The Luhansk Oblast Military Administration (LOMA) has awarded Valentyna Troyan, IMI representative in Luhansk oblast, Ukrainian Radio and Hromadske Radio host, and Andriy Dykhtiarenko, Suspilne host and Realna Hazeta chief editor, with certificates of appreciation.
The certificates were signed by Oleksiy Kharchenko, Chair of Luhansk Oblast Military Administration, in August 2026, to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day. They were presented to the media professionals by Roman Vlasenko, Chair of Siverskodonetsk District Military Administration, in Suspilne’s office on 4 September, on the instructions of the Luhansk Oblast State Administration Chair.
The certificates express appreciation “for high-level professionalism, hard work, considerable achievements in the field, and a substantial contribution to preserving the media ties with the region.”
“Andriy and Valentyna’s professional work of plays an extremely important role in developing Ukraine’s media landscape, conveying truthful information about Luhansk oblast, maintaining a connection with people living in the temporarily occupied territories, and is also a significant part of the effort to raise the profile of our region, which continues to live and evolve in relocated state,” said Roman Vlasenko, as quoted by the Siverskodonetsk District Military Administration’s press service in a Facebook post.
Along with the certificates, the district official presented the journalists (who both come from his home region) with a copy of the book Essays on the History of Luhansk Oblast.
Andriy Dykhtiarenko is a journalist, TV and radio host, and media manager from Luhansk. He runs the news website Realna Hazeta, reports for Radio Liberty’s Donbas.Realii, hosts the socio-political talk show “Novyi Vidlik” (“New Countdown”), and works on the national telethon “United News”.
Dykhtiarenko has been covering events in the temporarily occupied territories of eastern Ukraine, analysing Russian propaganda narratives, and fighting disinformation since 2014. He also runs the NGO FRONTYR, whose work focuses on protecting the rights of those living in frontline regions and combating disinformation.
Valentyna Troyan is a journalist, radio host, and human rights activist from Luhansk. She was a TV host at the Luhansk Oblast State Television and Radio Company until 2014. She now works with Ukrainian Radio, Hromadske Radio, and the Institute of Mass Information.
The works primarily focuses on covering life in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories, human rights issues, and fighting restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom.
In June 2025, Valentyna Troyan was awarded a certificate of merit by Ukraine’s National Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting, for her many years of professional work, resilience, dedication to the profession, and significant contribution to informing residents of the temporarily occupied territories.