When Liubov Sitak took the stage in Brussels, tears welled in her eyes as she began speaking about her work as a war correspondent in northeastern Ukraine.

"At home, I never cry," she told DW in an exclusive interview after the event. "Only here, far away from home, I realize how much pressure I'm under, and how my normality is not normal elsewhere in Europe."

At just 20 years old, Liubov Sitak has already seen more than most journalists ever will. From the border region of Sumy, she reports for Kordon.Media — "Kordon" meaning "border" in Ukrainian — a small independent outlet she joined two years ago. Her work takes her to bombed-out villages and evacuation zones, where she documents destruction, interviews survivors, and verifies casualties of Russian attacks.

Ukrainian Media Talk

The young journalist was one of 10 Ukrainians presenting their workat the "Ukraine Media Talk – Stories from the Frontline." The DW Akademie event gathered European policymakers, media experts, and supporters to discuss how to keep Ukraine's independent media alive at a time when Russian misinformation is rampant and funding increasingly scarce.

More than once, Liubov Sitak thought that a reporting mission might be her last. This spring, she narrowly escaped death when two Russian rockets landed less than 200 meters from where she was documenting Red Cross volunteers helping civilians flee. She thought it was the end, but kept filming. "My instinct to report was stronger than my instinct to survive," she recalled.

A heavy death toll

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 116 journalists have been killed, 18 of them while reporting. "With every journalist killed, we lose a voice and a part of our democracy and freedom," said Barbara Massing, Director General of Deutsche Welle.

During her keynote speech, she underlined that in times of war, free information is scarce and people's ability to make their own choices is jeopardized. This is why DW, as Germany's international broadcaster, has been supporting Ukrainian media to make their voices heard. 

Cooperation with Ukrainian media has been ongoing since the 90s. One of the most important projects was the development of Ukraine's modern public broadcaster "Suspilne" in 2014. Between 2024 and 2026, the European Union is contributing €3.7 million ($4.3 million) to fund DW Akademie's media development projects in Ukraine.

Fighting disinformation and fear

For Sitak, this support is not abstract. Without these grants, her work would barely be possible. Since USAID scaled back its assistance, partnerships with DW and EU-funded programs have become vital, allowing her small newsroom to pay salaries and stay operational.

But financial stability is only part of the challenge. "Every month, Russian drones come closer," she said. "We need an armored vehicle just to drive safely along the frontline. Indicating that you're a journalist doesn't help; the Russians will bomb you either way."

Journalism as a pillar of democracy

The discussion on stage at the Representation of North Rhine-Westphalia, where the event was hosted, made clear that people like Liubov Sitak do more than just keep citizens informed, they guarantee the survival of a free press.

"Supporting Ukrainian independent media counters disinformation and safeguards democracy – in Ukraine and throughout Europe," said DW Director General Barbara Massing, emphasizing that this is also an information war. "These media outlets live where the war is raging, both online and at their doorstep. They cannot continue to do their vital work without European support."

A country beyond war

When asked what message Liubov Sitak has for the international audience, she doesn't hesitate. "People abroad must know there is war in Sumy," she said. "Very few foreign journalists come here. If we stop reporting, or the world stops paying attention, then Sumy will simply disappear."

Her determination reflects the spirit of a new generation of Ukrainian journalists, young and deeply committed to telling their country's story, even when the world's attention drifts elsewhere.

Like many of her peers, Sitak dreams of one day reporting on peace rather than war. That would likely mean the end of her role as a war correspondent, but not as a journalist.

"I want to continue my calling, reporting on Ukraine. But I want people in Europe to know my home for more than war, to see it as a country full of life, creativity, and hope," she said.

Edited by: Rob Mudge