Oleksii Savchenko
Press Coordinator at UDA / Journalist & Field Producer
About Me
I’m from Mariupol. Never in a million years did I think its name would be carved alongside Grozny, Aleppo, and dozens of other cities razed to the ground by Russia.
When the invasion started, I joined the Territorial Defense Forces. I didn’t plan to become a journalist, but there was no real war where we were posted. It was happening just around the corner — in Irpin, Bucha. So that’s where I headed.
I helped foreign journalists get into hotspots. Then came a month in Orikhiv, where everything got real — my first thousand-yard stare.
After that, United24 Media, where I kept going as a journalist.
That work brought me closer to the military side and eventually into my current role with the Ukrainian Volunteer Army.
Today I serve as press coordinator for the Ukrainian Volunteer Army (UDA), helping international media work safely in combat zones and telling our own stories honestly, without filters.
I want the world to see what the people of Ukraine are living and dying through, and why no one can look away.
I don’t care about other wars.
I care about our victory.
Selected Work
Wolfgang Schwan – Frontline Photo AssignmentsLe Monde – “Those who can’t dig, they die”The Times – Ukrainian Sea Drones & Intelligence OperationsThe Times – Cover Story with the 47th BrigadeUnited24 Media – The battle for Bakhmut. INSIDE Ukraine's Fight.United24 Media – Missile Strike / Tank HuntingLCI (TF1 Info) – 21 jours sur le frontJohanna-Maria Fritz – A Grave in the Garden (World Press Photo 2024)FIGRA Documentary – Ukraine, des femmes dans la guerre Margaux Benn – Le Figaro / Work with Albert Londres Prize Winner RoleWorked With / Collaborated With (2022–2025)
Media Outlets:
The Times (UK), The Guardian, Le Monde, Der Spiegel, United24 Media, Bloomberg, Le Figaro, Canal+, Die Zeit, Die WELT, TF1, NRK1, VRT NWS, TRT World
Individuals:
Wolfgang Schwan, Margaux Benn, Johanna-Maria Fritz, Bob Seely, Annabel Moeller, Rohit Kachroo (ITV News), Anas Mallick (WION)
Contact
savchenkoai@gmail.com
Personal Touch
When I’m not dodging drones or briefing foreign media, I’m proudly being walked by this Pokrovsk survivor — 6 km a day, rain or shine.
