Oleksiy Prodayvoda

Oleksiy Prodayvoda is a correspondent for Current Time, the Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. Prior to joining RFE/RL, he worked for some of the most important media outlets in Ukraine, covering the mass pro-democracy demonstrations in Kyiv, Russia's seizure of Crimea, and the beginning of the war in eastern Ukraine in 2014. Since Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022, he has been reporting from the front lines in the east and south of the country.

Also by Oleksiy Prodayvoda

February 23, 2024
Two Years Into War, Current Time Correspondents Reflect On Covering Ukraine's Front Line

Two years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Current Time correspondents Borys Sachalko, Andriy Kuzakov, and Oleksiy Prodayvod reflect on their wartime experiences together with the cameramen and drivers who form a critical part of their reporting teams.
December 30, 2023
'They Keep Coming And Going By The Thousands': Ukraine's Frontline Troops, Residents Brace For Another Year Of War

Ukrainian forces and residents remain resilient as Kyiv's war effort faces a growing list of difficulties heading into 2024.
December 29, 2023
Residents Endure Constant Shelling As Russian Forces Zero In On Frontline Chasiv Yar

Around 800 residents remain in the frontline city of Chasiv Yar in Ukraine's Donetsk region. Russian forces have attacked the area west of Bakhmut for over a year. Speaking with Current Time, one local said, "If Russian troops come, I won't be here."
December 27, 2023
Mud And Mines Make For Slow Movement As Ukrainian Forces Hold Ground

As Russian forces try to push west of the city of Bakhmut, Ukrainian soldiers are dug into their positions in barren, mine-strewn battlefields. Fighters on the front lines near the village of Klishchiyivka describe an unrelenting Russian assault as they trudge through mud and shelter in trenches.
October 20, 2023
'This Tank Instills Great Fear': Ukrainian Troops Praise Leopard 2 Tanks Sent By Sweden

Ukrainian tank crews are rolling into battle with the Swedish version of the German Leopard 2 tank. Current Time correspondent Oleksiy Prodayvoda visited Ukrainian troops near the front line who say Russian forces fear the tank's high-precision, armor-piercing shells.
September 11, 2023
Deep Trenches 'Allow You To Walk Straight': Ukrainian Amputee Soldier Returns To Front Lines

Ukrainian soldier Artem Kholodkevych says he had no interest in taking a safe desk job far from the front after losing his leg to a Russian mine. After five months of walking with a prosthetic limb, he can move around the defensive trenches his fellow soldiers live in with ease.
July 31, 2023
Online Exams, Frontline Service: A Ukrainian Medic's War

Ukrainian military medic Mykola Iliychuk took his final medical exams online because he was already serving on the front line of Russia's war on his country. Now, he's driving an armored ambulance and conducting triage among Ukrainian casualties.
June 30, 2023
Kid-Sized Body Armor Protects Ukrainian Orphans During Evacuation From Frontline Village

Specially made body armor is being used to protect children being evacuated from villages near the front line in eastern Ukraine. Three orphans endured shelling by Russian forces until being relocated to Kyiv with their cousin, who has been acting as their guardian since their parents both died.
June 28, 2023
'Movement Saves Lives': Ukrainian Artillery On The Offensive Near Bakhmut

Artillerymen of the 30th Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces say fighting has intensified near the contested city of Bakhmut in Ukraine's Donetsk region since Ukraine recently launched a counteroffensive. Current Time traveled with an artillery team as they prepared to fire on Russian positions.
June 02, 2023
Kyiv Using 'Ukrainian Storks' For Reconnaissance Over Bakhmut

A Ukrainian reconnaissance unit flies a domestically developed Leleka drone over the city of Bakhmut. The Leleka, which means stork in English, tracks enemy movements in the area. Russia claims its forces have taken full control of Bakhmut, but Ukraine insists it still holds a part of the city.
May 29, 2023
Ukrainian Medics Treating Soldiers Near Bakhmut Say High Morale Is Crucial

Ukrainian medics who treated soldiers wounded in the battle for Bakhmut say they were stretched thin during one the bloodiest battles of the war but managed to keep their spirits up. Russia claims to have taken control of Bakhmut but Ukraine insists it still holds a small part of the ruined city.
May 24, 2023
'We're Moving Forward': Ukrainian Artillery Still Targeting Russian Positions Near Bakhmut

