Blowing the whistle enforces the playbook for national integrity.
In the fall of 2021, a group of journalists were fired from their posts. The newspaper’s owner wanted to quell critical coverage of Ukrainian authorities. Refusing to be silenced, this expulsion prompted the ousted team to establish a new independent media outlet, free from reliance on oligarch money – the Kyiv Independent.
Just three months into its existence, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the team began reporting on the unfolding war. Their coverage swiftly established the Kyiv Independent as a pivotal, independent voice for Ukraine. The impact resonated globally, reaching millions, myself included — a half-breed Ukrainian in Canada — ultimately influencing my choice to join their ranks as a social media strategist.
Restrictions on free speech are prevalent in broader Southeastern Europe. Various countries in the region have faced challenges related to media freedom, including censorship, attacks on journalists, and legal restrictions. It is amidst this pressure that whistleblowing journalism plays a vital role in exposing corruption, fostering transparency, and challenging censorship.
Nowhere is this more evident than in The Kyiv Independent’s two-part investigation into the Ukrainian International Legion.
This exposé uncovered allegations of abuse, theft, and leadership failures within the International Legion, exemplifying how investigative journalism serves as a catalyst for accountability and reform in the region.
The Kyiv Independent’s Investigation into the International Legion
The International Legion of Ukraine is a multinational force of foreign fighters who answered President Zelensky’s call for international help. It critically supports the Ukrainian army in the ongoing war.
In July 2022, a mere four months after its founding, soldiers approached journalists Anna Myroniuk and Alexander Khrebet. Despite reporting numerous instances of misconduct to various authorities and receiving no response, the soldiers sought public exposure for their grievances.
“That’s what journalism is essentially about,” says Myroniuk, Head of Investigations at the Kyiv Independent, and lead on the investigation. Khrebet, a newcomer at the time, contributed to research, document analysis, and source interviews.
The investigation received eight reports from soldiers and a comprehensive seventy-plus-page confidential document outlining various issues within the International Legion since its establishment. The whistleblowers provided contacts, aiding in the gathering of around 50 sources for the two-part investigation.
“We could not just take their word,” says Khrebet, stressing the importance of fact-checking in such investigations, and emphasizing the need for verification through documents, videos, files, reports, or multiple eyewitness accounts.
The investigation unveiled deeply disturbing allegations against leadership. “Sasha Kuchynsky,” identified as the wanted Polish gangster Piotr Kapuscinski, was accused of orchestrating the killing of Polish police chief Marek Władysław Papała, among other heinous crimes.
Collaborating with investigative journalism group Bellingcat, the journalists confirmed Kapuscinski’s identity using facial recognition technology and declassified lawsuit documents. This revealed his criminal history, including armed robbery, sexual violence, and weapons possession. Despite being on bail and probation, Kapuscinski joined the International Legion under a false identity during Ukraine’s martial law.
Information from Kapuscinski’s former comrades, including a video taken in Lysychansk, Luhansk Oblast, showing footage of the Lemon shopping mall looting, was gathered.
Kapuscinski’s case revealed a broader issue of lax background checks in the International Legion, with individuals pretending to have military credentials. “We found a lot of people who were just pretending to be a Navy Seal, when they were really just a bartender from Ohio,” explains Khrebet.
The follow-up investigation revealed additional misconduct, including the disappearance of weapons, bullying, harassment, and threats. One Lieutenant Colonel Bohdan, accused of misconduct, not only remained untouched but was transferred to a new position, causing frustration among soldiers, and emphasizing the need for addressing systemic issues within the International Legion.
Risks and Challenges Faced by Kyiv Independent Journalists
The risks were substantial.
“The first one is because this involves the Mafia,” explains Khrebet. “And these individuals are still in the military.”
“I faced the risk of breaking a decree imposing limits on freedom of speech under martial law and potential criminal persecution,” says Myroniuk. “This story required critical thinking and empathy for the affected people. Protecting sources was another challenging task.”
The publication of the investigation led the entire editorial team to enhance security measures. Before releasing the second story, they spent ten days in a remote part of Ukraine, cautious of potential surveillance.
A particularly alarming incident occurred when a battalion commander accused Khrebet of being a Russian spy. “This commander was accusing everybody he didn’t like or who complained about his actions, telling everybody that this person is a Russian spy,” Khrebet explains.
Concerns also extended to potential harm to Ukraine’s reputation. The Kyiv Independent’s editor-in-chief Olga Rudenko acknowledges, “We understood that this could be used by someone against Ukraine. Russian propaganda will definitely pick it up. But you can’t base your decision-making about what you will publish on what may help Russian propaganda because they will pick up anything, or they will just invent something.”
“We couldn’t publish everything,” Khrebet notes, emphasizing the need for absolute certainty due to potential legal repercussions or threats to personal safety from published falsehoods.
Despite all of these risks, Myroniuk and Khrebet bravely chose to publish the story under their own names.
Decision to Publish: Navigating Risks Amid Martial Law
“The International Legion was, at the time, this sacred cow,” says Rudenko, highlighting the anxiety around criticizing the military. “Nobody was even thinking about criticizing the military because they are the ones who are saving our lives every day.”
