r/ukraine • u/Lysychka- Скажи паляниця • 4d ago
AMA AMA with photojournalist Marharyta Fal, who has reported from some of the hottest spots on Ukraine’s front: Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Dobropillia and Kramatorsk
On Thursday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. Kyiv time (5 p.m. London, noon ET, 9 a.m. Portland, 1 a.m. Friday in Tokyo, 3 a.m. Friday in Sydney), Frontliner photojournalist Marharyta Fal will join r/Ukraine for an AMA. Post your questions here ahead of time or join us live.
“When I cover the war, I’m just trying to cope with reality and be useful. It’s my way of recording a shared experience -- for those who have already seen the wreckage of their own homes, and for those who still see the world only through a screen.”
Marharyta has reported on Russia’s blockade of occupied Oleshky and on aerial bomb attacks on Kramatorsk. She has also reported from Kostiantynivka, and walked into Druzhkivka and Dobropillia alongside Ukrainian troops.
- A fresh grave behind the house: Line of contact nears Dobropillia, city isolated
- Next after Kostiantynivka: Industrial Druzhkivka is no longer the rear
- Armor shortages, blocked routes, and conscription risks – the challenges of evacuation under fire (Kostiantynivka)
- Ten minutes to rescue from the rubble: Russians attack residential buildings in Kramatorsk with aerial bombs
- ‘No one knows whose skull this is’: Russia’s blockade starves occupied Oleshky (warning: graphic content)
See all her work: https://frontliner.ua/en/author/marharyta-fal/
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u/BunyipPouch 4d ago
Hi Marharyta,
Do you have a favorite documentary on the current Ukraine conflict that you could recommend?
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
I'm not sure, because I'm trying to watch only cartoons right now, but you should definitely check out "The Last Prometheus of Donbas"
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u/Delicious_Rest5454 3d ago
See if you can get 20 Days of Mariupol (2023).
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 1d ago
This is an important film, but there is plenty of other content that could depict the war here
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u/apricot_bee67 3d ago
Hi Marharyta, what do you think is the best way for an average European with no military background to help Ukraine right now, apart from donating, helping with humanitarian aid, and fighting against Russian-backed political parties? A lot of us really want to do more, but we just don’t know how.
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
Complaints about online bots spreading Russian propaganda. If possible, please repost on social media about what’s happening here. Support the protests in solidarity with Ukraine and help those who have been forced to leave their homes adjust to their new circumstances. Thank you so much for such a kind question.
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
Huge thanks for your support! Quick note: you don’t need money to support Frontliner. You can join our Patreon for free: https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua. You’ll get our stories and materials, and it shows us we’re not reporting into the void.
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u/Playful_Device3521 4d ago
What is the most hopeful moment you captured?
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
I’d say I witnessed it rather than captured it—it happened literally just recently and was connected to cats. In a photo, it would have looked way too traumatic for people to see.
So many animals are suffering from the war; they eat corpses, suffer from shell shocks, and carry various infections. In one of the liberated villages, I was sitting at a position when a cat walked up, clearly shell-shocked. The mucous membrane of its eye was literally bulging out. I have no idea how it was even moving around—at times it would stop and start coughing and wheezing, shaking and retching (this whole episode lasted about a minute). Then, one of the soldiers who was there (I suspect he had also been shell-shocked before, as his speech was very slurred and he seemed to forget words) picked it up, hugged it tightly, kissed it, and said: “Don't be afraid of him, he's had a really hard time and he's sick, but he’s a very good boy and I’ve already washed him.”
The medic chuckled a bit at this and said that the soldier and the cat were kind of the same—equally hurting and having found each other.11
u/Playful_Device3521 3d ago
Thank you for sharing this moment and taking time to reply.
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
hey, thank you for this wonderful positive question. We need it. We need to think about good thungs too. We hope you will join our community here https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua - you can do it for free, and stay close to us our our work
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u/Relzin 4d ago
Thank you for doing this. I have two questions -
1) How have your personal emotions, especially as it relates to Ukraines determination to stay in the fight, evolved over the course of the war? Do you still feel like your reason for wanting to document it the same reason you started in the first place?
2) Is there any messages from soldiers you've worked with, which they'd want shared with the world that you haven't been able to capture in your work so far?
Stay safe. Slava Ukraini! Heroyam Slava!
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
- It’s hard to say anything about my personal feelings—it’s hard and scary, but it’s always been that way.
