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War in Ukraine

Our Editors Look Back at the Stories That Moved Them and Mattered Most in 2024

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This year, we explored diverse stories from Ukraine that shed light on the daily realities of war and the strength of its people in the face of adversity.

As we look back on the year, we recall the stories that deeply impacted us and resonated across the globe. Some made international headlines; others touched us on a personal level. Together, they ensured that the struggles and resilience of Ukraine and its people remained in focus.

As editors, we’ve commissioned and edited stories that not only informed our readers but also illuminated often-overlooked realities. Some stories were planned for months; others came unexpectedly. Whether they took us to the frontlines or into quiet rooms where history was made, one thing is clear: our contributors poured immense effort and heart into bringing these stories to you, our readers, to shed light on the country we call home.

Valeriia Voshchevska:

I’m personally really moved by the real, raw, and honest stories of Ukrainians who have lived through the unimaginable—a full-scale war that has changed the lives of millions forever. These stories are diverse, they are different, and they allow us to better understand the realities of everyday life for people in Ukraine, showing just how brutal Russia’s war and occupation have been. In my view, the firsthand accounts of the Ukrainian people are the most powerful antidote to Russian propaganda. It’s hard to argue with the lived experiences of real individuals, which is why I’ve chosen these stories:

I love this article, in which Vlada interviewed many young people in the army. It captures how Ukraine’s Gen Z, raised in an independent nation, are confronting the stark reality of Russia’s full-scale invasion, quite literally, by joining the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It offers a window into a generation shaped by war and unwavering resolve to defend the only Ukraine they’ve ever known.

This beautifully written piece highlighted the often-overlooked story of the men and women who hunt Russian drones at night in Ukraine. It’s a tribute to those who work behind the scenes to protect people daily. Our author, Audrey, went and actually saw how they worked, which I think is why the piece was so raw and powerful:

People have diverse experiences of war. This piece was extremely important to me as it showed the different choices women had to make during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Some joined the army, others had to take on roles they never anticipated, and many became the sole caregivers for their families. It is poignant and essential:

Eugene Slavnyi:

One story that stands out to me in particular is the piece by our reporter, Phil. The headline speaks for itself: 

Up until then, our focus was mainly on showing a lot of Western equipment and infantry operations in Ukraine. But it’s always been incredibly difficult to capture the work of special units that operate directly on the front lines, often in highly dangerous situations. We have plenty of footage from body cams and helmet cams, as well as interviews and post-operation shots. But it’s extremely rare to capture authentic footage of these operations in real-time. It’s only now that we understand why. But we wanted to try and do it. 

But also the story of the unit is important. To me, this unit perfectly encapsulates the real spirit of Ukraine. These guys are just regular people—punks from Odesa—who decided to step up and defend their country. They trained hard, joined the fight, and became this incredible special unit. They exemplify the essence of this war, where professional soldiers make up only about 10-20% of the army. The rest are volunteers who joined to protect their homeland. It’s powerful to see how ordinary people, under such extreme conditions, can perform heroic acts and stay composed. It’s something you’d never expect when meeting them in everyday life—these aren’t hardened career soldiers but regular people from places like Kyiv who became extraordinary under extraordinary circumstances.

When our team was there filming, and we had no contact with them, the tension was through the roof. We were all incredibly anxious, especially our journalist, Philip, and the cameraman, Conall. Still, for some reason, I had faith that Philip, as our most experienced war journalist, would manage the situation, and thankfully, everything turned out okay. That said, there were some close calls. At one point, the cameraman lost his camera during an intense moment but managed to grab the memory card on the run, saving all the footage. It’s remarkable that even in such a chaotic and dangerous situation, he thought about that. Otherwise, all the work we had done could have been lost.

Illia Kabachynskiy:

This year, I have four favorite pieces. The first one is our exclusive about Ukraine’s newly developed and unprecedented rocket drone ‘Palianytsia.’

We were the first to talk to one of the people who developed it. In the piece, we uncovered many details about the rocket drone, essentially announcing it and showing its renders to the world. 

Before this, I had never spoken with someone who creates rockets, and here I got a whole lecture about cruise and ballistic missiles, their features, and even an explanation of why they are so expensive (and it’s often not just about their components).

The second story is actually one of the first we published. It is incredibly important because it’s a vivid example of David defeating Goliath.

Ukraine practically had no navy with no large warships. Yet, it found a way to outmaneuver the massive Russian fleet and force it back into port for shelter. Isn’t that just amazing? I wrote this story with great enthusiasm. I also love that it had a meaningful mission: it helped to reopen Ukraine’s trade routes and enabled the country to earn from exports.

The third story is from my colleague Jess about Bakhmut. This piece highlights the immense scale of the war in Ukraine. The city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region of Eastern Ukraine endured almost eight months of relentless pressure and was utterly destroyed by the Russian army. The battle itself resembled World War I, with the Battle of Bakhmut being dubbed the "Bakhmut Meat Grinder," drawing parallels to the Battle of Verdun.

Another critically important story is about the activities of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine. Pro-Russian media are attempting to spread false claims that Ukraine is supposedly trying to ban churches in the country. This is a fabrication. Instead, we reveal how the Kremlin has managed to turn priests of the Moscow Patriarchate into its own network of agents, not only in Ukraine but globally.

Vlada Toporkova:

My first favorite piece was "Where Did the Allegations That Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif Was Trans Start? Russia’s Role In It," written by our author, Yev.

It delves into the allegations that spiraled across the internet, tarnishing the reputation of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. These unfounded accusations, rooted in Russia’s disinformation tactics, were an all-too-familiar reminder of the lengths Russia will go to in retaliation, given Russia's exclusion from the Olympic Games due to doping scandals.

