On June 1, 1992, the BBC started short- and medium-wave radio broadcasts for then newly-independent Ukraine. Today, BBC News Ukraine (BBC News Україна) serves its audience via its website and through numerous social media platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok.
The Ukrainian service was the BBC’s first non-Russian language service for the post-Soviet states, said the broadcasting company in a recent press release. Initially based in London, with correspondents in Ukraine, the service eventually moved to digital platforms, primarily delivered from Kyiv.
“The excellent work of the BBC’s Ukrainian service has gone from strength to strength over the decades,” said Director of BBC World Service Liliane Landor.
As BBC marks 30 years of serving its Ukrainian-speaking audience, however, Russia’s war on Ukraine continues to hold the global center stage.
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When Russia launched its assault on Ukraine February 24, 2022, the BBC News Ukraine began its live coverage. Published as the first explosions shook Kyiv, the live page continues to provide a platform for comprehensive reporting and analysis months later.
“Their coverage of the war really showcases their outstanding and often selfless professionalism, as demonstrated by each and everyone in the team,” said Landor. “Their journalism has been crucial, both for their direct audience and for the BBC’s UK and global audiences.”
According to the BBC, on the first week of the Russia invasion, BBC News Ukraine reached a record 5.6 million people across its website and social platforms. Over the following two months, the service has maintained a weekly digital audience that is more than double its average for previous years.