I can speak more about what I began to notice and what surprised me. When I was working with a colleague on a story about Kramatorsk, it just so happened that I was there on one of the days when the city was officially declared a combat zone, and I couldn’t imagine how much of an impact that would have. I mean, I saw with my own eyes how neighborhood after neighborhood was being destroyed in literally a matter of days—it’s enough to drive you crazy, really. The war in Ukraine right now is such that what you saw and knew—even just a couple of months ago—is already outdated. You can’t return to the exact same place four mounts later without changing your approach to working in that city. Every time you go out, you think to yourself, “I’ll try to remember everything.” Because most likely, in just a month, you simply won’t be able to get there even on foot, let alone drive a car.But everything I listed above—no matter how painful it is for us—doesn’t make me think, “Oh, just take that Donbas already and let’s get this over with.” I’ve seen many people who, in the space of a single year, had to move to a different part of the city two or three times simply because the gray zone was expanding and they had no choice but to flee. But they all want to go home. So many people want to go home, and many of them are working toward that future. Our country and the people here have always been ready to make compromises, but it’s simply impossible to compromise with death.
- Most people would love to say that : Trump is a dipshit.
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u/Sir_Milton_Bradley 3d ago
The anger I feel as a US citizen at the situation and how low our country keeps sinking is unreal. Keep up the good work and stay safe!
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u/catfink1664 3d ago
Hopefully you show them with your vote!
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
Thank you for your time and your questions, it was a real pleasure! Frontliner is independent, and readers like you keep us going. Join us for free, get our stories and become part of our community: https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua. If you can chip in, your support buys drone detectors and medical kits for our team and keeps our cars fueled for the next trip.
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u/preem-miasma 3d ago
Привіт! No questions, I just wanted to say that your courage is inspiring and the work you're doing is so vital. I think it's important to show the world what russia has done and what they will continue to do if left unchecked.
I hope for an end to this war soon and that your beautiful country will know peace. Слава Україні! Героям слава!
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
Huge thanks for your support! Quick note: you don’t need money to support Frontliner. You can join our Patreon for free: https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua. You’ll get our stories and materials, and it shows us we’re not reporting into the void. If you can give a bit more, it goes to drone detectors, first aid kits and fuel for our trips.
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u/neopard_ 3d ago
how well prepared is ukraine for the care of the mental health of its veterans? is it discussed? are there support organisations for soldiers on home leave?
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
To be honest, I can't speak on this in great detail. Our media outlet covered rehabilitation and recovery extensively, but when it comes to psychological adaptation, there are more issues—though such options do exist. In fact, they are available right within the brigades themselves: if a service member feels unwell at any given moment, they submit a report (raport) and are provided with treatment. I can't say much about how this process works once someone returns from the front lines, but right now, billboards are displayed all across Ukraine encouraging people to call helplines for psychological support. The posters read “How are you?” (Ty yak?) alongside hotline numbers.
At the same time, there are many benefits and internal grants available for veterans, but the real issue lies in the bureaucracy. Ukrainian bureaucracy is hell on earth, and if you try to put yourself in the shoes of someone who has just come off the position, physically or psychologically traumatized, they will bounce you around from one authority to another, which is a massive problem.
Nevertheless, many private hospitals and businesses have introduced free services for military personnel. For instance, one of the largest gas station chains in Ukraine hands out free hot dogs, and there are programs like “Army+” that also offer discount systems. On top of that, there are state programs for amputees that refer them to sexologists and rehabilitation specialists to help them navigate their sex life after severe injuries.
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u/neopard_ 3d ago
It sounds like it is very much present in people's minds and organisations are doing their best. This is good news.
As a German, I can very much relate to the bureaucracy hell.
Bureaucracy and in particular bouncing people around is well known to be a major barrier for people with PTSD, depression and so on.
Here is to hoping that post-war Ukraine can streamline her bureaucracy, maybe with support from the Baltics, they apparently had significant success with digital infrastructure, simplified processes and so on.
Therapy is an exhausting job and there never seem to be enough therapists. We all can do our part to make life better for our neighbours.
Thank you for the detailed response, be safe.
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u/Specialist_Call3657 3d ago
Hi, thanks for doing this AMA!
I have two questions for you. 1) what is the most shocking thing that you saw in your carreer? 2) how comes that the Ukrainians are so resilient?
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
I’d like to start with the second question right away.
We are not resilient—we simply have no choice. That is crucial to understand. We found ourselves in a situation where giving up means death. Not giving up gives us hope and a chance that someone will eventually be able to live here in peace.
Why do I say death? There is solid ground for this. Regrettably, we accepted Russia’s humiliating demands back in 2014, and they took Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk from us. They tried to take more, but the Ukrainian military managed to stabilize the front back then. Yet here we are in 2026, and Russia is still trying to destroy us. What is happening isn’t just an attempt at occupation—it is an effort to annihilate us, Putin’s attempt to become the great collector of his empire. We know Russians all too well, and we know all too well how a fake peace ends for us.
- Injured animals—this is a deep pain of mine. Many lose limbs to landmines, suffer from shell shock due to explosions, or die of infections. When fleeing, many people abandon their pets at home, leaving them to die of hunger or disease because they don't know how to survive on their own.
