy Tomilenko. “I am sincerely grateful to my German friends for their concern. For the fact that despite the “war fatigue”, German colleagues continue to talk and write about Ukraine, support Ukrainian journalists, and clearly realize: Putin is a threat not only to Ukraine, but to the entire democratic world. We appreciate every word and every gesture of solidarity.”

NUJU Information Service