Veteran journalist lost her life when her home caught fire due to Russian hostilities

Location: Ukraine, Mariupol
Date: March 29, 2022

The Coalition For Women In Journalism mourns the loss of Natalia Kharakoz, a dedicated journalist and author. We also grieve Kharakoz’s literary work, after the Russian army’s attack on Mariupol destroyed much of the city’s bookshops and libraries along with Kharakoz’s home, it is unknown whether copies of her published work survived. Before her passing, she managed to send a draft of her latest book to a relative amidst limited internet access, a testament to her dedication to her work. We vehemently condemn the horrific attacks against Ukrainian civilians. Russia must answer for its crimes and we demand that deaths of all press workers in the conflict are investigated. We offer our most heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Natalia Kharakoz.

On March 29, 2022, Natalia Kharakoz, who wrote for the Pryazovskyi Robochyi newspaper, died after her house caught fire due to Russian shelling in the city of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine. Kharakoz was a respected member of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine and the National Writers' Union of Ukraine, as well as the head of the Azov Literary Club.

The heartbreaking news was conveyed by her relative, Mariupol journalist Anna Kotykhova.

According to Kotykhova's, Kharakoz's home collapsed following a raging fire resulting from the ongoing hostilities in the region. Kharakoz had sought refuge in the basement of her home. Her relatives only learned of her death through neighbors in early April, highlighting the communication challenges and information blackout imposed by the conflict. At the beginning of May 2022 her body was found. 

Kotykhova recalls Kharakoz's dedication to her craft, noting that even amidst the chaos of the invasion, Kharakoz prioritized her work, sending drafts of her books with urgent pleas to save them while internet access was still available. Kotykhova saved the file that was sent to her but does not know if any of her previous printed books survived.

“I did not save any of her books. The apartments – both mine and hers – burned to the ground along with all the books,” says Kotykhova. “And I don't know if her lines have survived in at least one library, at least one museum, at least in someone's intact house.”

Kotykhova reminisces about Kharakoz's literary contributions, she laments the loss of cherished works such as the short story "Anyuta's Letters," which depicted the resilience of people during wartime. The inability to access Kharakoz's writings serves as a poignant reminder of the broader cultural and intellectual heritage at risk amid the devastation of conflict.

The death of Natalia Kharakoz adds to the grim toll faced by journalists in Ukraine, with at least 22 journalists reported killed in shelling by Russian occupiers since the onset of the full-scale offensive. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns such attacks on journalists and calls for swift action to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure the safety and security of media professionals operating in conflict zones.

In honoring Natalia Kharakoz's memory, the Coalition For Women In Journalism reaffirms its commitment to defending press freedom, promoting journalists' safety, and preserving the invaluable contributions of women journalists like Kharakoz.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

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.

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