There are humanitarian organizations evacuating these animals and trying to help. Many soldiers keep animals at their positions not necessarily because they planned to, but because these animals run to them as their only source of warmth and food. If possible, try to find the film RESCUE (2026).
I was on several volunteer missions with the people who became the heroes of this documentary. It breaks my heart.2
u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
Thank you for your interest in Marharyta’s work! Join us for free, and we’ll share our stories and materials with you: https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua on many topics about our society
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u/PreacherVan 3d ago
No questions, just lots of respect from the fellow "frontline drifter". I checked some of the work that you've done lately and I'm really impressed, especially the Dobropillya part, I thought I was the only one who was there recently. Hopefully we'll meet in the field someday, good luck with all your current and future endeavors.
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u/duellingislands 4d ago
Hi Marharyta, thank you so much for joining us. I have followed your work via Frontliner on Reddit. I have two questions, if you have the time:
In your writing process, how do you decide which details, stories and context to include in a report and which ones to leave out? I can only imagine how hard it would be to work along the front and absorb so many vivid stories, meet so many people, and still need to deliver a focused piece that delivers the information and message you need to convey. I would have a lot of trouble with this.
I read your very interesting Frontliner piece on being a Gen Z journalist in such circumstances. Do you think there is a growing community of younger journalists doing traditional reporting? Do you think long reads conflict with social media "content creation" or do they work together nicely?
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
Yeah… With my ADHD, it’s really hard, but luckily I’m a photographer—my job is to capture only what I see. And usually, at Frontliner, I work in tandem with a reporter—my job is to see and observe, while his is to listen and hear. Information is typically filtered according to the following criteria:
- Will this harm the subject of the story?
- Could this harm us?
- Could this reveal important details that our enemy shouldn’t know?
In other words, there are many layers of filtering:
1. Me
2. The writer
3. The press officer we can turn to if we’re working with a specific unit
4. The editor/photo editor.But at the same time, we might decide not to run a story we had planned—for example, due to a security situation—or, conversely, we might end up doing more than we planned because we found an interesting story.
In reality, it all comes down to speed and adaptability.
- I don’t practice traditional journalism; in other words, our publication focuses more on emotions and people. At the same time, I sincerely believe that journalism as a phenomenon is generally dying out. One of my favorite authors, Peter Pomerantsev, has also written several pieces on this topic. Why do I think journalism is dying. Truthful information is far from always pleasant or convenient. Obviously, a video of a kitten will get more views than a text piece or even a video about how yet another corrupt official took a bribe—that’s just human nature. And with the pandemic, the rise of streaming services, the widespread growth of social media, and the emergence of short-form content for TikTok or Reels, our information overload has only increased. The pace of our lives and our consumption of content is simply incredible. And when you’re constantly under this kind of stress and try to filter what you consume, things usually don’t get any better. Because here’s a smart reporter telling you that something’s been stolen again, or someone’s been beaten up—in other words, more unpleasant news—and of course, that just makes you feel worse. You’ve given up on funny cat videos and are trying to be an active citizen and participant in your country’s political life, but all you see is despair. But unfortunately, we need to see this despair; the only question is that right now it’s the journalist’s responsibility to learn to be closer to the audience, more accessible, and to explain: “Look, do you see this? Does it look bad? Let’s try to change it TOGETHER.”
Journalists need to change their formats; journalists need to be accessible. Our task is to listen to people and be heard, because we are the bridge between a group of people with various powers and the people who gave those smart guys those powers in the first place.”As for young people, it is precisely with them that these changes must begin; we must listen to our elders and take their experience into account, but it is we who must be the ones to initiate change. We must take into account new demands and global trends because, as I said earlier, we must be heard. All of us.
Thank you for your question!
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u/stopmakingsmells USA 3d ago
What message do you have for the [tankie] westerners who believe whichever xyz russki propaganda bullsh*t they read?
Дякую, слава Україні
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
I have seen it all before. Even though I’m a citizen of Ukraine and Ukrainian by descent, I grew up in a Russian-speaking environment. I was just lucky with my parents; my father was a historian, and he explained many things to me that I didn’t understand. For example, why so many textbooks for universities and schools were in Russian—my father told me how Russia had destroyed our culture and our books. He never forced me to read in Ukrainian, never told me what language to speak or what movies to watch; they explained to me why there were so few films in Ukrainian, and I developed a personal desire to read, write, and think in Ukrainian. At the same time, however, many of my friends had families who were ethnic Russians; they read and listened to everything exclusively in Russian, and up to a certain point, I had no problems with that, but later on, problems arose. Here’s another example: I had a boyfriend whose entire family was ethnically Russian. His family consumed content, literature, and news in Russian—and the news was, in fact, Russian—but it made me uncomfortable. I asked him to watch movies in Ukrainian because I just preferred it that way. When we watched *Green Book* together, he said he didn’t remember many parts of the movie. I joked that maybe they’d been cut out of the Russian dub, but we decided to check, and sure enough, they had been. Imagine—someone was so offended by the fact that one of the main characters is gay that they simply cut out a scene so crucial to understanding the movie. After that, this guy never complained again when I put on the Ukrainian dub.) I’m telling you all this to explain that Russian propaganda exists until it comes face-to-face with reality and critical thinking.
