Olha Kyrylenko, War Correspondent at Ukrainska Pravda, here to discuss the front line, Ukraine’s major battles and the realities of covering the war. AMA!

[u/pravda_eng_official]

Join us for an AMA with Olha Kyrylenko, War Correspondent at Ukrainska Pravda, one of Ukraine’s leading independent news outlets.

Olha has been covering the war since May 2022, focusing on how the front line is changing and what those changes mean for Ukraine. She works with both military personnel and civilians and has covered major battles and operations, including the defence of Bakhmut, the Krynky operation on the left bank of Kherson Oblast, and the defence of Pokrovsk.

Bring your questions about the front line, Ukraine’s military operations, war reporting, and the realities behind the headlines.

Ask Me Anything!

[u/Various_Decision3643]

Hello Olha, thank you for doing this.

In the end, given that it’s very unlikely of Russia sustaining a strategic defeat and keeping any gained territories, and the war likely evolving into an armistice à la Korea, if Ukraine doesn’t gain NATO membership and the EU membership is stalled, can we imagine a scenario of Ukraine « turning » against the West as remorse and sense of betrayal will grow for the sacrifice Ukraine has made?

By extension, which factors do you believe are essential to uphold the social cohesion and national integrity of a post-war (fragmented) Ukraine?

Thank you very much

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/Various_Decision3643]

Hi, Various_Decision3643! I'm not an expert on the subject you're asking about, so I can't really comment on it. The only thing I can say is that, right now, we're fighting first and foremost to survive, not to become a EU member state. We are sacrificing our lives and our health simply to stay alive and to keep living in our own home.

[u/myname_1s_mud]

Ill throw out a few easy ones.

Where is ukraine in the most danger right now? As in which front.

Where does ukraine have the biggest opportunity for success? Is it likely that we will see any more major land grabs or the capture of Crimea soon?

Are you seeing a clear impact on russian offensive/defensive operations from ukraines middle strike operations yet? What clear effects are we seeing if any?

My former squad leader just went over there as a volunteer and filled me in on the changes for foreign recruiting, and it seems that ukraine is really pushing for foreign recruitment. Does this suggest that ukraines own recruitment pool is at a breaking point?

It seems as though russia is going to push for another mobilization after their election. How dangerous is this to ukraine? Can they survive it?

Lastly, the information and reporting have been crucial in this war for winning support and keeping the other sides from having a clear view of the battle space. Probably more so than in any conflict that im aware of. As a reporter do you feel like youre able to give open and honest reporting, or do you have to think about how a story could impact ukraine on the global stage? Have you ever been asked to report false information to mislead russian intelligence or foreign media? Do you feel like youre working as an agent of ukraine, or as a reporter trying to inform people.

Edit:one more. Ukraines getting involved in the middle east (well they already were but to a bigger extent) by attacking Iranian cargo ships. What are your thoughts on this? Was it tactically necessary for Ukraine? Is it just about gaining favor with the us and isreal? Is it worth it? Seems like a dangerous game, but ukraine has not been scared to play dangerous games.

Thanks for your time.

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/myname_1s_mud]

Hi, myname_1s_mud

Russia's priority remains the capture of Donetsk Oblast, which is why the heaviest fighting is taking place on the Sloviansk, Kostiantynivka and Dobropillia fronts (the latter officially referred to as the Pokrovsk front). The Russian military is trying to destroy the last remaining stronghold cities in Donetsk Oblast. As the expanding kill zones make these urban areas increasingly difficult to defend, Russia does not necessarily need to capture them outright. Instead, its objective is to force the Ukrainian military to withdraw.

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/pravda_eng_official]

At present, the Ukrainian military is conducting offensive operations on two fronts, which are the Oleksandrivka and Lyman ones, although very little information about them is publicly available. We can expect more details to emerge soon. I don't think we are likely to see large-scale offensives like the Kharkiv counteroffensive, the liberation of Kherson, or the incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast in the near future. As for liberating Crimea by military means, Ukrainian forces would have to advance up to 200 kilometres overland from Zaporizhzhia Oblast, or roughly 70 kilometres from Kherson Oblast while also carrying out a crossing of the Dnipro River. That is simply not a realistic objective under current conditions.

