Donbas.Realii war correspondent Serhiy Horbatenko has enlisted in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and is now undergoing mandatory military training. The journalist has not disclosed which brigade he will be assigned to or in what role.
Serhiy Horbatenko reported this in a Facebook post and to Yulia Harkusha, the Institute of Mass Information’s representative in Donetsk oblast.
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In comments to IMI’s representative, Serhiy Horbatenko promised to tell more once the paperwork was complete.
“When the bureaucratic procedure is finished, I’ll speak on everything. It’s war, it is what it is, and now my conscience is clear,” the journalist said.
In his Facebook post, Horbatenko also thanked everyone who supported him and worried for him.
“What was bound to happen has happened. I’ve been conscripted. I’m waiting for the paperwork to be processed so I can transfer to one of the glorious brigades. Meanwhile, I’m out here breathing in the woodland air. Thank you to everyone who supports me and worries about me. Everything’s fine. Now I’m calm, well-fed 🙂 and, most importantly, my conscience is finally at peace. Part of my heart is always with Donetsk oblast. I ache for Donetsk so bad!” Serhiy wrote.
Serhiy Horbatenko has been with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty since March 2019, working in the Donbas.Realii project, which covers news and issues faced by people in Ukraine’s eastern oblasts, including the temporarily occupied territories, and reports on the situation in the Donbas for Ukrainian and international audiences. Throughout his work, the journalist has documented the impact of Russian aggression on Donetsk oblast.
In 2025, RFE/RL shut down the Novyny Pryazovia project.