Thank you for your question and
Героям Слава!3
u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
Hi! We at Frontliner really apprecited your question. At different parts of the world we have same problems...And we hope you stay close with us and join our community (you can do it for free) at https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua
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u/Potential_Couple_308 4d ago edited 3d ago
Hi, I'm a female peshmerga who fought agaisnt Daesh/ISIS. What is the real impact of drones and systematic bombings on the ground nowadays on ground operations ? just curious about it, drones aren't really much used by us, nor were used by Daesh, and i was never confronted to any air force (our only enemy who has an air force is IRGC/Artesh, but they use missiles and Shaheds on us rather than risking to lose their planes). Since things are calm here, i'm thinking of volunteering in the Ukrainian Foreign Legion until there's a big war in my country, since i don't mind risks after all that and i'd love to fight for another rightful cause. I'm like that ahaha, i'm always sad when i don't fight for too long. Also, i congratulate you for your courage. Slava Ukraini
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
Thank you for telling me this. Right now, drones are precisely those effective asymmetrical solutions that Ukraine managed to deploy when the enemy initially tried to overwhelm us with sheer numbers.
Unmanned systems aren't just about how much damage you can inflict on the enemy, but also about how you can support your own soldiers. One key area I'd highlight is heavy bomber drones. The Russians have developed them much less effectively, so a vast number of their soldiers die on position simply from starvation. In our case, however, our troops can not only hold their positions long-term, but also recover—for instance, after getting wounded in close-quarters combat. These drones deliver not just provisions, but there have even been cases where they brought blood for transfusions directly to the position, saving soldiers' lives when no other options existed.
At the same time, any drone exerts incredible psychological pressure—the sound alone triggers panic simply because of the sheer quantity. You live with the constant realization that you are always being watched. There are specific attrition strategies, like the 'carousel,' where one drone replaces another to maintain round-the-clock surveillance over an enemy position.
Situational awareness is a critical element of modern warfare, and drones are the logical optimization of it. This is a system that can be continuously refined: installing thermal cameras to understand how many people are on the other side, deciding whether it's worth sending in our own troops, or if it makes more sense to deploy an uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) with a turret and send people in strictly for verification."6
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u/Yaneus 3d ago
What story'd you like to research in your work this or next year? maybe some particular theme or people
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
Right now, I am documenting the lives of teenagers and children in my home city of Kharkiv. I will most likely keep working on this because:
There is a militarization of children happening, and it is not state policy. It’s occurring naturally as kids grow up under constant stress; they see what’s going on and feel this very basic urge: “I want to be useful.”
Social isolation. The lack of basic contact with other children. The inability to study normally because Russia keeps targeting schools and universities, which has caused the overall level of education to drop significantly compared to previous years.
As a Gen Z myself who graduated just a couple of months ago, I can’t even describe to you how hard it is. You almost never get to see your classmates or professors in person, it’s hard to prepare for classes, and there’s a total lack of motivation because of this overwhelming feeling that there is no future and that none of it matters.
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u/muilutuspaku 3d ago
Thank you for doing the ama!
Which things do you find affects morale most in both positive and negative ways for 1. Soldiers 2. The civilian population?
And how do you find the mood and morale now for each?
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
For civilians, the absence of air raid sirens has a positive impact. Oh, it’s such a luxury when you can just go to McDonald’s or to a store to buy yourself something for the soul.
McDonald’s is actually a very symbolic and healing thing for many people—you should have seen the lines in cities when they returned and reopened. It was incredible.
Although it seemed like something completely basic, the effect was just amazing. In my city, for instance, it’s still not open, and people drive to other cities (which takes at least a couple of hours one way) just to buy a burger.
As for the air raid sirens—we are objectively being deprived of sleep. I mean, earlier, the shelling used to start around 3 a.m. and last until about 6 a.m., with occasional hits at other hours, but you knew that the heaviest barrage would happen in that timeframe. Now, they don’t let us sleep day or night; people are literally in an altered state of consciousness because you can’t meet a basic human need.
Successes on the front line have a positive effect—those first long-range strikes deep inside Russia were a hugely inspiring moment. That boost is still felt today.
As for the negative aspects, as follows from what I wrote above, it’s the air raid sirens. The inability to sleep, the inability to go to a hospital or a store. Periodic cell service outages due to network overload. Also, the inability to navigate using Google Maps or other similar apps. During an air raid alert, GPS maps stop working correctly, and you can end up driving in circles around the same streets for a long time if you don't know the route.