Ukrainian forces say the battle for the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine's Donetsk region is ongoing despite Russian claims they now control the city. RFE/RL's Maryan Kushnir watched Ukrainian artillery on the outskirts of Bakhmut firing BM-21 Grad missiles at Russian positions.
May 03, 2023
Defying Shells, Ukrainians Rebuild Semblance Of Normal Life

Living among ruins on the front lines of Russia's war on Ukraine, residents of Avdiyivka do more than hang on -- a few rebuild a semblance of normal life. One shop owner has stocked shelves with food while an "invincibility station" offers residents hot meals, showers, and even hairstyling.
April 27, 2023
Amid Shelling, Ukrainian Military Medics Try To Save Lives Near Bakhmut

Despite Russian fire, Ukrainian medics near Bakhmut try to stabilize wounded soldiers so they can be transported to hospitals in safer areas. They manage to treat multiple injuries at once, but not every casualty can be saved. "The hardest moment is when you can't help a soldier," said one medic.
April 05, 2023
Praying In The 'Gray Zone': Ukraine's Frontline Sappers

Ukrainian assault brigade sappers risk everything to clear the front line of mines laid by Russian forces -- and lay their own. As one sapper told Current Time correspondent Oleksiy Prodayvoda about a recent mission: "I thought I wasn't coming back."
March 23, 2023
Remaining Avdiyivka Residents Told To Evacuate Amid Russian Shelling

Residents who have remained in the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiyivka are now deciding to move somewhere safer as danger grows. The badly battered municipality has seen growing Russian artillery shelling as the enemy makes small gains in areas around Avdiyivka.
March 22, 2023
Volunteer Risks His Life To Bring Drinking Water To War-Torn Towns Near Bakhmut

Local volunteer Yevhen Tkachov risks his life in Ukraine's Donetsk region to bring water to frontline communities under attack by Russian forces. He says he supplies drinking water to about 100 residents in Chasiv Yar, a town near the besieged city of Bakhmut.
March 06, 2023
The Moment A Russian Tank Fired Straight At A Ukrainian Cameraman

Dramatic footage has emerged from the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine a year ago. TV cameraman Serhiy Kylymnyk was using amateur equipment to document how Russian troops were attacking his town when a tank opened fire on the window he was filming from.

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Oleksiy Prodayvoda

Also by Oleksiy Prodayvoda

Two Years Into War, Current Time Correspondents Reflect On Covering Ukraine's Front Line

'They Keep Coming And Going By The Thousands': Ukraine's Frontline Troops, Residents Brace For Another Year Of War

Residents Endure Constant Shelling As Russian Forces Zero In On Frontline Chasiv Yar

Mud And Mines Make For Slow Movement As Ukrainian Forces Hold Ground

'This Tank Instills Great Fear': Ukrainian Troops Praise Leopard 2 Tanks Sent By Sweden

Deep Trenches 'Allow You To Walk Straight': Ukrainian Amputee Soldier Returns To Front Lines

Online Exams, Frontline Service: A Ukrainian Medic's War

Kid-Sized Body Armor Protects Ukrainian Orphans During Evacuation From Frontline Village

'Movement Saves Lives': Ukrainian Artillery On The Offensive Near Bakhmut

Kyiv Using 'Ukrainian Storks' For Reconnaissance Over Bakhmut

Ukrainian Medics Treating Soldiers Near Bakhmut Say High Morale Is Crucial

'We're Moving Forward': Ukrainian Artillery Still Targeting Russian Positions Near Bakhmut

Defying Shells, Ukrainians Rebuild Semblance Of Normal Life

Amid Shelling, Ukrainian Military Medics Try To Save Lives Near Bakhmut

Praying In The 'Gray Zone': Ukraine's Frontline Sappers

Remaining Avdiyivka Residents Told To Evacuate Amid Russian Shelling

Volunteer Risks His Life To Bring Drinking Water To War-Torn Towns Near Bakhmut

The Moment A Russian Tank Fired Straight At A Ukrainian Cameraman