When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Olga Guzhva was soon in the thick of the war as a journalist and fixer for foreign media reporting on the brutal atrocities committed by Russian soldiers. Before the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, Olga had been a dedicated faculty member at the National University of Kharkiv, living just outside the city in the Kharkiv region. But as the invasion progressed, parts of that very region fell soon under Russian occupation. Forced to flee, Olga and her family sought refuge in the western city of Lviv, leaving behind their home and a life they knew.

The places she once called home were reduced to rubble. Her family’s home was destroyed, along with the buildings of the university where she had worked. Yet, despite this unimaginable hardship, Olga refused to give up. She began rebuilding her life from scratch, while grappling with the realities of war.

Now after 1’000 days of Russia’s full-scale invasion Olga reflects on her journey—a story of resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity. She shares the challenges of seeking justice for war crimes and explains why she has shifted her focus to cybersecurity for journalists, understanding the risks that come with reporting in a war-torn country.

Resources
Connect with Olga Guzhva
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-guzhva-81468b30/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/o.guzhva
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guzhvaolga7

Connect with Luzia
Instagram: https://instagram.com/luziatschirky
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luziatschirky/
Website: https://www.luziatschirky.ch/

Have you already ordered Luzia's book about her experience reporting from Ukraine?