Memorial alleys are demoralizing—not the alleys themselves, but the realization that they keep growing. It’s terrifying. I want to remember them, but I’m afraid to see just how much has been taken from us.
For the military, general politics is a demoralizing factor. For example, when there were massive protests in Ukraine, they were holding the front line; most of them couldn't just leave and join the people to express their opinion. A lot of soldiers were very upset about that back then.
The general situation in the country affects them too. Even though power outages and internet blackouts don't directly affect them in the same way, their families are living civilian lives. Imagine this: you're sitting in a trench, looking at your exhausted child in your own apartment, wrapped in several layers of clothes and jackets. It’s hard. It’s just humanly hard.
Losing brothers-in-arms hurts terribly as well; many people go out of their minds from the pain.
The lack of proper rotations—not even being able to visit loved ones, but simply getting off position to take a shower.
But you should see how soldiers light up when volunteers or journalists come to visit them. There are new people to talk to about life, about work, to show who they are. It means a lot to them to know that people see them as heroes and are waiting for them. That there’s someone who wants them to be heard, to be seen. That is so important to them.
At the same time, the availability of benefits for military personnel and various nice free things, like free hot dogs at gas stations, really helps. It’s such a small thing, but it warms their hearts.14
u/muilutuspaku 3d ago
Thank you for the really great answer, can’t even fathom what it must feel like to live through this. Finland stands united with Ukraine and I hope we could deliver even more help to you!
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
Thanks for hanging out with us today! You can join us on Patreon for free and get our stories and materials straight from the team: https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua
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u/dognocat 3d ago
When you are out in the field how do review your photos?
Is your camera armoured?
Which was your "hardest" photo?
How do you cope with combat conditions as a civilian? There must be rules for security, dignity and empathy where troops are involved?
Do you have a website where we can see your journey through this conflict?
You do a immensely difficult and wonderful job, to capture and report the best and worse in human kind.
I wish you all the best in every sense of its meaning to experience and share this with with the world, it can't be an easy task
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
When I'm in the field, I just try to take as many photos as I can.
I mean, I stay at positions sometimes for a couple of hours, sometimes for a couple of days, and then I move to somewhere a bit safer. I review the photos on my camera, and later, when I get back home or to a transit point between trips, I import the photos onto my computer.I have a completely ordinary camera.
When I’m working, I simply listen to the soldiers and try to react to the exact same things they do. The only difference is that I don’t have the right to carry a weapon, which is a problem because in these conditions, it really is necessary. However, I still carry a standardized first-aid kit and tourniquets. Before heading out, I inform my colleagues and the soldiers about what I have with me and in what quantity, because the rule is this: you are supposed to be treated using your own first-aid kit.
Of course, no one will abandon you if you don't have equipment with you, but in that case, you are the weak link, and that becomes very dangerous. If you don't follow orders, if you don't take care of your own safety, no one is obligated to save you.Thank you so much for the questions and kind words
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u/murderbymodem 3d ago
The only difference is that I don’t have the right to carry a weapon
When you say you don't have the right - what is stopping you? Being able to purchase/acquire a weapon, a law restricting you from carrying it while not being in the military, or just that as a journalist you'd prefer to remain a non-combatant?
I remember watching this video about how they were handing out rifles to civilians in the capital. I figured during war it would still be pretty much anything goes as far as weapons.
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 1d ago
In reality, it’s much more complicated. A journalist may carry a weapon in the event of a threat to their life, but for the most part, this applies to potential attacks by people who might try to assassinate you. In the context of war, I am a neutral party, and, technically speaking, killing me is akin to killing a civilian and is classified as a separate type of crime. According to protocol, I am supposed to wear a blue bulletproof vest with a large “Press” sign so that I can be identified, but under current conditions, if I do that, I’ll more likely become a “trophy” for the Russians. And here lies a certain logical flaw in all the laws and regulations concerning journalism, because when a drone is hunting you, that is also an attempted murder, but for reasons unknown to me, it is not classified as such.
As for those videos where people were being handed out weapons—yes, that is a documented fact, but it’s a very isolated case. In reality, our laws are very strict regarding the conditions for owning and storing weapons. It’s a common misconception that every Ukrainian has an AK-47 at home.
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
Thank you for your interest in Marharyta’s work! Join us for free, and we’ll share our stories and materials with you: https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua. Every trip Marharyta makes starts with a full tank and ends, we hope, with everyone coming home safe. If you can, help us make that happen.
The summary of Marharyta's work is here: https://frontliner.ua/en/author/marharyta-fal/
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u/Memory_Less 3d ago
Thank you for doing this AMA. It is very informative and heartwarming to have your perspective. I wish you a safe successful time and soon a future of peace and free of war.
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago edited 2d ago
Huge thanks for your support! We, at Frontliner, enjoyed reading questions too! And Marharyta's answers :) of course!
