TRANSCRIPT:
When Russia launched its full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022, it also unleashed a massive disinformation campaign designed to distort reality, poison minds and convince Ukrainians that resistance was hopeless. Voice of America responded with truth.
My name is Ruslan Petrychka. I lead the Ukrainian Service at VOA. Our team quadrupled news production. We reported from the front lines, from Kyiv, and from the heart of Washington’s decision-making. We spoke to Republicans and Democrats in Congress, officials at the White House and the Pentagon, asked tough questions, held leaders accountable. We told the truth about Russia’s war and America’s response without bending, without hesitation, and the audience turned to us.
A recent survey showed nearly one in six Ukrainians relied on VOA content weekly and 99% of them said they trusted Voice of America. Because when bombs are falling and your family is in danger, you don’t want spin or wishful thinking. You want facts. You want clarity. You want the truth. Disinformation kills. Truth saves lives. Dictators fear the truth.
We must protect independent media like Voice of America because truth is freedom’s first defense. Tell your members of Congress to save VOA.
Published
Petrychka is the chief of VOA's Ukrainian Service. An experienced reporter and TV anchor working out of VOA’s Washington headquarters, Petrychka regularly hosts VOA Ukrainian’s daily TV Show “Chas-Time.” As a reporter, he particularly enjoys covering political and economic developments in both the United States and Ukraine and he follows closely all other news developments in both countries.