Journalist Valentyna Dutkevych: “The War Ruined Our Plans, but We Will Build New Ones”

Valentyna Dutkevych, the editor-in-chief of the Kyiv-based news agency “Ukrainski Novyny” (Ukrainian News), was supposed to go to the doctor on February 24. Her alarm was set for 5:30 AM, but she woke up an hour earlier. At that time, the work chat was already buzzing with discussions about the war.

“First thought: We need to organize the website’s work somehow.”

— I entered our collective chat, and my colleagues were already actively discussing what to do because it was clear to everyone that the war had started. I live alone, and at that moment, I felt terrified. And my first thought was: We need to organize the website’s work somehow,— Valentyna began her story.

From the first hours of the full-scale invasion, the editorial team of “Ukrainski Novyny” unanimously decided to continue working on the website despite the uneasy situation in Kyiv. Several journalists took shifts in the office, while the rest worked remotely.

— We decided that verified information was needed at that moment, which had always been our priority because the biggest problem that morning was a massive stream of disinformation. For example, there was a fire in one of the districts in Kyiv, and people started writing that it was due to a rocket strike, even though the fire had nothing to do with the war. Of course, it was because of panic. Therefore, it was important for us to provide accurate information from official sources,— the journalist says.

“Interestingly, just before the full-scale invasion, I had planned to move to Odessa and had almost made up my mind.”

But rocket explosions were soon audible almost throughout the city, and Valentyna decided to evacuate, realizing there might not be another opportunity.

— I heard explosions, reinforcing my awareness of what was happening. My friends also started writing that windows were shaking for some people, and glassware was falling from shelves due to the explosions. And I thought that I needed to leave. Interestingly, I had planned to move to Odessa just before the full-scale invasion and had almost decided. I had dreamed about it for a long time, especially since I mostly worked remotely. You know what they say: be careful what you wish for… I packed my suitcases and backpack with everything I needed, but I didn’t know what to do with my cat. I couldn’t imagine whether they would let him on the train or even in a shelter, but I decided to take him with me anyway. I went to the “Obolon” subway station and stood there thinking about whether to enter or not. I stood there for about an hour and decided to return home. But the feeling of alarm didn’t leave me, and at the last moment, I said to myself: No, I need to do something because I might not be able to go later.

Where her path would lead, the journalist didn’t know. She took her beloved pet to acquaintances outside the city and embarked on her evacuation journey with just a backpack and a phone.

— The subway was already crowded with people seeking shelter, which was the same at the train station. These crowds intensified the feeling of anxiety even more. Trains were delayed – by half an hour, an hour. My train was delayed for 40 minutes as well, and when it arrived, a huge crowd rushed in. Everyone wanted to save themselves,— our interlocutor says.

People took cover from rocket strikes in the subway.

Photo: facebook.com/BrahinskyyViktor 

“Perhaps work was the only thing that kept us going.”

The next day, Valentyna was already in Lviv. The journalist continued working throughout this time and quickly established stable website operation and communication with colleagues in the new location.

— Of course, the war affected our work because advertising disappeared, which was our primary source of income. Our budget barely covered salaries, so we had to reduce staff and sometimes work on a volunteer basis. But we still worked overtime, as we understood how important it was. Perhaps work was the only thing that kept us going because seeing how the cities of our country were mercilessly destroyed, how Kyiv was shelled, how families in Odesa, where I had dreamed of moving, were dying – it’s unbearable… It makes you long for justice and accountability. So I believe this hatred should be directed towards constructive actions because if we live in it, we destroy ourselves. And when I’m overwhelmed by this destructive feeling, I try to work more, and my team too,— Valentyna says, for whom journalistic work is far more than just earning a living.

— I’ve established personal rituals to maintain balance because I realized their importance, even though they might seem trivial. Firstly, I drink warm water to connect with my body. Secondly, I exercise since life is movement, and it’s crucial for me regardless of circumstances. Even in a shelter, I find 10 minutes for personal time, which could involve talking to loved ones for soothing. Work takes precedence: it instills discipline, unites us, and underscores our significance. Much is automated from experience, but we’re adapting to new challenges. Despite war disrupting plans, we’ll forge new ones,— Valentyna concludes.

This series, titled Executed Free Speech, is created as part of a project Drawing Ukrainian And International Audience’s Attention To Serious Violations Of Human Rights And Crimes Against Journalists And Mass Media By The Russian Federation,  which is performed by the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, with support from the Swedish non-profit organization Civil Rights Defenders.

JOURNALISTS ARE IMPORTANT. Stories of Life and Work in Conditions of War is a cycle of materials prepared by the team of the NUJU with the support of the Swedish human rights organization Civil Rights Defenders.

 #CRD