Mstyslav Chernov is an acclaimed Ukrainian photojournalist, filmmaker, and war correspondent whose fearless work has provided the world with crucial, firsthand documentation of modern conflict, most notably the 2022 Russian invasion and the Siege of Mariupol. His career is a powerful testament to the necessity of bearing witness, with his materials having been published and aired globally by major outlets including CNN, BBC, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.
Chernov's reporting spans numerous global crises, including the Revolution of Dignity, the downing of flight MH17, the Syrian civil war, and the Battle of Mosul in Iraq. His pivotal work from the Siege of Mariupol earned him numerous accolades, including the Deutsche Welle Freedom of Speech Award and a share of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. Video materials from his time in Mariupol became the foundation of the film 20 Days in Mariupol, which was included in the competition program of the Sundance festival.
His commitment to journalism is absolute, having been wounded several times while working in war zones. He is a journalist for the Associated Press, the President of the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers (UAPP), and a member of "Ukrainian PEN," demonstrating his dedication to the professional and cultural integrity of his field. Chernov's activity ranges across all media formats—video, photo, text, and VR—and focuses on current affairs, long-term projects related to conflict, social issues, and environmental crises. His status as an award-winning journalist (including the Rory Peck Award and multiple Royal Television Society awards) and a major voice in the public discourse makes him an essential speaker for events exploring global conflict, the future of press freedom, and the geopolitical implications of war.
