“You must leave Kiev immediately!”: How the war changed the life of an editor-in-chief More than 120,000 people await asylum in Britain

Have you considered leaving Ukraine as the war continues?

Sevgil Musayeva: No. When Russia attacked Ukraine on February 24, I was in Kiev – and I didn’t panic.

However, the situation around Kiev was very unclear during the first three days of the war.

On February 24, I received a call from a Western embassy. “You must leave Kiev immediately,” a source told me. “The Russians will be in Kiev in three days.”

Why did you get this call?

There were many rumors about Russian blacklists of politicians, activists and journalists. It was said that the Russians would arrest these people and send them to camps once they got to Kiev.

So your name was on one of those lists?

Yes. Later on, Ukrainian security forces also asked me to leave Kiev. On February 25, I traveled to western Ukraine for 13 days. But then American filmmaker and director Brent Renaud was murdered in Ukraine. He was my sister’s partner.

Have you returned to Kiev again?

I had to report Renaud’s death to my sister – a very emotional moment. And I helped arrange for the body to be shipped to the United States. On March 23, I flew to Arkansas for the funeral.

Your Ukrayinska Pravda team stayed in Kiev?

A week before the start of the war, we had already responded and handed over part of the team to the Ukrainian Carpathians.

So you knew there was going to be war?

no I could not imagine such a brutal invasion to Kiev. But we wanted to be prepared for all eventualities, we were afraid of problems with the internet or a power outage. Then when the Russians bombed the nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhya, fear grew. We have evacuated three team members to Poland.

At how many locations does your editorial team currently work?

Temporarily, all reaction was back in Kiev. But we expected the Russians to destroy Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. So we got a guest house in western Ukraine.

How many journalists have fled?

All my colleagues stayed. I only know two journalists with children who have left Ukraine. Every day journalists wonder where they are most useful to the country. Many therefore volunteer at the front to protect their country.

What are your terms of employment? President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and the Ukrainian government would hardly allow criticism, it was heard.

Of course there are limitations, especially when human lives are at stake. For example, we are not allowed to publish photos and videos of places that have been hit by missiles. Otherwise there is a risk of them being bombed again if the first wave is unsuccessful. Before the major counter-offensive, the military also closed the front line to journalists. And there are also direct interventions through articles.

Do you have an example?

In an article we described how the Ukrainian army misled the Russians with dummy Himars. They bombed dummies – and lost millions of dollars. The Department of Defense told us that this information must be kept secret. However, we pointed out that the Washington Post already covered it. It reaches 600 million people. We have put the article online.

Does «Ukrayinska Pravda» have direct access to President Zelensky?

Yes. The last interview with him took place in April – a group interview with several journalists.

And if you ask critical questions?

Naturally. We could ask all our questions.

Before the war, «Ukrayinska Pravda» was known for his critical attitude towards Ukrainian presidents. Did it stay that way under Selenski?

We also published articles critical of President Zelensky. This is how we described Zelensky’s conflict with General Valery Zalushni, the Supreme Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Zelensky did not like how popular Zalushni is. This enjoys the highest level of trust among the population. Our sources for the article are 100 percent reliable. However, we received many critical questions from our readers. “Can you publish such articles in a war?” they asked us.

And: can you?

Freedom of expression is very important in Ukraine. We protect our rights, even in times of war we consciously write controversial articles. But we also have to deal with the criticism of our audience.

You are a Crimean Tatar yourself. Is that a problem for you? Crimean Tatars were chased by the Russians. Since 2014, they are back in focus.

Yes that is a problem. In the early days of the war, a Russian friend called me. She is a political activist who fled Russia a long time ago. “Seva, the Russians are coming to Ukraine to kill everyone,” she told me. ‘Please be careful, especially as you are a Crimean Tatar. The Russians hate Crimean Tatars.” I now know that my friend was right.

What is your story as a Crimean Tatar?

My great-grandmother’s generation was forced to leave Crimea. The whole family was deported to the Urals. Later she moved to Uzbekistan. Only in 1989, 50 years later, she was able to return to Crimea. I was two and a half years old at the time. Since 2014, however, the situation of the Crimean Tatars has deteriorated again.