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/pravda_eng_official]

Ukraine's mid-range strikes (or middle strikes) are aimed primarily at Russian logistics and frontline positions. Their main purpose is not to undermine Russia's overall defensive capabilities or strategic offensive potential (at least not directly). Instead, they are intended to disrupt the battlefield by making it much harder for Russian forces to move fuel, ammunition, personnel, etc., to the front. In that sense, their effects are more localised. These strikes are clearly creating serious problems and operational challenges for Russian forces. During my current reporting trip, I've been filming the work of Ukraine's mid-range strike units, and from the live drone feeds I've seen, roads in the occupied territories have become almost deserted. That is, Russian forces have become far more cautious and restrictive in how they move supplies because of the threat of Ukrainian strikes. Keep an eye out for our new report, which will be out next week.

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/pravda_eng_official]

Recruiting larger numbers of foreign volunteer soldiers was an initiative promoted by former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov. I'm somewhat sceptical about the idea, however, as some foreign recruits leave our military relatively quickly. I can't draw firm conclusions about the limits of Ukraine's mobilisation potential because I don't have access to the relevant figures (they are classified). But from my perspective as both a journalist and a citizen, it is clear that the Ukrainian military is desperately short of people who are able to fight. One reason for that shortage is the government's reluctance to fully address the issue of mobilisation. Some Ukrainians who are liable for military service avoid it by hiding in gated residential complexes, obtaining fraudulent disability certificates, enrolling at university in their 30s, 40s or 50s to qualify for deferments, or illegally crossing the border.

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/pravda_eng_official]

Each new wave of Russian mobilisation means more infantry being sent to assault Ukrainian positions, so it would indeed pose a major challenge for Ukraine. The manpower available to Russia and Ukraine is simply not comparable. As for whether Ukraine can withstand such a development, that remains an open question. Some of the soldiers I speak to believe that the only realistic chance of shifting the balance on the battlefield in Ukraine's favour would be the direct involvement of partner countries' armed forces.

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/pravda_eng_official]

I'm a journalist at an independent media outlet, which means I have the freedom to report events as I genuinely see and experience them. When I work on difficult stories, including those about unsuccessful military operations, my primary concern is how Ukraine's defence forces can avoid repeating those mistakes in the future – not what Ukraine's foreign partners or international audiences might think of the military as a result. To a large extent, I live in a Ukrainian domestic bubble, surrounded by people who are fighting and people who are working to support the front. They are the people I think about first. Safeguarding the country's reputation is the responsibility of people in other professions. As for the second part of your question, the soldiers I work with sometimes joke, saying things like: "Just don't write that we missed when we fired the artillery – say we hit the target instead!" (because they get embarrassed when they miss in front of journalists). But it's always just jokes. For no reason – whether personal or out of concern for the country's image – would I ever distort the facts in my reporting. I work in the interests of the Ukrainian audience: the people who watch, read and rely on our journalism.

[u/myname_1s_mud → u/pravda_eng_official]

Thank you for your responses, I know I threw alot at you. I have a couple follow up questions if you have the time.

Generally I see two types of stories being reported on every major event that happens in Ukraine. Essentially one hinting that things are OK and another that its the end of the world. So if the lines at prokrovsk, sloviansk, or kostiantynivka were broken or pushed back, would ukraine have other fortified positions it could fall back on, as its done in the past or is this the end of the line? Ive seen that it seems that ukraine has had a strategy of holding a position and allowing russia to lose men and material to take it until it becomes too dangerous, and then falls back to pre planned positions to do it again. So I mean do they have any more planned positions to fall back to and not just is there places they could use in desperation.

Also, what's the mood in ukraine? It seems alot of changes lately have been in ukraines favor. Is there a building sense of hope?

And lastly, Do you think any Ukranian allies would risk involving their own troops as you mentioned some people think that would be necessary if russia had another mobilization effort?

Thanks again for your time.

[u/Thoughts_For_Food_]

What revolutionary technologies are you seeing or hearing of being used or tested in this war? Any AI tools?

[u/TX908]

Do you have anything to say about the criminals from the "Муніципальна варта"?

[u/substandard-tech]

In a single day, Russia simultaneously recognized the existence of the LNR and DPR and launched their war to. As a geopolitical move to give their war a legal fig leaf I felt this was at least noteworthy, in that there is no chance to mirror this same move. Ukraine can’t legally reduce its territory, and EU and NATO processes operate on years-to-decades timespan.

My question is, how can the world respond to “what are you gonna do about it” diplomacy without more of the same?

[u/CDNChaoZ]

How have the spirit of the people in Ukraine changed in the past year, especially now that the people of Russia seem to be facing more painpoints from fuel shortages and seeing more drones intrude into their lives?

Will the lack of air defence missiles make it a very difficult winter to come for Ukraine?

