Andriy is the founder and director of an independent media outlet Donbas Frontliner, a reporter and photographer. Andriy is the first Euromaidan streamer. He filmed and streamed many events of the Revolution of Dignity, including the tragic days of 18, 19, 20 February 2014. At the moment, most of his work is focused on the coverage of the war with Russia in the east of Ukraine.
Recently, Donbas Frontliner and the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers (UAPP) signed a memorandum on long-term cooperation.
We talked to Andriy about his experiences documenting the war, the importance of working with an English-speaking audience, and how to get access to the most difficult footage.
The focus in 2021 was indeed on the east. It was the place where the "forgotten" line of the war was. After Russia invaded, the whole Russian-Ukrainian war was covered.
Our media is a reporter's media. This means that we only publish and create content about what we see with our own eyes. We do not repost. There are no investigations. We are very visual - photos, short videos, text - what is currently relevant on social media, both for Ukrainian and English-speaking users (90% of Frontliner's Instagram followers are English-speaking). These formats are important to keep audiences informed about what is happening against the backdrop of a natural decrease in interest in the war in Ukraine.
There is no universal algorithm. You always have to think and assess the risks. Everyone makes mistakes... Clap your hands loudly. This is enough time for you or someone around you to die or be seriously injured. You should always remember how short this "clap" is. However, once you have made up your mind and gone to a hazardous place, you must be "dressed" (armor, helmet, goggles, first aid kit, turnstiles), quick, and aware of your surroundings.
You must obey the military. It is advisable to go with experienced military men whom you trust. And you must have experience. Preferably real experience. At least you can take courses and training that give you the reflexes to act in extreme situations.
Not knowledge! But the reflexes you have developed (whistle-fall)!
In critical situations, the body only works on reflexes.
The aim of the project is to show Ukraine and the world the reality of the Ukrainian-Russian war. As it is, without embellishment or propaganda. To document the war and the war crimes. There are already many people involved in the project - me, my wife Lisa, Olya, Danya, Eva, Sabina, Olena, and Alena. And we are looking for more. The project is growing. Young reporters should write, we'll look at their work experience and portfolio, and then we'll decide.
We are joining our efforts to support professionals in the field, as well as to help young ambitious authors to use their potential in the field of reportage and documentary photography, and cinematography.
We are currently developing an educational information campaign about the opportunities for young documentary filmmakers, who we want to connect with all the necessary knowledge they lack on the basis of Frontliner. We are planning to reveal all these meanings and attract new young people to work with us.
This is mega important! If you help the NYTimes, CNN, BBC, or other foreign media (not just English language media) to tell a story, they will show it to millions of people in their countries. You are never going to be able to do that on your own. So when you are in contact with reporters, be super-mega-important about this kind of help. And always help!
We influence the leaders of the countries that give us humanitarian, financial, and military aid through this level of audience. Without this media, without the awareness of foreign audiences, Ukraine would have been under occupation long ago. That's why I've been telling stories and helping foreign (and Ukrainian) journalists since before the "full-scale" war. Hundreds of cases of help exist. From mundane contacts with brigade press officers, how to get there and where to stay, to insights and contacts that helped very important investigations (like the Pulitzer Prize-winning NYTimes investigation into Russian army civilian killings in Bucha).
Lend a hand!
Andriy Dubchak — photojournalist, war reporter, first streamer of “Euromaidan”. Founder and head of Frontliner, an independent news media outlet.
Photographer's social networks: Instagram, Facebook
The material was worked on:
Researcher of the topic, author of the text: Marusya Maruzhenko
Site Manager: Vladislav Kuhar
Andriy is the founder and director of an independent media outlet Donbas Frontliner, a reporter and photographer. Andriy is the first Euromaidan streamer. He filmed and streamed many events of the Revolution of Dignity, including the tragic days of 18, 19, 20 February 2014. At the moment, most of his work is focused on the coverage of the war with Russia in the east of Ukraine.
Recently, Donbas Frontliner and the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers (UAPP) signed a memorandum on long-term cooperation.
We talked to Andriy about his experiences documenting the war, the importance of working with an English-speaking audience, and how to get access to the most difficult footage.
The focus in 2021 was indeed on the east. It was the place where the "forgotten" line of the war was. After Russia invaded, the whole Russian-Ukrainian war was covered.
Our media is a reporter's media. This means that we only publish and create content about what we see with our own eyes. We do not repost. There are no investigations. We are very visual - photos, short videos, text - what is currently relevant on social media, both for Ukrainian and English-speaking users (90% of Frontliner's Instagram followers are English-speaking). These formats are important to keep audiences informed about what is happening against the backdrop of a natural decrease in interest in the war in Ukraine.
There is no universal algorithm. You always have to think and assess the risks. Everyone makes mistakes... Clap your hands loudly. This is enough time for you or someone around you to die or be seriously injured. You should always remember how short this "clap" is. However, once you have made up your mind and gone to a hazardous place, you must be "dressed" (armor, helmet, goggles, first aid kit, turnstiles), quick, and aware of your surroundings.
You must obey the military. It is advisable to go with experienced military men whom you trust. And you must have experience. Preferably real experience. At least you can take courses and training that give you the reflexes to act in extreme situations.
Not knowledge! But the reflexes you have developed (whistle-fall)!
In critical situations, the body only works on reflexes.
The aim of the project is to show Ukraine and the world the reality of the Ukrainian-Russian war. As it is, without embellishment or propaganda. To document the war and the war crimes. There are already many people involved in the project - me, my wife Lisa, Olya, Danya, Eva, Sabina, Olena, and Alena. And we are looking for more. The project is growing. Young reporters should write, we'll look at their work experience and portfolio, and then we'll decide.
We are joining our efforts to support professionals in the field, as well as to help young ambitious authors to use their potential in the field of reportage and documentary photography, and cinematography.
We are currently developing an educational information campaign about the opportunities for young documentary filmmakers, who we want to connect with all the necessary knowledge they lack on the basis of Frontliner. We are planning to reveal all these meanings and attract new young people to work with us.
This is mega important! If you help the NYTimes, CNN, BBC, or other foreign media (not just English language media) to tell a story, they will show it to millions of people in their countries. You are never going to be able to do that on your own. So when you are in contact with reporters, be super-mega-important about this kind of help. And always help!
We influence the leaders of the countries that give us humanitarian, financial, and military aid through this level of audience. Without this media, without the awareness of foreign audiences, Ukraine would have been under occupation long ago. That's why I've been telling stories and helping foreign (and Ukrainian) journalists since before the "full-scale" war. Hundreds of cases of help exist. From mundane contacts with brigade press officers, how to get there and where to stay, to insights and contacts that helped very important investigations (like the Pulitzer Prize-winning NYTimes investigation into Russian army civilian killings in Bucha).
Lend a hand!
Andriy Dubchak — photojournalist, war reporter, first streamer of “Euromaidan”. Founder and head of Frontliner, an independent news media outlet.
Photographer's social networks: Instagram, Facebook
The material was worked on:
Researcher of the topic, author of the text: Marusya Maruzhenko
Site Manager: Vladislav Kuhar
UAPP is an independent association of professional Ukrainian photographers, designed to protect their interests, support, develop and promote Ukrainian photography as an important element of national culture.
UAPP's activities span educational, social, research and cultural initiatives, as well as book publishing.
UAPP represents Ukrainian professional photography in the international photographic community and is an official member of the Federation of European Photographers (FEP) — an international organization representing more than 50,000 professional photographers in Europe and other countries around the world.
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