You yourself were a journalist, specializing in corruption in the oil and gas industry in Ukraine, a very sensitive area. How did that happen?

Two incidents made me sensitive to journalism. In 2000, Heorhiy Gongadze, co-founder of «Ukrainska Pravda» was murdered. I was 13 years old at the time and I asked myself, how can you kill someone just because they want to tell the truth? In 2006, Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya was murdered. Your book The Truth About War about the second Chechen war inspired me. I decided to become a journalist and soon turned to the oil and gas sector.

What was your most important article?

During the era of President Viktor Yanukovych, I discovered several cases of corruption involving presidential officials. The main article appeared in “Forbes Ukraine” about Sergei Kurchenko. This powerful businessman was only 27 years old and appeared out of nowhere. He was a donor to President Yanukovych and had connections with his son. Kurchenko was a shadow owner of many oil and gas assets.

Were you threatened during your investigation?

Yes, we have received several threats. This investigation was dangerous. In 2013, Kurchenko quickly bought Media Holding, which published “Forbes Ukraine” – for an incredible 360 ​​million euros.

You had a problem with that.

The message for me was very clear: “Shut up.” I left Forbes. I couldn’t possibly work with and for Kurchenko.

Then they went to “Ukrayinska Pravda” – where another journalist was murdered in 2016.

Pavel Sheremet – my journalistic mentor and friend. His death hit me hard, it has not been resolved to this day. Very difficult times followed. After Pavel’s death, I suddenly got three jobs: editor-in-chief, development and financial director. I got burned out and left Ukrajinska Pravda in 2018 for a year and a half to continue my training as a journalist.

Today you are again very challenged in the war, you receive up to 100 messages per day. How can you deal with it?

I always check my phone, even now. I don’t want to miss anything important. I get a lot of questions that have nothing to do with journalism. But I try to help, because people fight hard in war.

In May, Time Magazine named you one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2022. Has that changed your life?

Not at all. Only now, thanks to the ceremony, I have some photos with Hollywood stars. I also get invitations from many countries. My appointment was a tribute to the independent media in Ukraine.

Communication is the great strength of Ukraine. Do you coordinate your invitations with the government?

That’s not how it works in our country. I am an independent journalist. And I have no agreement with the government. But I want to show people perspectives on our country.

What makes Ukraine special to you?

Parag Khanna, the Indian-American geopolitics specialist, asked me that. I answered economically. But he shook his head and said, “Ukraine has the energy of young people. That’s crucial.” I completely agree. We are a young people and that helps us in this war.

How will the war end?

Ukraine will win this war. I do not doubt that. This is a war between future and past. And Ukraine is fighting for the future. But there is one big question.

Which?

The question of the price Ukraine will ultimately pay. It’s already too high today. After the end of the war, we will struggle with many problems: with the standard of living, with access to medicine and education.

What do you want from Switzerland?

Two points. First, Switzerland needs to change the rules for Russian wealth. Russian oligarchs and businessmen shouldn’t be able to hide them here so easily. They are destroying Ukraine along with Putin and they are supposed to pay for the damage of the war. They are part of the Russian system.

And secondly?

Perhaps Switzerland can help rebuild Ukraine. I even have a concrete idea. Switzerland could rebuild a number of schools and hospitals, for example in individual cities.

Schools and hospitals are particularly important?

Yes. Without this infrastructure, the women and children who left Ukraine will not return. But without women and children, Ukraine has no future. But I could still imagine something of Switzerland.

What?

Maybe she can start a program to support and protect independent journalism in Ukraine. Freedom of expression and independent media are core elements of a democracy.

What did you think of Lucerne?

This beautiful city reminds me a lot of Crimea.

Why?

Before the war I visited Yalta, a city in Crimea. Like Lucerne, it is located in the middle of nature and surrounded by beautiful mountains. But now Yalta has become a military base. That makes me sad. Many cities in Crimea can resemble Lucerne or other beautiful Swiss cities. I dream that one day it will be.