Dariia Mykhailenko
News Writer
Dariia Mykhailenko is a news writer for UNITED24 Media covering political issues and culture. Currently she is studying Journalism at Kyiv Aviation Institute (former National Aviation University). Born in Kyiv.
Articles
![“Madyar’s Birds,” together with the “Svoboda” Battalion destroyed two Grad multiple-launch rocket systems in the Donetsk region. (Source: Madyar’s Birds)]( "Ukrainian FPV Drones Strike Russian Grad Rocket Systems in Donetsk Region, Video")
![Russian leader Vladimir Putin visits servicemen who were wounded during the Russian military action in Ukraine, at a military hospital in Moscow on October 29, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)]( "ATESH: Drunk Command Costs Russian “Alco-Battalion” Up to 100 Soldiers Monthly")
![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with press on December 23, 2025. (Source: Office of the President)]( "Zelenskyy: Ukraine Demands Fixed EU Entry Year—2027 or 2028–to Cement Security Guarantees")
![Still from the film “2000 Meters to Andriivka.” (Source: Stockholm Film Festival)]( "“2000 Meters to Andriivka” by Ukraine’s Mstyslav Chernov Ranks Second on The Guardian’s Best Films List")
![Armenian police officers secure the cordoned-off area following an armed bank robbery attempt in an HSBC bank branch in Yerevan on May 3, 2018. (Source: Getty Images)]( "Banks in Central Asia and Balkans Tighten Controls on Russian Transactions")
![He Came to Russia From Iran to Take Photos. Then He Was Sent to Fight in Ukraine]( "He Came to Russia From Iran to Take Photos. Then He Was Sent to Fight in Ukraine")
- Author
![Photo of Mykyta Ilchenko]( "Photo of Mykyta Ilchenko")
- Category
- War in Ukraine
Arash Darbandi, a 34-year-old photographer from Ahvaz in southern Iran, came to Russia in search of work and never imagined he would become part of a war. In an interview with UNITED24 Media, he describes how an ordinary attempt to earn a living spiraled into coercion, detention, and ultimately forced conscription into the Russian army.
-f561b4d4e04ef389e7d930d2663da57a.png "He Came to Russia From Iran to Take Photos. Then He Was Sent to Fight in Ukraine")
