Frontline diary: A day in the life of a Ukraine war correspondent

Ruslan Smieshchuk (right) poses with Ukrainian military press officer Iryna Rybakova while on assignment in June 2022 outside the Russian-occupied city Izyum in eastern Ukraine. (Photo: Ruslan Smieshchuk)

“War is a lot of pain and grief,” says Ruslan Smieshchuk, a reporter for privately owned Ukrainian TV channel Inter. In interviews with CPJ, Smieshchuk recounted a single day of his reporting on the Russian invasion of Ukraine: filming the rubble of a bombed school, navigating multiple military checkpoints, and riding to the frontline amid artillery fire.

At least 12 journalists have been killed while covering the conflict, now in its fifth month, and CPJ is investigating whether three others died because of their work.

Russia-Ukraine war

Click here for CPJ’s updates, in-depth reports, and statements on the invasion

A Ukrainian flag waves over a house destroyed by shelling in the village of Moshchun, in the Kyiv region, on June 2, 2022. (AFP/Sergei Chuzavkov)

Safety advice for journalists covering war and related unrest

War reporting: English | Ukrainian | Russian
Arrest and detention: English | Ukrainian | Russian
Civil disorder: English | Ukrainian | Russian
Internet shutdowns: English | Ukrainian | Russian
Risk assessment template: English | Ukrainian | Russian

Scroll to see complete list

Deaths in Ukraine

Motive confirmed (12)

Ihor Hudenko, Freelance, killed in Kharkiv on February 26

Yevhenii Sakun, LIVE, killed in Kyiv on March 1

Viktor Dedov, Sigma-TV, killed in Mariupol on March 11

Oksana Haidar, Freelance, killed in Shevchenkove around March 11 – April 7

Brent Renaud, Time, killed in Irpin on March 13

Maks Levin, LB.ua, body found April 1 near Huta-Mezhyhirska, missing on March 13

Pierre Zakrzewski, Fox News, killed in Horenka on March 14

Oleksandra Kuvshynova, Fox News, killed in Horenka on March 14

Oksana Baulina, The Insider, killed in Kyiv on March 23

Mantas Kvedaravicius, Freelance, killed in Mariupol on April 2

Vira Hyrych, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, killed in Kyiv on April 28

Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff, BFMTV, killed in Lysychansk on May 30

Motive unconfirmed (3)

Zoreslav Zamoysky, Freelance, killed in Bucha around March 4 – April 12

Roman Nezhyborets, Dytynets, killed in Yahidne around March 5-9

Yevhenii Bal, Freelance, killed in Manhush on April 2

More From CPJ

Digital and Physical Safety – Reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022

Safety Kit – Easy-to-follow, practical guides for physical, digital, and psychological safety

Emergency Support – Tips on personal protective equipment, training, insurance, and emergency grants

The Committee to Protect Journalists promotes press freedom worldwide.

We defend the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.

People face off with Kentucky State Troopers during a protest against the deaths of Breonna Taylor by Louisville police and George Floyd by Minneapolis police, in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. May 29, 2020. REUTERS/Bryan Woolston – RC2PYG9106R3

Journalists Attacked

Dom Phillips

MURDERED

British freelance journalist Dom Phillips went missing on June 5, 2022, during a reporting trip in the Brazilian Amazon, and his remains were found with gunshot wounds on June 15. Reports later found that Phillips and Indigenous issues expert Bruno Pereira, who was traveling with him, were shot and killed the morning they went missing.

CPJ has called on Brazilian authorities to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the murders and to hold those responsible to account.

Learn more about Phillips