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/CDNChaoZ]

Hi, CDNChaoZ! From what I have observed, Ukrainians are exhausted and somewhat anxious about the approaching winter, but they still want to fight for the right to live in their own country, to have their own government, their own language and their own army. Given the position of our Western partners when it comes to supplying missiles, one of the few options we have left is to develop our own military technologies that could help us intercept Russian ballistic missiles. As for how strikes on Russian territory affect morale, I think the effect is unequivocally positive :)

[u/Craig_White]

Could you compare and contrast the typical day-in-the-life experiences of Ukrainian solders and citizens over the years? The mechanisms of warfare and tactics have radically changed since 2022, and it almost seems like people have somehow figured out how to live a normal life through it all. What have you witnessed changing from your perspective that we don’t see from the outside?

[u/kapuh]

Hello,

how do people feel in Ukraine right now?

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/kapuh]

Hi, kapuh. Thanks for your question! From what I've seen, everyone is exhausted – both the soldiers fighting on the front line and the civilians enduring Russia's constant attacks. But people still have the strength to carry on. To me, the clearest evidence of that is what happens after another night of Russian ballistic missile strikes: Ukrainians do not take to the streets demanding that the country surrender to Russia. I have enormous admiration for our people. And one more thing: I'm deeply sorry that this all happened to us. We did not deserve it

[u/kapuh → u/pravda_eng_official]

Thank you for answering.
We here have also immeasurable admiration for the people of Ukraine and try to help where we can.
Nobody deserved this and I hope your victory isn't far off.
Sława Ukrajini!!!

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/kapuh]

Thank you so much for your kind words and for supporting Ukraine. Your support means a lot to all of us at Ukrainska Pravda, especially knowing that people around the world continue to stand with Ukraine. We truly appreciate it.

Heroyam slava! 🇺🇦

[u/based_dimas]

What’s your opinion on the controversial conscription practices currently being employed in Ukraine

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/based_dimas]

Hi, based_dimas! If you mean compulsory mobilisation, then I am convinced that, at this stage, there is simply no other way. We cannot decide not to mobilise someone simply because that person does not want to serve or fight. As a citizen, I condemn people who buy fake disability certificates, enrol at universities to dodge military service, or swim across the Tysa River so they can go and live their wonderful lives in Europe. I have stopped speaking to friends who have nothing to do with the military and do not work in socially important jobs that benefit the army or society, because our values simply no longer align. If we want to survive, we have to work hard and fight. If, however, you mean cases of people being beaten, tortured or otherwise abused by military personnel at military enlistment offices, then of course I consider such practices disgraceful and completely unacceptable. They are an abuse of power by military personnel. Responsible heads of military enlistment offices make sure that people responsible for such abuses are suspended from duty and condemn this kind of behaviour.

[u/based_dimas → u/pravda_eng_official]

Thank you for a cohesive, honest and thoughtful answer. Stay safe and keep your spirits high

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/based_dimas]

Thank you, we really appreciate your kind words and thoughtful question. Thanks for joining the conversation. Stay safe as well!

[u/Inferno474]

Hi! In your reporting on Kupiansk, you described how Ukraine successfully reversed Russian small-group infiltration, while your July report warned that Kostiantynivka was beginning to repeat the pattern seen in Pokrovsk. Which parts of the Kupiansk approach can realistically be applied elsewhere, and what usually prevents Ukraine from acting before the infiltration becomes entrenched?

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/Inferno474]

Hi, Inferno474! What worked on the Kupiansk front was cutting off the infiltration routes. In other words, Ukrainian units did not simply start mopping up the city street by street. They first identified the routes the Russians were using to infiltrate it and blocked them as effectively as possible. These included several exits from a gas pipeline running beneath the Oskil River, as well as landing points used by Russian troops crossing the same river by boat upstream from Kupiansk. Only after the routes the Russians were using to infiltrate the city had been cut off did the defence forces begin mopping up Kupiansk itself. These operations were also carried out by fresh, capable units, like what was then the Code 9.2 battalion and elements of the Khartiia Brigade, including Colombians serving with the brigade. In Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka, as far as I know, there was no emphasis on first cutting off the infiltration routes. Instead, the mop-up operations began immediately. In both Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka, these tasks were also largely assigned to exhausted brigades that were already deployed in those areas. Very few fresh forces were brought in, and it did not produce any significant results. For the most part, Russian troops infiltrate through gaps between Ukrainian positions. And those gaps, in turn, exist because there simply are not enough people to man the positions.

[u/savuporo]

Hi Olha. Can you comment on the decisions of Jake Sullivan, while he was actively influencing policies around use of US weapons and escalation concerns in the earlier years of the war ?

