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FAQ

 Information a Foreign Journalist Who Starts Working in Ukraine Needs to Know

1. GETTING ACCREDITATION FROM THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE Back

Accreditation is required to work in the combat zone, at military infrastructure facilities and to attend defence forces press events.

For accreditation, follow the QR code and fill out the form on the website of the Ministry of Defence

2. RESTRICTIONS Back

There are reporting restrictions, imposed by the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine which include (but not limited to):

  • names of military units and divisions, their location, the number of personnel;
  • weapons and defense equipment, their condition and place of storage;
  •     current or planned combat operations.

It is prohibited to film and photograph (unless cleared with authorities):

  • military weapons and machinery (except visible or obviously expressed);
  • defence forces’ activities; 
  • search and rescue operations for missing aircraft, ships.

Due to the scope and unpredictability of the military operations, we strongly advise you to consult with the representatives of the defence forces or authorities every in any situation of a doubt. 

Photos and video of air strikes (including missles falling, places of explosion, objects hit) that disclose or identify the location can be published only after the official release (or clearance).

3. PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Back

A bulletproof vest, a helmet and a first aid kit can be obtained free of charge from the Institute of Mass Information NGO (IMI).

To do this, you need to fill out a Google form (https://bit.ly/48pX9GZ). After that, the coordinators will contact you.

Protective gear can be obtained at the IMI office in Kyiv, as well as at IMI media bases in 11 cities: Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Kropyvnytskyi, Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odesa. If necessary, protective equipment will be mailed to you.

4. WHERE TO GET RELIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HOSTILITIES IN UKRAINE Back

Due to unprecedented amount of unverified information and intentional disinformation, we strongly recommend to get updates on the war from official sources and credible media. 

Briefings of government representatives, military and public figures take place at Media Center Ukraine and are broadcast live on the website and YouTube channel.

You can find a list of reliable sources offering information about the war in Ukraine in English here.

You can track all events related to the war in Ukraine on this map.

5. THE COMMUNITY Back

You can meet foreign media representatives in the Media Center Ukraine co-working spaces in Kyiv and Kharkiv.

6. FIXERS Back

Media Center Ukraine will help you to find a fixer or (if you already have one) will connect him with the fixers community and activities we support. 

7. What are the correct spellings of Ukrainian cities and regions? Back

Kyiv not Kiev
Kharkiv not Kharkov
Dnipro not Dnepr
Donbas not Donbass
Odesa not Odessa

You can find more information about communicating about Ukraine correctly here.

 

8. SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS Back

Curfew

For the time of the martial law, a curfew has been introduced nationally. In most of the territory it starts at 23:00 and lasts until 05:00, although the curfew time might differ between the oblasts (the regions).

At this time, it is forbidden to be outside, except for your shortest route to a shelter during air raid.

Air raid

During an air raid, you should immediately move to the nearest shelter. 

Please download Air Alert app to your mobile phone to be aware of the start and all-clear of air raids.

9. MEDIA CENTERS UKRAINE CONTACTS Back

Media Center Ukraine operates in two cities.

 

Media Center Ukraine (Kyiv)

Address: Borysa Hrinchenka 9

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: +38 091 481 00 04

 Kharkiv Media Hub

Address: 5 Svobody St., Derzhprom, entrance 5

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: +38 093 604 01 01