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Zelenskyy Awards 21 Journalists, Paying Tribute to Four Killed by Russia’s Aggression
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
On November 16, Ukraine marked Radio, Television and Communications Workers’ Day with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy honoring 21 media professionals for their contributions. Four were recognized posthumously after being killed as a result of Russia’s aggression.
The decree was published on the President’s official website on November 15.
Posthumous state honors—the Order “For Merit” (III Class)—were awarded to Freedom TV correspondent Alyona Hubanova and cameraman Yevhen Karmazin, who were killed on October 23 in Kramatorsk when Russian forces struck with a Lancet drone. From the first days of the full-scale invasion, both reported from Donetsk region, documenting Russian war crimes, civilian evacuations, and the daily realities of Ukrainian soldiers.
The same award was given to Kostiantyn Huzenko, a photographer for Ukraїner who was killed on November 2. After 2022, he documented the consequences of Russia’s invasion and later served as a press officer for the 35th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Ostrohradskyi. In May 2025, he joined “On the Line of the Frame,” a documentary series highlighting Ukrainian photographers who enlisted while continuing their journalistic work.
French photojournalist Antoni Lallican was also honored posthumously. He was killed by a Russian FPV drone on October 3 near Druzhkivka while working alongside a freelance photographer Heorhii Ivanchenko, who was wounded.
Both wore protective gear clearly marked “PRESS” and were accompanied by a press officer. Lallican was the third French journalist killed during Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine, having documented its consequences since March 2022. Ivanchenko was also awarded for his work.
Previously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at 23 press conference in Brussels that 135 media workers have been killed by Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion.
“Since 2022, Russia has killed 135 media representatives – simply because they were reporting the truth about what is happening in Ukraine, about this war, about Russian aggression,” he said. Zelenskyy noted that on the same day, a Russian Lancet drone strike in Kramatorsk killed journalist Alyona Hubanova and cameraman Yevhen Karmazin, while special correspondent Oleksandr Kolychev was injured.
He emphasized that sanctions and air defense support remain essential for Ukraine’s security. “Pressure also means weapons and air defense – first and foremost, for us,” Zelenskyy added.
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