The New York Times journalists provide monetary assistance to families of killed Ukrainian journalists

Nataliya Diedova, the wife of Mariupol TV cameraman Viktor Diedov, who was killed in his apartment by a Russian projectile, and Mariya Lee, the mother of TV presenter and actor Pavlo Lee, who was shot by the Russian military, received financial support from journalists of The New York Times.

“It is important to remember the fallen colleagues. I thank the journalists who work at The New York Times for the donation that the NUJU, together with the Donbas Frontliner publication, gave to the widow of the best Mariupol cameraman Viktor Diedov and the mother of TV presenter Pavlo Lee,” NUJU President, Sergiy Tomilenko, wrote on Twitter.

The families of the journalists, killed as a result of Russian aggression while performing their professional duty in Ukraine, usually need financial support. Often, they suffer as a result of the loss of a breadwinner; in other cases, a lot of money goes to perpetuate the memory of a deceased loved one. It is challenging for the relatives of civilian journalists who do not receive state benefits.

“My elderly mother and I spend the money that American journalists gave us for living,” Mariya Lee said in a comment to the NUJU. “I am very grateful to the people who donated for us and to the Union of Journalists, which contributed to providing us with these funds. It was only thanks to this support that I was able to pay for the services of a notary to formalize the inheritance from Pavlo….”

At the same time, Mariya Lee managed to erect two monuments to Pavlo: one in Irpin, Kyiv Region, near the place where the Russian occupiers shot him, and one in Vorokhta, Ivano-Frankivsk Region, where he is buried. It was possible to do this with the support of the Irpin City Council and the film crew engaged in shooting the Myrnyi 21 film.

Media representative Nataliya Diedova also could use the help received from the American journalists.

“We live together with the child. She has a breadwinner’s pension of UAH 3,600 (about USD 100) per month. As you understand, this is very little, especially since we have to rent an apartment in Kyiv. Therefore, the help of American colleagues is a very significant support for our family; we are very grateful,” Nataliya Diedova said in a comment to the NUJU.

According to Nataliya, since several Russian shells hit her Mariupol apartment at once, killing her husband Viktor, she has received one-time aid from the UN and monthly receives payments as an internally displaced person.

“Only the NUJU will initiate support for us and my son Sashko if such an opportunity arises. Therefore, the help of American colleagues cannot be overestimated,” Nataliya said.

At the same time, the story of Viktor Diedov had a great resonance in the world: Nataliya and Sashko gave numerous interviews to journalists from different countries, and his fate was highlighted at many exhibitions and commemorative events. “Honestly, I no longer have the strength to tell our story,” Nataliya admits.

NUJU Information Service