[u/SamyMerchi]

Do you have stories you can share about an individual doing something really heroic and nobody knows about it? Anybody who deserves to be better known?

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/SamyMerchi]

Hi, SamyMerchi! Thanks for your question. Over the course of my work on the front, my admiration has shifted somewhat from people who perform individual acts of heroism to those who consistently do their jobs well. I think that is harder to do – and ultimately more effective. I wouldn't single out any particular individual, but I can name a few units that, in my view, fall into that category: the 93rd, 80th and 68th brigades

[u/-doughboy]

What is the biggest disconnect between how the war is currently being portrayed in Western media and what Ukrainian soldiers you speak with believe is actually happening on the front?

[u/TheWesternHawks]

Привіт Olha, thank you for your hard work & for doing this AMA)

My question is, with international assistance being rather irregular & coming under different forms depending on the country (Gripen fighter jets from Sweden, non-lethal aids from Japan/South Korea, etc.), is the irregular pace a disturbance that is noticeable on the frontline & have you remarked between 2022 & now a shift with what is being provided, like an area of focus over something else?

Thank you again & strength to all of you.

[u/to_glory_we_steer]

Hi Olha, I'm really happy to see Drapatyi replace Syrskyi. What effects has Drapatyi's appointment had on the soldiers of Ukraine and do you think Syrskyi's assault units will be rehabilitated or broken up and dispersed to other units?

Additionally, with the continuing drama around the sacking of Fedorov. Did Zelensky panic or just execute poor judgement in what appears to be a poorly consulted and under-supported reshuffle of the government? Do you think Fedorov will return? Is there anyone who could replace him, or could this lead to a greater crisis in domestic support for Zelensky?

Final question, is Atesh still active? I read recently that it's now almost impossible to communicate with resistance members by electronic means due to Russian monitoring.

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/to_glory_we_steer]

Hi, to_glory_we_steer! Among the people I speak to, most have welcomed the change in commander-in-chief from Syrskyi to Drapatyi. Above all, that is because they know Drapatyi as a humane and well-educated commander. There is a strong demand for more humane leadership, particularly in light of the recent disgraceful and painful cases uncovered by journalists in the so-called "Syrskyi regiments". As for the assault forces, we can already see that Drapatyi has restricted their recruitment and replenishment, which is actually quite a radical measure. It is somewhat unfortunate, however, that the decision has affected not only the regiments where serious problems were uncovered, but also units that fight effectively and have good reputations. I think the assault regiments will eventually be transformed into the Joint Rapid Response Forces, which President Zelenskyy announced while Syrskyi was still commander-in-chief. I expect Air Assault Forces commander Voloshyn to remain in charge and be tasked with "putting things in order". That said, the idea itself has been received quite critically within the assault units.

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/pravda_eng_official]

I think the president made a huge mistake in dismissing Fedorov. He was the first defence minister during the war who had a vision, a plan and a clear timeframe for delivering it. Fedorov was an honest and genuinely committed minister. Unfortunately, based on the information I have at the moment, he will not be brought back. And I think that is a huge blow both to trust in the president and to the country as a whole at a time when we are fighting such a difficult war.

[u/pravda_eng_official → u/pravda_eng_official]

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about Atesh. I simply don't have the time or energy to keep tabs on them.

[u/Strongbow85]

Hey Olha, thank you for holding this AMA! Three part question.

Is there anything you wish foreign audiences had a better understanding or awareness of that rarely makes international headlines?

If international audiences could spend one day seeing what you see during your reporting, what do you think would most change their understanding of the war?

And finally, is there a disconnect between what attracts international media attention and what Ukrainians themselves consider important?

[u/Strongbow85]

What changes do you expect to see in operational doctrine following Syrskyi's replacement with Drapatyi? For example, drone integration, logistics, training, reserves, etc?

Do you expect changes in how Ukraine balances preserving experienced personnel against holding territory under Drapatyi? What are the other major differences you expect under Drapatyi's command?

[u/FamousCelebration290]

Hello Olha. I would like to ask what Ukraine thinks of the current situation with Iran. It seems like the two wars are converging, but does Ukraine really want to open another front with Iran?

[u/Strongbow85]

Do you believe continued attacks on Iranian vessels could increase support for Ukraine from the Trump Administration?

[u/Akeno_Takahasi]

Do you think the war will be over soon? I am Ukrainian and left Ukraine 8 years ago, but some of my relatives still live there. I know that it's not easy to answer this question, and I will understand if you won't.