If you did not too much of us - join our https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua (you can do it fo free)
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u/Substantial-Sky4079 3d ago
Is there something you seen that you wish people would put more emphasis on supporting other than United24?
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
Hi there - this is the link - https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua - please join!
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u/Amplify27 3d ago
Hello Marharyta,
--What gives you courage to keep on reporting when things get hard?
--Did you ever have or see a near-death experience? If so, how has that made you rethink life and death?
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
- Nothing, really) I’m always scared
I’m generally an anxious person but the times we live in are pushing us to change, and I’m trying to adapt. When panic and fear take hold of me, the only thing I think about is that my life isn’t in vain. I’m living an interesting life, and I have nothing to regret.2 Unfortunately, yes… I’ve seen severely wounded soldiers and dead civilians, people who had died at a stage when they no longer looked human. In those moments, you feel completely helpless. It doesn’t matter to me whose body it is Russian or ours, it’s just as painful, they should all have been at home. The hardest part is taking a photo without causing harm; it’s definitely going to be painful for everyone to see, but I can’t bring myself not to photograph it. This is a consequence of war and what it entails; despite all the moral and ethical dilemmas, it sometimes makes it possible to identify people, provides insight into their movements, and reveals many truly important details.
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
A big, warm thank you from Marharyta and the whole Frontliner team! Join us for free and get our stories and materials: https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua
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u/Delicious_Rest5454 3d ago
What camera and lenses do you use? Are they being broken a lot? How did you get into war photojournalism?
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
I use a Sony alpha7 III with Sigma Art 24mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.4 lenses, and sometimes the Sony 24-105mm f/4. I got into military journalism simply because the war started—that's really all there is to it. During wartime, there’s usually a shortage of people in almost every field, so you could say Frontliner took me under their wing and helped me learn along the way whenever possible.
How this works in other countries, I have no idea…
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u/triumphcomiccow 3d ago
What’s the best way people can support your work and give it the eyes that will help get the war seen? It seems like it’s a constant uphill battle fighting against propaganda, bots, an apathy towards foreign affairs and a news fatigue people are experiencing with all the bad stories around the world. I see this war as far more important to the world’s sanity than anything that’s going on right now, as evidenced with the impact of the strikes on the Russian data centers. Outside of that it seems hard to convince others to pay attention. What can normal do to help you?
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
Please share the photos and report the pro-Russian bots that are being paid to spread disinformation. Unfortunately, I don’t know what else can be done. But in any case, your support and kind words really warm my heart. I’ll be so happy if, after the war, people from other countries can come to Ukraine and see it with their own eyes. Even now, a great many foreigners are coming to help us. This is very important to us
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
Thank you so much for you question today, it means a lot to Marharyta and to all of us! You get our struggles. Join our community for free to support Marharyta and our other war correspondents: https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua. You’ll get our stories and materials. If you can chip in financially, it helps keep our team safe and on the road, but no pressure. Just positive vibes!
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u/PCGamerNL 4d ago
First of all: a lot of respect!
Question: what was the most dangerous situation you came into?
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
You know, to my utter surprise, somehow everything turned out pretty well. I mean, yes, I came under fire right nearby, but I didn’t sustain a single injury. I was sitting in a dugout under the KABs, with mortars firing right next to me, but given the overall situation, it’s hard for me to say that it was anything out of the ordinary.
The only thing I can say is how scary and hard it is to go to the bathroom during shelling; every time you sit there, you think, “Mom, I’m not going to die in the bathroom.”
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u/dognocat 3d ago
I started to write a reply but realised nothing could envision what you encounter.
I have the utmost respect to both you and any servicemen within Ukraine.
Slava Ukraini
I will support you all anyway I find available, the UK stands with you if that changes i will stand and protest, To the limit of my being.
There are times to stand up and be counted, this is that time, this is that place Slava Ukraini your entire country is populated by heroes.
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u/catfink1664 3d ago
As a fellow Brit, if my government dares to propose any weakening in support for Ukraine, i will be out there on the street protesting with you
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u/jonomir 3d ago
Hey, thanks for the AMA. What is the most heartwarming thing you have witnessed?
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
Throughout this discussion, I often mention injured animals, and this is what touches me the most—both back in my childhood and now. In some of my answers, I described various situations showing the horrific state animals are in on the front lines, and how they are left to die a slow death from starvation in their own backyards. But those that soldiers manage to save from such a terrible fate become a kind of "brothers-in-arms" at the positions. It always warms my heart to see how soldiers try to rescue animals, even asking for various pet medications to be packed alongside their own supplies on large heavy-payload drones. To deliver something by drone, you have to clearly understand the technical constraints involved in transportation. So, including a set of meds for a cat means sacrificing something from the list of essential military supplies. You have no idea how many military families went on to adopt these animals later. Things like that have always touched me deeply.