Unveiling military corruption in an active conflict poses risks beyond internal issues, potentially impacting operational effectiveness and morale. Addressing misconduct during war also raises concerns about diverting focus and resources from immediate security threats.
“We didn’t know what kind of line we were crossing,” explains Rudenko. “Like, would we be branded traitors? Or would the government go after us?”
Despite potential repercussions, the team decided to move forward with the story. Rudenko reflects on how this particular moment crystallized the team’s values. Their commitment to their journalistic duty outweighed any concerns about damaging the military’s reputation.
Myroniuk also says the decision to publish, though complicated on a personal level, was very straightforward professionally. “Journalism’s role doesn’t revolve around protecting someone’s reputation. It has more to do with protecting people’s right to be informed on matters that are in public interest. This story shed light on a matter that was indeed public interest and had an intention to protect soldiers suffering from injustice.”
Khrebet sheds light on perilous missions, where soldiers, lacking essential resources, were essentially used as bait. This underscores the urgency of addressing systemic issues within military units, challenging the prevailing perspective that internal problems should be set aside during times of war.
“A lot of people serving in the Legion are great people who came, who sacrificed everything – they gave up their jobs, their families, their businesses – to come fight Russians and to protect Ukrainian lives, not to loot the shopping mall,” says Khrebet.
The journalists remain steadfast in their commitment to revealing the truth, recognizing the importance of addressing internal challenges for the sake of long-term national integrity.
“Staying silent about it, self-censoring, and sweeping it under the rug – that is not characteristic of Ukraine; that is characteristic of Russia,” says Rudenko, asserting that shedding light on internal issues is actually a deeply patriotic act. “Because if we end up winning the war, but in the process of doing so we become more like Russia, then what was it all for?” Rudenko asks.
Impact and Lessons Learned
The investigation’s impact within Ukraine is challenging to gauge due to martial law secrecy. “My sources told me there was an impact,” says Myroniuk. “But it was not public.”
Khrebet believes implicated commanders are likely now under scrutiny, and that background checks are probably more meticulous. This optimism stems from the team’s familiarity with International Legionnaires; historically, they would reach out if there were problems. “So far we haven’t heard from any of the Legionnaires,” Khrebet confirms, indicating a positive shift.
“We didn’t expect to change everything,” says Khrebet. “Our job is to uncover what is untold to the public. And we did a great job.”
Indeed, the project gained international recognition. It was covered in Poland’s Onet, TVN24, Gazeta Wyborcza, Fakt, Germany’s Der Spiegel and Deutsche Welle, UK’s The Telegraph and US Business Insider. The investigation also garnered prestigious awards, notably the 2023 European Press Prize, an accolade that honors the highest achievements in European journalism.
“This award goes to the heart of why journalism matters, why we must defend it,” said Alan Rusbridger, Chair of the Panel of Judges and former editor-in-chief of The Guardian. “It’s so important to recognize the work of journalists who are prepared to do this work. They are the best and the bravest among us.”
A portion of the Kyiv Independent’s winnings from the European Press Prize were allocated for drones for a former colleague‘s aerial reconnaissance unit in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“Among the lessons learned was to stay focused on the essence of the story and not get distracted,” notes Myroniuk. She emphasizes the importance of meticulous fact-checking and prioritizing the safety of sources.
Khrebet acknowledges that this investigation highlights that even those who appear polished may have skeletons in their closet. He also acknowledges challenging times ahead. “Democracy is shrinking,” he says. In the face of this Khrebet advises attentive listening to whistleblowers, fact-checking, and collective responsibility to expose wrongdoing, as this moves us towards a better world.
“It is a privilege to get hidden information and inform the public,” says Myroniuk. “That’s all the motivation you need.”
Rudenko underscores the importance of allocating resources for dedicated investigative journalism. She supports prioritizing ethical journalism over self-censorship, and that the right path involves holding people accountable. Anything else would amount to mere public relations journalism.
When it comes to reporting on a country in survival mode, she insists on providing information to the public rather than attempting to shield them from potentially difficult-to-digest facts. “We can’t choose for the people,” she asserts. “You can’t see the whole nation as a small child. You can’t strip them of this agency.”
Despite not facing severe consequences, their relationship with Ukraine’s Security Service and military intelligence remains strained. But the journalists remain committed to uncovering the truth, navigating challenges, and upholding ethical journalism.
The Kyiv Independent’s exposé on corruption in Ukraine’s International Legion exemplifies the crucial value of whistleblowing journalism. The investigative team provided a trusted platform for whistleblowing soldiers, establishing trust in independent media.
Despite a measured public response, its acknowledgment by the international media, prestigious awards, and impact on military scrutiny underscore its profound significance. It also lays the groundwork for a society in which journalism is entrusted to provide the unfettered truth to the people, empowering them to make informed decisions and hold their leaders accountable.
In Southeast Europe, whistleblowers drive change in a media environment grappling with censorship, political interference, and economic pressures. Investigative journalists serve as vigilant watchdogs, holding the powerful accountable, inspiring public discourse, exposing corruption, and fostering collective responsibility for ethical standards. It empowers journalists and civilians to act as a counterbalance to external pressures, and is a linchpin in the quest for a more just, accountable, and transparent society.
