From Newsroom to Frontline: Seven Journalists of 'Glavkom' Fighting for Ukraine
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, journalists from the Ukrainian publication 'Glavkom' answered the call to defend their nation. Many joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, continuing their mission on the battlefield. This article chronicles the military journeys of seven such journalists, detailing their roles, awards, and where they have served. Their stories reflect a broader trend of Ukrainian civilians, from all professions, taking up arms in a national struggle for survival.
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Oleksiy Byk
An officer in the 3rd Assault Brigade's Third Army Corps, he has been fighting Russia since 2014. An active participant in the Euromaidan protests, where he was wounded by a rubber bullet, Oleksiy has seen combat in the battles for Bakhmut and on the Zaporizhzhia front. He has been awarded the Order 'For Courage' III degree and is a nominee for the Shevchenko Prize for his book of poetry '#Pryholosniholosni'.
We can only defeat the enemy if we are united. - Oleksiy Byk
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Dmytro Sheremeta
He joined Ukraine's defense in the first days of the war. A senior lieutenant and commander of a demining unit in the Demining Center, he performs sapper duties on the Donetsk front. For his service, Dmytro has received two Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky. He found that writing about events became harder than participating in them: 'The greatest fear was not of the army, but of leaving my family for a long time.'
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Oleksiy Kravchenko
Serving in the 4th Rifle Battalion of the 114th Territorial Defense Brigade, he is a native of Luhansk who participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation and the Joint Forces Operation. In 2022, Oleksiy fought in the Kharkiv-Lyman offensive, helping liberate the village of Torske, and later in the battles around Bakhmut. He recalls his path: 'In 2014, I and like-minded people attended protest rallies, trying to hold events regularly.'
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Mykhailo Hlukhovskyi
He serves in the 81st Separate Communications Battalion, maintaining vital communications on the Pokrovsk front. Mykhailo was mobilized at the end of May 2025. He emphasizes the critical need for unity: 'We can only defeat the enemy if we are united.'
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Vitalii Yermakov
He joined the 129th Battalion on February 25, 2022, as an infantry rifleman. Vitalii fought in the battles for the villages of Ivanivske and Klishchiivka on the outskirts of Bakhmut. Since January 2024, he has served in the battalion's aerial reconnaissance unit.
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Volodymyr Arnaut
He reported to the military enlistment office in the war's first days, serving in the 57th Separate Rifle Battalion and the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade 'Velykyi Luh'. He now works in a RUbAK unit operating ground robotic complexes and has been awarded the 'Golden Cross' medal.
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Nazar Honchar
He joined the ranks of the National Guard of Ukraine in May 2022. Nazar has carried out combat missions on the Bakhmut and Kupiansk fronts and currently serves as a driver-medic in a special-purpose sniper company on the Pokrovsk front. He has received commendations and awards, including the 'For the Defense of Ukraine' medal from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The accounts of these 'Glavkom' journalists testify to the courage and dedication of Ukrainian defenders who left their professions to protect their country. These narratives highlight not only the journalists' personal bravery but also the collective spirit of Ukrainian society during wartime. Many individuals, including former journalists, have demonstrated a willingness to risk their lives for their homeland. This mobilization has become a crucial part of national identity, fostering unity in a nation confronting immense military challenges. Such stories not only shape an image of heroism but also inspire future generations to actively participate in defending their state.