Meet UNITED24 Media Reporters, the Faces Behind Ukraine’s Frontline Coverage

Since the launch of our website this year, you’ve been reading our news and editorial articles. But long before the website, we’ve been reporting from Ukraine’s frontlines, sharing harrowing stories of the bravery of Ukraine’s defenders as well as the very human stories of everyday Ukrainians.

These are the UNITED24 Media reporters working on the frontline, transforming the chaos of war into stories the world should not ignore.

Mykyta Ilchenko

Mykyta has covered nearly every military vehicle Ukraine’s allies have sent. How? One tank, one artillery piece at a time. He has reported on Abrams tanks to Sweden’s Archer Tanks. As we say, “If it’s rolling into Ukraine, Mykyta has covered it.” He has reported from hundreds of feet below the earth’s surface covering Ukraine’s out-of-commission nuclear command centers. He has traveled beyond borders to Russia’s Kursk region to give a firsthand account of the impact of local residents and ongoing humanitarian efforts. Mykyrta’s reporting truly knows no bounds.

Aside from his work with UNITED24 Media, Mykyta is also a musician. In his home here in Kyiv, he plays guitar and sings in a rock band. Between concerts and visits to the frontline, his favorite thing to do is go for long walks with his dog, Shalom.

Zhenia Melnyk

When she is not broadcasting as your nightly anchor from the UNITED24 Media livestream, or interviewing some of Ukraine’s most interesting personalities and change-makers, Zhenia is on the frontlines. She is known for telling human stories from some of the country’s most dangerous places and never hesitates to speak her mind. Zhenia has found herself in situations most wouldn’t dream of— like in the middle of snow-covered woods 150 meters from Russian positions.

Zhenia’s journey to frontline reporting has been shaped by her diverse experiences in media and a deep commitment to Ukraine. After studying public relations in university and completing a film and television production program in Canada, she chose to return home following the Maidan Revolution, despite plans to stay abroad. She spent years producing Ukrainian TV series and educational content, even interning with Japan’s NHK, before transitioning to digital media and launching her own production company.

When the full-scale invasion began, Zhenia shifted from producing brand content to volunteering in Kyiv and working as a fixer. before finally joining the ranks at UNITED24 Media. When she’s not in the studio, you’lll find her in the boxing ring, pushing herself just as hard as she does on the job.

Philip Malzahn

Philip has seen it all. An experienced war reporter; he has covered stories from Afghanistan to Syria to Sudan and now Ukraine. He got his start in daily print journalism and remembers the days of writing for strict deadlines in high-stress environments before the papers would be sent to printers by 1:00. He’s worked for numerous German, Austrian, and Swiss outlets including Die Welt, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, and Wiener Zeitung.

One thing that makes Philip’s reporting distinct is that he really embeds with his subjects. Take for example his coverage of a fight club in Kharkiv which ends with Philip himself jumping into the moshpit to join the other guys in hand-to-hand combat. He’s not all horse play though. In one of UNITED24 Media’s most harrowing reports, Philip found himself in a bunker with a Ukrainian unit surrounded by Russian troops. “There is a cellar,” one of the Russians says, as he and the unit wait for the enemy to come through the door. “It was the moment where my life should be flashing before my eyes,” Philip says now looking back.

Outside of news, you’ll find him dabbling in graffiti and boxing. Oh yeah and did we mention he speaks five languages?

Alexander Query

Alexander’s reporting isn’t just about the big picture—it’s about the people. Coming from a family of journalists, he was trained in France’s rigorous school of reporting. His comprehensive pieces focus on the stories that often get lost in the chaos of war. His first piece with UNITED24 Media covering Pokrovsk, for example, follows an ad-hoc group of volunteers who evacuate civilians from dangerous neighborhoods. Here, he tells the larger story about Russia’s advance on the city while offering a rare human insight into the situation on the ground.

Alexander is one of those rare expats who lived in Ukraine before the full-scale invasion. He worked as a journalist as well as with the military before joining the ranks of UNITED24 Media. Those who have met him in person will agree he has a certain je ne sais quoi that only the French can have. But all this conflict reporting and French mystique comes with a soft side too. Recently Alexander rescued and adopted a black dog from Kherson named Vatra. If you ever see Alexander around Kyiv, Vatra will likely be there by his side.