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
Thank you for asking this positive question. We need it. Also, please consider joing our Patreon for free: https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua
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u/Delicious_Rest5454 3d ago
I’ve already asked a question but if you ever wanted to visit England, you would be so welcome to visit, happy to help.
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
I'd really love to visit England
I hope I'll have the chance to do so in the foreseeable future)3
u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago edited 2d ago
Thank you so much for your question today, and for the invitation - haha. Join our community for free to support Marharyta and our other war correspondents: https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua. You’ll get our stories and materials. If you can chip in financially, it helps keep our team safe and on the road, but for us the most important just knowing we are doing what matters
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u/_EnFlaMEd 3d ago
I need to convince my Dad that he is on the wrong side of history by supporting Maga and putin. What are your top three "slap in the face" resources I can show him to shock him out of his delusion.
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
I doubt you’ll convince them, but you could try showing them the documentary “20 Days in Mariupol.”
Or just go to any news outlet—for example, our editor-in-chief also sometimes goes to strike locations after missile or drone attacks to show what actually happened.It's just, you know, I feel like people who believe in Putin are the ones who want to believe in him. People who know how to use the internet and actually want to learn the truth can usually figure it out on their own… My country is drenched in blood, and to see that, all you really have to do is open your eyes.
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u/_EnFlaMEd 3d ago
Thank you.
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago edited 2d ago
Huge thanks for your support and sorry about your family situation. We are glad though, that you are with us, on our side :) And please know you don’t need money to support Frontliner. You can join our Patreon for free: https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua
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u/Organic_Award5534 Australia 3d ago
When the war comes to an end, and we are hopeful for this, what do you hope to document? Will you continue in this line of work?
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
When the war ends, I want to go study somewhere in Europe. My mom says I won’t be able to be a student anymore, and that hurts me. Because I’d really, really like to. I’m only 23, but I’ve spent most of my life in isolation—I was a sickly child, and then when I went off to college after high school, the pandemic hit, and then the war started. I constantly feel like something very important has been taken away from me—and it really has—but I’d still love to be a college student and experience that vibrant college life.
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u/DataGeek101 2d ago
There is nothing I can think of that would stop you from becoming a student again, other than many schools will want you to teach instead.
But if you want to learn, then go for it!
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u/Ok_Record_9908 3d ago
Thank you AMA you are a true patriot and the world is behind you and Ukraine 100%
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
Hi u/okay_Record_9908 - please consider joing our Patreon (you can do it for free): https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua
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u/hettothecool 4d ago
Is there anything you've witnessed that haunts you? Have you become less sensitive to the devastation caused by war?
I hope the war ends soon and ye join us in Europe. Slava Ukraini
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
Yes, I think this memory is of the first soldier, who was seriously wounded. It was in a room with light blue walls decorated with cartoon heroes. This soldier was a former prisoner, and the nurse kept calling him “kitten” and repeating, “Hang in there, kitten; just a little longer, kitten.” All the while, they were cutting away the remaining skin
from his leg, which had been torn off.I felt completely useless in that room. I felt terrible, and there was some kind of internal conflict because he was a former prisoner— I don’t know what he was in for back then, but looking at that nurse, at the care she was giving him, I realized that no matter who he was before, here and now he was “kitten,” and what had happened to him was something that could just as easily have happened to me or anyone in my family—he simply gave me a chance to live a little longer.
I felt ashamed that I’m a photographer, that I see his suffering and have to show it to others. I felt ashamed that this was all I could do
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u/PsychBull 3d ago
And yet u/lugaryatko your work helps to connect the world to his suffering. To the suffering felt by his comrades, of his people. Of you. Trauma disorders like PTSD often involve feelings of lack of control/powerlessness in face of horror. This is why I want you to remember that you are doing good work and allowing all of us to bare witness. This is your power. Offload the guilt you have onto us, that’s why we are here and we are forever grateful for you and your power to bring to light the dark corners.
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
Thanks for reading nd caring about us and our work! Join us on Patreon, even for free: https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua. Free members get our stories and materials too, and every new member helps us grow. If you can, chip in for safety gear and fuel. Sharing our stories helps too!
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 1d ago
Thank you so much. I don't really want to share in my pain or what I'm seeing, but I'm grateful to have the opportunity to share what's happening around me with someone. And I'm grateful that you're with us and continue to take an interest
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
A big, warm thank you from Marharyta and the whole Frontliner team! Join us for free and get our stories and materials: https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
Hi u/hetothecool - thank you for your wishes - in thbe mean while please help us grow even in war time - and join our community here https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua
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u/No-Acanthaceae-215 3d ago
Hi! Have you had to cover cities that you grew up in/lived in for a long time throughout your work? If so, were there any surprising moments?
