Ukraine: Tetyana Tsyrulnik Physically Assaulted While Covering Victory Day Celebrations – CFWIJ Condemns Assault on Journalist
Location: Ukraine, Poltava
Date: May 9, 2023
Photo Credit: Vitaly Skobelsky
Protester pushes and slaps Ukrainian reporter Tetyana Tsyulnik at World War II memorial on Victory Day. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns this violent assault on a journalist filming a public event. Aggression towards media workers doing their job is unacceptable, police must swiftly investigate and hold the perpetrator to account.
Editor of Kolo.news Tetyana Tsyrulnik Tsyrulnik was assaulted by a member of the public while documenting the World War II commemoration at a May 9 Victory Day event in Poltava.
PHOTO: Footage from Vitaly Skobelsky's video / "Freedom of Words" project
One man called Tsyrulnik a supporter of Ukrainian nationalist figure Stepan Bandera while another shouted at her to stop taking photos.
Tsyrilnik identified herself as a journalist, said she had the right to take pictures in a public place, and continued filming.
Without warning, a man shoved her from behind, hurled insults at her, and pushed her out of the area. “I will hit you now,” he yelled before slapping her in the face. Video of the incident shows bystanders laughing as they watched the assault take place.
Nearby police officers witnessed the incident and intervened. Tsyrulnik told CPJ that officers advised her to make an official call to police, which she did. Police arrived and took her statement. The man identified himself to officers as Vitaliy Burmaka.
Poltava police have opened a criminal case for “threats or violence against a journalist.”
Hybrid Warfare
According to local news reports, before the incident escalated Tsyrulnik told the men threatening her that they were participating in Russia’s “Immortal Regiment” propaganda campaign.
Ukrainian officials claim this campaign is a part of “hybrid warfare” directed and financed by the Kremlin to manipulate the defeat of the Nazis to promote an ideological narrative of Russian exceptionalism.
Reporting From a War Zone
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, journalists have been navigating an incredibly dangerous environment. Six women journalists have lost their lives.
CFWIJ has compiled a selection of resources to support those reporting from Ukraine, as well as a list of women journalists covering the war. Their reporting is vital to understand the conflict and its effects.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is appalled at the treatment of Tsyrulnik, video shows that she was recording a public event without intruding upon anyone when she was viciously attacked. As anti-media rhetoric spreads, journalists have increasingly become targets for protestors and irate members of the public. Physical assaults on media workers must be strongly condemned.
We commend the Poltava police for opening a criminal investigation into the incident and call for a swift investigation and prosecution of the man involved.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.