2023-05-22

KYIV - "Spektr.Press" presents a Project 'Private War', which is combined of a series of publications about foreigners who decided to participate in the military conflict in Ukraine.

This war is not only fought by national military forces of Russia and Ukraine, but dozens of thousands are fighting this war on their own call. Depending on their attitude , they can be perceived as "mercenaries" or "volunteers", and the difference between them is not always obvious. The Russian Ministry of Defense has even introduced an euphemism "assault squads" denoting pro-Russian Private military companies, which commonly hire their servicemen among sentenced criminals and send them to the front line. On the other hand, The Armed Forces of Ukraine include a so-called Foreign Legion with fighters from all over the world. They chose the war and the side, although they were not obliged to do so and do not always meet the expectations of their own governments in their home countries.

Whoever they are these people are going to bring their war experience and PTSD back home which might affect the life of their local communities dramatically.

With the support of the Journalismfund Europe, "Spektr.Press" explored this phenomenon and spoke with voluntary participants in this war who have fought on both sides. The project materials are presented in several formats: professional expertise, reportage and interviews in text and video. The materials are accompanied by exclusive photos and videos and are the production of a team of independent journalists and videographers who came together to implement it at the initiative of "Spektr.Press".

Team members

Dmito Durnev

Since 1996 Dmito Durnev started writing articles for the newspaper, while working at the hospital In Ukraine.

Dmito Durnev

Ilia Shablinskii

Since 1986, Ilia Shablinskii is a member of the movement for the revival of independent trade unions in USSR.

Ilia Shablinskii

Marina-Maya Govzman

Marina-Maya Govzman is a correspondent and freelance journalist specializing in the social and political aspects of Russian reality.

Marina-Maya Govzman

Nikita Varenov

Nikita Varenov is a news journalist and editor specializing in Russian domestic politics and international relations.

Nikita Varenov

Alexey Voloshinov

A media producer, author, Head of a Video Production team specializing in reportage and video analytics production.

Alexey Voloshinov
Media

Spektr.Press

Spektr.Press is a media outlet based in Riga, Latvia covering all topics related to social and political issues in Russia and across the Eastern European countries. 

Supported
€23.900 allocated on 28/10/2022
ID
CBL/2022/019
Grant

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