In Memoriam: Ukrainian War Correspondent Anastasia Volkova

Women Press Freedom mourns the loss of Anastasia Volkova, a dedicated war correspondent, who tragically died in a car accident

Location: Ukraine, Sloviansk

Date: June 4, 2024

Women Press Freedom mourns the loss of Anastasia Volkova, a dedicated war correspondent, who tragically died in a car accident on May 30 in Sloviansk, Donetsk Region. Anastasia, known to friends as Nastya, worked relentlessly as a war correspondent in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, bringing attention to the realities of the war. Her commitment to truthful reporting earned her the respect of colleagues and those she documented.

At her funeral, held in the Church of the Holy Spirit in Sloviansk, Hromadske Radio CEO Kyrylo Lukerenko remarked, “Nastya was planning to get married in the fall, and the wedding was to be held in this church. It was a very difficult farewell. Her family members recall that Nastya was brave, courageous, had a great sense of humor, and she will be greatly missed.”

Maryna Tereshchenko, a close friend of Anastasia, shared, “Nastya was very brave. She also had a laugh unlike any other. If she laughed, everyone around her laughed. I miss her laugh so much. (...) She was an incredible journalist, overcame many of her fears, coped with everything, and worked very hard.”

Anastasia’s career was marked by her unwavering commitment to covering the harsh realities of war. Working for the Ukrainian TV channel FREEDOM, she reported from the frontlines to highlight the devastation of the Russian invasion for an international audience. Her work was deeply personal; born and raised in Luhansk, she had lost her home to the conflict and dedicated her life to shedding light on the struggles of her fellow Ukrainians.

“Nastya was brave, courageous, had a great sense of humor, and she will be greatly missed”

— Hromadske Radio CEO Kyrylo Lukerenko

Reflecting on her mission, Anastasia once said, “I was born and raised in Luhansk and lost my home. So, professional activity is everything for me. It is the meaning of my life now. And when I can visit my homeland for work, my heart is filled with a sense of pain and a desire to do more to highlight the disaster that Russia has brought to Ukraine, to highlight the crimes of Russian troops. I really want to see my home, which I haven't seen since 2014, but I also want everyone to understand the price that Ukrainians are paying every day in this liberation struggle.”

Anastasia began her career as a war correspondent in 2018. Her dedication and bravery were recognized in June 2022 when she was awarded the Order of Merit, III class.

Anastasia Volkova’s loss is deeply felt by her colleagues, friends, and all who followed her reporting. Her fearless pursuit of truth and dedication to justice made a significant impact. As we remember her, we honor her commitment and the lasting legacy she leaves behind.

Anastasia, your courage and dedication to journalism will be remembered. Rest in peace.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

Women Press Freedom Mourns the Killing of Soldier and Former Journalist Alla Pushkarchuk

From her time as a journalist and photographer embedded within the 5th Separate Battalion of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army to her editorial positions at Ukrainsky Tyzhden and Chytomo, Pushkarchuk made an enduring impact

Location: Ukraine, Donetsk

Date: April 25, 2024

In the midst of conflict and chaos, there are those who illuminate the darkness with their unwavering courage and commitment. Among them was Alla Pushkarchuk, a multifaceted soul who dedicated her life to both the written word and the defense of her homeland. Tragically, on April 25, 2024, she fell victim to the indiscriminate violence by Russia that has plagued Ukraine’s Donetsk region.

Alla’s journey was marked by a profound sense of duty and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Though her heart initially yearned for the world of culture and theater criticism, fate led her down a different path. Since the eruption of conflict in 2014, she ventured regularly to the front lines, documenting the grim realities of war.

During the Revolution of Dignity, Alla, infused with a spirit of defiance, joined the ranks of the Right Sector, lending her voice to the call for change. As the conflict escalated, she transitioned into the role of a frontline soldier.

Alla’s professional journey was as diverse as her talents. From her tenure as a journalist and photographer in the 5th Separate Battalion of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army to her editorial roles at Ukrainsky Tyzhden and Chytomo, she left an indelible mark on every platform she graced. Her reportage captured the raw essence of war, earning accolades such as being a finalist in the “Eyewitness” report contest and winning awards for her poignant war photography.

Yet, amidst the chaos of conflict, Alla remained tethered to her dreams. She harbored a vision of one day opening a bookstore, a sanctuary of knowledge and imagination born from the crucible of war. Her love for literature, her thirst for learning, and her unwavering optimism shone through even in the darkest of times.

Alla’s passing leaves a void not only in the realm of journalism but in the hearts of all who knew her. Her former colleague and friend, Dmytro Krapyvenko, aptly captured the essence of her spirit — a fragile yet resolute soul who traded the world of art for the crucible of war, guided by an unyielding sense of duty and honor.

As we mourn the loss of Alla Pushkarchuk, let us also remember her legacy — a testament to the power of words, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring quest for truth and justice in the face of adversity. In her memory, may we continue to strive for a world where the pen is mightier than the sword, and where the sacrifices of brave souls like Alla are never forgotten.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

Russia: 15 Years ago Today, Russian Neo-Nazis Killed Anastasia Baburova

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom stands today in solemn remembrance of Anastasia Baburova, a paragon of journalistic bravery and a relentless advocate for truth. Fifteen years ago today, the world lost an extraordinary journalist whose life was tragically cut short in her pursuit of reporting on the insidious rise of neo-Nazi extremism in Russia.

Born in Sevastopol, Ukrainian SSR, on November 30, 1983, Baburova's journey as a journalist at Novaya Gazeta and her tragic death on January 19, 2009, alongside human rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov, continue to resonate deeply in the heart of Russian civil society and shocked the world. Baburova's death, a stark symbol of the dangers faced by those challenging extremism, led to the arrest and conviction of Nikita Tikhonov and Yevgenia Khasis, members of the neo-Nazi group BORN.

Markelov, known for his work with Anna Politkovskaya and Chechen civilians, and Baburova’s relentless crusade against ultranationalist violence, raised critical questions about the Kremlin's efforts in protecting activists and journalists. Their murders, emblematic of the risks journalists face in Russia, continue to be a sobering reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and freedom of expression.

Anastasia Baburova’s journey was not just that of a journalist but also of a courageous woman who dared to confront the shadows of societal ills with the unwavering light of her words and investigations. Her commitment to unveiling the truth in the face of daunting challenges and risks is a testament to the resilience and power of women in journalism.

Her work at Novaya Gazeta was not merely a profession but a profound manifestation of her dedication to the principles of justice and human rights. We recognize Anastasia’s contributions as emblematic of the courage that women journalists around the world display daily in their quest to report the truth.

Anastasia Baburova’s story is one of intrepid journalism, political activism, and an unrelenting fight against neo-Nazi extremism in Russia. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.