RSF - Reporters sans frontières
RSF - Reporters sans frontières
09/14/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/15/2026 06:32
Covering Russia’s war in Ukraine: RSF publishes a practical guide for foreign reporters
Accreditation, access zones, useful contacts… While journalists can work in Ukraine even in wartime, there are certain essential rules they need to know to do their work properly. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has published a practical guide in English, co-written by two experienced Ukrainian fixers, with key advice to help foreign reporters prepare for and successfully carry out their assignments in the country.
Drawing on the experience of two Ukrainian fixers, Oleksandra Aleksandrenko and Rostyslav Tsyren, who have been working with foreign journalists in Ukraine since the start of Russia's 2022 invasion, this guide was designed to answer the main questions foreign reporters may have before their assignment and during their stay in Ukraine. It outlines the legal framework within which the media operate, explains war-related access restrictions and key safety rules - including how to stay protected against Russian drones, which is also covered in a separate guide published by RSF - and provides a list of useful contacts. It also sets out the key principles of trauma-informed journalism to help reporters prepare their interviews.
"The primary aim of this guide is to provide recommendations, practical information and useful resources for foreign journalists travelling to Ukraine to cover the full-scale war. With this resource and the accompanying video, RSF aims to help reporters prepare their assignments as effectively as possible. Three webinars will also be organised in autumn 2026 to answer practical questions and help journalists understand the rules on the ground.
Pauline Maufrais
RSF Regional Officer for Ukraine
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022,the RSF Press Freedom Centre in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, has supported more than 1,500 media professionals in the country - including 600 foreign journalists - by lending or donating equipment and protective gear, such as helmets and bulletproof vests, first-aid kits, drone detectors and power banks.
The RSF Assistance Office can also provide emergency financial assistance to media professionals to cover expenses such as medical fees if they have been injured, or to help replace equipment damaged in the course of their work. The Assistance Office also helps provide psychological support.
This guide is also available on the RSF Resources for Journalists website.
This guide has been reviewed by the Institute of Mass Information (IMI), an RSF partner in Ukraine.
This guide was produced with financial support from the European Union. Its content is the responsibility of RSF and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.
Published on 14.09.2026
RSF - Reporters sans frontières published this content on September 14, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 15, 2026 at 12:32 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]