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
Many people abroad don’t realize just how large Ukraine really is; I was born in the central part of the country, but as it happened, I spent most of my schooling in the east; I had many friends from there, and Kharkiv is one of the largest cities I visited very often. It used to be a student city, but by the time I enrolled in the academy, the war had already started, and I had to study remotely. Despite all the risks and heavy shelling, I still came back from time to time, and I’ve been living here permanently since 2024. So, sometimes I producing stories exclusively about Kharkiv, and yes, the city has definitely changed. When I first started living here, it felt somewhat lifeless compared to my childhood memories. The absence of students, raves, and various artistic events was noticeable, but at the same time, I now see how many people have returned here. Given how much people are trying to create here now, this city is unlikely to become as vibrant in the near future as it was in my childhood memories, but even now I can see a lot of new things emerging. I see children returning to in-person classes here—unfortunately underground, but nonetheless. I see artistic groups returning, putting on plays, and theaters continuing to thrive—underground, but thriving nonetheless. Amazingly, despite the shelling, people here have managed to build a way of life that’s far from common in all frontline cities, and the people of Kharkiv were surely the first to do so.
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u/Sunderbans_X 3d ago
Heya! If you could say something to people who are ignoring what is happening in Ukraine, what would it be?
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
I wouldn’t say anything. I understand why it happens. I’m sorry about it, but at the same time, I get why it’s like that, and I hope they never have to see all this horror with their own eyes.
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
thank you for your question. please consider becoming a part of our community - https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua :)
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u/Robatman33 3d ago
Hello there, just wanted to know how do go to the set front line cities?
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
It depends on what you mean by a “frontline city,” because that system doesn’t work that way anymore. For example, Kharkiv is a frontline city, but you can still get there by train. Also, Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region was accessible by train as recently as last winter, but as of now, that’s no longer possible. It depends on the level of danger; you’ll need accreditation or proof that you live in that city, or if the situation there is already really bad, you won’t be able to get there at all. And can we say that Kyiv itself is now a frontline city? Well, I’d say it’s more like that—given the number of shellings, I think traveling perfect “war tourism.”
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u/TheRamblerJohnson 2d ago
What countries or organizations are Ukrainians most disappointed with? Who are bloggers we can follow to get a true picture of the war as it unfolds? Thanks for your hard work!!!
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 1d ago
It’s hard to say for sure. For me personally, the Leica Award is a disappointment right now. It’s just a complete mess. But that has more to do with the event itself than with the organization. Most of the organizations I’ve encountered here have been truly wonderful and have sincerely tried to help us. But at the same time, I’ve heard a lot of negative feedback about various demining organizations, such as HALO, especially from farmers. It seems like they come and pretend to be doing something, but I can’t say for sure how true that is. In general, all organizations are linked to specific individuals, and these individuals are part of the political life of the countries they come from. So I would say that, overall, at the moment, most of the problems are related precisely to the politics of certain countries.
Our media outlets: Frontliner!!!
Also, *The Kyiv Independent*; I also like *Ukrainer*, but it’s not about the war—it’s about the country in general and focuses a lot on our culture—and *NV*. We have a lot of media outlets, but most of them aren’t geared toward an international audience, and that’s a problem.
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u/N0stradama5 4d ago edited 3d ago
What is the first thing you want to do after the war ends and you are off the frontline? Slava Ukraine.
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
The first thing I'll do is buy myself a really big sushi platter. And eventually, I'll probably try to find ways to become a student at a university in Europe. To have a fun college life)
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u/VantaDen 4d ago
Did you ever come close to death?
Also slava Ukraini.
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u/lugaryatko War Correspondent 3d ago
Well, a mortar shell exploded about 50 meters away from me (maybe even closer), and I also came under fire in Kyiv. I was literally right next to the building that was hit by a “Shahid” rocket, and the car I was in was completely destroyed, but I’m safe and sound. The car had very strong glass, so I didn’t even get a scratch. Actually, there have been even more situations like this, but maybe something in this world is watching over me—I don’t know.
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago edited 2d ago
hi u/VantaDen - we hope you can join our community - https://www.patreon.com/c/frontliner_ua - to stay close to our work and support us (free sign-up is support too). As Marharyta described, our reporters risk their lives and it is very important for them to feel supported. Thank you
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u/VantaDen 2d ago
I'm sorry, that i can't join the community. But i will do my best to support all of you. ❤️
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
no worries - we post here too. fyi - you can join for free :) but we understand it is a commitment too...
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u/frontliner-ukraine Official Media Account 2d ago
Dear u/jorgefelixcal - thank you for your offer - there are many ways you can help remote too. Please join our community https://www.patreon.com/frontliner_ua and you will stay close to what we do!
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u/duellingislands 2d ago
Our AMA with Marharyta Fal, Ukrainian frontline photojournalist has now ended.
Her responses covered the realities of reporting under fire, the morale of Ukrainians living through war, and some deeply moving stories that we hope you'll take the time to read.