Journalism and War: The story of a Ukrainian warrior
6 June 2024 10:49
ІНТЕРВ'Ю
The war has changed the lives of many Ukrainians, forcing them to leave their peaceful lives and take up arms. Before the war with Russia started, Zig was a well-known Ukrainian journalist and editor of a popular TV programme. But since 2015, his life has changed radically. He decided to leave journalism and go to fight the Russian occupiers in Donbas. With the start of the full-scale invasion, he took up arms again and went to war. His story is inspiring and shows how war changes people and their priorities. In an interview with Kommersant Ukrainian 
, Zig told us what motivated him to join the army, how his life has changed, and what he does at war.
Zig is fighting in the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, so for the safety of his family, we will not disclose his details, only his call sign.
Please tell us when did you first go to war and what motivated you?
I first went to war in 2015. I tried to mobilise for a long time, running around military enlistment offices. I received my notice back in August 2014, but the process was delayed, and only in March 2015 did I get to serve. At that time, there were no Special Operations Forces, just a department. I was motivated by a trivial thing: I, like many other sane people, saw that the situation was heading towards an all-out war, towards the absorption of our country. It was obvious that Russia was planning a complete takeover of Ukraine and the creation of puppet republics on our land.
Until 2014, I was a member of certain organisations with a military bias. We had been preparing for a confrontation with Russia since the mid-90s. Then Chechnya started, then Georgia started, then we had the Tuzla conflict before that. Sane people understood that a major military conflict with Russia was a matter of time, and in the near future. Therefore, they were adequately preparing for it. The university military department gave me the rank of reserve officer. Therefore, when the full-scale invasion began, the decision to join the army was quite natural for me. I have always understood that a major military conflict with Russia is a matter of time.
How long didyou fight in the ATO and what did you do after you were released?
I fought in the ATO for three years: 2015, 2016, 2017. Three full years. After I was released, I spent a year in hospital, where I was treated for the effects of the war.
After a year of treatment, I entered the Law Faculty of St Volodymyr’s University. I chose the speciality “Anti-Corruption Activities” because I understood that corruption is the second war that is taking place in our country. Ukraine has a huge potential, and it is corruption that prevents its realisation. Initially, I planned to join the NABU to continue serving the state, but I realised that I was not ready to return to the hierarchical structure. I wanted more freedom and a stable schedule to be able to spend more time with my family. So I decided to engage in legal and public activities, helping large private holdings and farmers with land issues.
In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. What was your reaction?
Personally, I thought that the Russians would just officially send their troops to Donbas and the main “slaughter” would be there. I did not expect that, firstly, they would come from Crimea, because it would be almost impossible to get through there. If everything had been prepared as it should have been, no one would have been able to get through. on 25 February, Russian tanks were already reaching Demidov. So it was unexpected. I woke up to a rocket attack at 4:00 am, to explosions near strategic facilities.
When did you go back to fight?
Immediately after the start of the full-scale invasion, I went back to the front. I consider it my duty. I took my wife and children to the border, where they were met by my relatives, and I went to my home unit.
Inyour opinion, how does the war now differ from the war until 2022?
It is different in every way. If earlier this war was a training exercise for our army, an opportunity to hone their skills, now it is an all-out war. Russia is using all possible means of military weapons to destroy us. We are talking about using the entire arsenal, from IPSO to hypersonic missiles. This is a war of survival for our country.
You were a famous journalist. How does this biography help or hurt you in your military service?
I never told anyone that I was a journalist. I didn’t want to sit at the headquarters or the press service and do what I used to do. I wanted to fight. Only the idea of defending our country mattered.
What areyou doing now in the war?
I can’t tell you much because of the specifics of our work. We are engaged in the full range of tasks of the Special Operations Forces, including the destruction of the enemy up to 100 kilometres from the front line. We use various methods to achieve this goal. The work is very specific and I cannot disclose details.
What keeps you going during the war?
At the beginning, everyone’s spirits were high, there was a sense of determination, a willingness to “fight”. At the beginning of the war, everyone was charged, there was unity and determination to fight.
Now, after all this time, many people are, of course, morally tired. You have to show results every day, and it’s exhausting. You realise for yourself that if you haven’t sent a single enemy to the next world in a day, then the day has been wasted.
It is similar to the work of a journalist with ratings – you try to achieve more and more every time.
It helps me to understand the importance of our mission. I have no illusions about what we have to achieve. The only thing that annoys me is the problems with mobilisation and the indifference of the population. But I am convinced that our work is important and we must continue to fight.
What do you think could improve the mobilisation of the population?
This is a very difficult question. It will be difficult for a person who does not learn history, who has not been instilled with love for the homeland, to understand why he or she should mobilise. This is a claim against all the previous presidents who were in Ukraine, starting with Kravchuk. If a person does not understand what they are fighting for, they will not be ready to give their life for their country.
Were there any cases that surprised you? In terms of morale, how people behave?
Yes, of course. One of the most striking things for me is the change in morale among people. A few years ago, the situation in Donbass was completely different. People were often suspicious and distrustful of the Ukrainian army.
Now the situation there has changed dramatically. Everything has changed dramatically today. Support for Ukraine has grown significantly. People who used to vote for pro-Russian parties and even welcomed Russian troops are now actively helping our military. They bring food, medicine, and share everything they have. This is an incredible contrast to what happened before.
But, for example, Kharkiv region has only partially understood everything that is happening. There are still people there who remain pro-Russian, especially in the villages that were under occupation.
Zaporizhzhia region has also undergone changes. People have become more patriotic, although there are still some pro-Russian people there. However, the general mood has improved significantly.
Let’s talk about your personal views. How has the war changed your views?
After the ATO, my priorities changed. My family has come first, and I want to be able to spend more time with my loved ones.
This war has radically changed my perception of many things. As a journalist, I have always tried to be objective, but now I understand that there are things that need to be defended without compromise.
Are youplanning to write a book about your experience?
The idea to write a book came to me as soon as I joined the army. But with each operation, I realised that it would not be possible to write a book now. I would have to invent 90% of the facts in order not to disclose important information. Maybe when everything is declassified, then I can write a book. But not now.
Inyour opinion, how should this war end?
This war should end only with our victory. Only then will we be able to ensure a lasting peace for our country. If we do not resolve this now, the war will be passed on to our children and grandchildren.
Fathers and sons are fighting in my unit. And we often apologise to the 20-year-old boys who are fighting side by side with us, because we are to blame for not resolving this issue in 2014-2015. Therefore, we must achieve victory to forget about the war for at least a hundred years.
What will be the first thing you do after the war is over?
After the war, I just want to relax and spend time with my family. I will also go to the USA. I’ll take a Harley and drive from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean… to the best bars in America.
What will you do after we win? Do youplan to return to journalism?
I can’t say what I’m going to do. If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.
I have no plans to return to journalism. To be honest, I am disappointed in journalism. Most media outlets are dependent because they all have owners. Also, I don’t see how the news now differs from what I see on TV, for example, or what I open and read on the Internet. There is absolutely nothing. Before, every journalist had their own interesting speakers, every journalist had their own sources. And you always knew that you could count on an exclusive. I am so disappointed that I don’t even watch television anymore.
I’m more interested in documentaries, working with veterans and fighting corruption. Our country will have more than a million veterans, and we need to pay a lot of attention to these people. We must also teach young people to respect these people who have sacrificed everything for the country.
What do you wish journalists?
I wish journalists more independence from media owners, high salaries, experience and exclusive materials. It is important that journalists remain objective and continue to seek the truth, even in the most difficult circumstances.
Thank you for your candour and for taking the time to do this interview. Take care of yourself