Next, I loved our author, Daniel’s article “Say ‘Palianytsia’: How Ukraine Turned a Loaf of Bread into a Test to Spot Russian Saboteurs.”

A seemingly simple Ukrainian word, palianytsia (a loaf of bread in Ukrainian), became a password of sorts, revealing how Russians struggled to pronounce it. This small linguistic detail turned into a test of identity and part of the nation’s resistance.

Lastly, I was struck by our reporter Alexander’s heartbreaking story of Hvaldimir, the famous beluga whale spy, and the exposé on Russia’s cruel use of marine mammals as military tools in the piece “In Memory of Whale Spy Hvaldimir, Exposing Russia’s Cruel Sea Animals Programs.”

These Soviet-era programs, bordering on animal cruelty, put dolphin species closer to the brink of extinction. The recent death of Hvaldimir is a painful reminder that no creature is safe in Russia’s hands.

Marusia Sinkevich:

My top two stories of the year happen to be one of the very first articles I edited and one of the last. The first was an article by Dana Okomaniuk about how women's bodies bear the trauma of war.

It resonated deeply with me, as I had just started reading The Body Keeps the Score, a book that felt incredibly relevant to my life at the time. The illustrations were stunning, but even more impactful was the meaning behind the article. Editing it made me realize, perhaps for the first time, how much the war had affected my own body, perception, mental health, and physical well-being. Reading it brought everything into focus for me, helping me understand how my body responds to trauma—and that understanding is always the first step toward healing.

The second story is also special—it was the last article I edited this year, written by someone I want to remember and honor. It was her very first editorial piece. She joined us as a temp and explored different tasks, from live news to written news, with my team. She wanted to try her hand at long-form writing to see where her strengths lay. The timing was significant: it was just before the anniversary of the Budapest Memorandum, and with everyone discussing nuclear weapons because of Oreishnik, we assigned her the task.

We worked closely together, shaping the framework of the article and creating beautiful illustrations that were later turned into an Instagram carousel. I was so proud of her. The article was brilliant—simple yet highly informative. While many people knew about the Budapest Memorandum, it helped unpack its gravity in the context of the current war in Ukraine. I was incredibly proud of her work, and she thoroughly enjoyed the process, too.

Oleksandr Moiseienko:

In 2024, our journalists had the opportunity to visit a prisoner-of-war camp and confirm that Russian POWs were being treated humanely.

While the Russian side cannot demonstrate the same standard of care, Ukrainians once again highlight their commitment to Christian values, respect for life, and the sacred principle of human dignity. What is crucial is that Ukraine is not Russia. We treat captured soldiers in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and other rules of warfare. In contrast, Russia demonstrates hatred and inhumanity toward our military personnel. Russian prisoners may not live in five-star accommodations, but they are treated in accordance with international conventions—receiving the rights they deserve and are entitled to under international law. We would like to see our opponents adhere to these principles as well, but unfortunately, this is not the case.

The Wagner Group’s story is significant because it illustrates how quickly things can change in regimes built on personality cults rather than strong institutions. When Prigozhin’s rebellion occurred, many assumed it might be staged, but it turned out to be genuine. Putin’s regime was on the brink of collapse—a notion that might seem implausible now.

At the same time, Wagner, lacking institutional foundations and stripped of its leader, fell apart like a decapitated entity. Within a year, an organization that had once wielded influence across regions, including Africa, disintegrated. This was due to the dictator who destroyed it—ironically, the same dictator it could have toppled.

This story is compelling as it underscores how swiftly power dynamics shift in systems that rely on unilateral leadership rather than institutions. Such systems often operate outside the bounds of law and humanity, highlighting their inherent instability.

Olga Gordiienko:

The first article I want to highlight is about IZOLYATSIA, once a renowned art space turned torture prison in Donetsk.

It’s a story told through the eyes of Sasha Manukians, our talented illustrator who once worked there. This was my first interview with my colleague Amira as part of the team, but it became much more than that. Sasha emerged as a guide, taking us through the history of IZOLYATSIA: its establishment, its reception of acclaimed artists, and its transformation through the war.

Initially housed in a former factory, IZOLYATSIA became a vibrant art space that symbolized cultural collaboration. When Russian forces occupied Donetsk, they transformed it into a prison—a stark reversal of its purpose and values. To me, this is the clearest and most poignant example of what this war represents.

IZOLYATSIA’s move to Kyiv marked an effort to preserve its legacy, but it struggled to regain its original essence. IZOLYATSIA was deeply rooted in Donetsk, thriving as a space where visiting artists collaborated with the gallery, drawing inspiration from its unique setting. This synergy was integral to its power—a power that couldn’t be replicated elsewhere. The destruction of this space is not only a loss for culture but also a symbol of the broader devastation wrought by the war.

The second article, written by Audrey, explores what Syrians think about Ukraine’s fight against the same aggressor—Russia. It offers a deeply personal lens into geopolitics, demonstrating how shared struggles for freedom and democracy can unite people across the world.

Through the personal stories of a journalist, a pharmacist, and two students, the article provides a profound understanding of the shared path of resilience and survival. Both Ukrainians and Syrians face shockingly similar battles: living through war, witnessing the destruction of their homes, and enduring the horrors inflicted by the same oppressor.

As a Ukrainian, reading this article fostered a sense of connection between our two peoples. These stories are a testament to the universal fight for justice, freedom, and dignity. They remind us that despite the differences in our landscapes or cultures, the struggles for human rights and sovereignty are fundamentally the same.

Cover photo by Conall Kearney.

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