Ukrinform
The Bureau of Ukrainian Press opened its doors in 1918 during the height of the Ukrainian War of Independence. Dmytro Dontsov served as the first director when the organization operated under the name The Ukrainian Telegraph Agency. This initial setup occurred while Ukraine fought for sovereignty against multiple foreign powers. The agency began as a small effort to document national events through press releases and telegrams. Dontsov led the early operations with limited resources and constant political instability. The bureau aimed to provide accurate information about the struggle for independence to both domestic and international audiences.
In 1920, the agency became known as the All-Ukrainian bureau of the Russian Telegraph Agency or UkROSTA. By 1921, it reorganized again into the Radio-Telegraph Agency of Ukraine, abbreviated as RATAU. Throughout the Soviet period from 1920 to 1990, the entity remained closely associated with the Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union, commonly called TASS. These changes reflected Moscow's tightening control over information flow within the republic. The agency functioned primarily as a conduit for official Soviet narratives rather than independent reporting. Name changes marked each phase of integration into the centralized state media apparatus.
The year 1996 saw the agency transform into the State Informational Agency of Ukraine, designated by the acronym DINAU. A Cabinet of Ministers Decree dated the 19th of February 1997 established its operational framework. This decree stated that the agency carries out activities independently of political parties and public organizations. In 2000, the name reverted to Ukrainian National Informational Agency, or UKRINFORM. Structural reforms continued until 2015 when Ukrinform joined the Multimedia Broadcasting Platform of Ukraine, known as UA|TV. These shifts aimed to modernize operations while maintaining state oversight during Ukraine's transition to democracy.
Today the agency delivers news stories in eight languages including Ukrainian, Russian, English, German, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Polish. Reports reach media outlets, television channels, radio stations, and local governments across the country. Foreign embassies and Ukrainian diplomatic missions abroad receive daily updates from Kyiv headquarters. The Institute of Mass Information recommended Ukrinform as a reliable and trustworthy media outlet in March 2022. International cooperation expanded with a 2018 agreement signed between Ukrinform and the Athens, Macedonian News Agency for exchanging news items. These efforts position the agency as Ukraine's representative within the European Alliance of News Agencies and the Black Sea Association of National News Agencies.
The Russo-Ukrainian War intensified coverage demands on the agency throughout the early 2020s. A tragic event occurred on the 25th of February 2025, when Tetiana Kulyk died in a night-time drone attack by Russia. Kulyk served as editor-in-chief of the multimedia department and hosted the patriotic Nation of Invincibles project. Her death highlighted the dangers faced by journalists covering the conflict from their homes. The agency continues to transmit live content through its website and satellite operators despite ongoing threats. Television operations include FREEДОМ, which focuses on war reporting and broadcasts in multiple languages including English and Crimean Tatar before its temporary closure in January 2020.
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Common questions
When did the Bureau of Ukrainian Press open its doors?
The Bureau of Ukrainian Press opened its doors in 1918 during the height of the Ukrainian War of Independence. Dmytro Dontsov served as the first director when the organization operated under the name The Ukrainian Telegraph Agency.
What was the agency called between 1920 and 1990?
From 1920 to 1990, the entity remained closely associated with the Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union, commonly called TASS. During this period, it functioned primarily as a conduit for official Soviet narratives rather than independent reporting.
On what date did the Cabinet of Ministers Decree establish the operational framework for Ukrinform?
A Cabinet of Ministers Decree dated the 19th of February 1997 established its operational framework. This decree stated that the agency carries out activities independently of political parties and public organizations.
Which languages does Ukrinform use to deliver news stories today?
Today the agency delivers news stories in eight languages including Ukrainian, Russian, English, German, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Polish. Reports reach media outlets, television channels, radio stations, and local governments across the country.
Who died in a night-time drone attack by Russia on the 25th of February 2025?
Tetiana Kulyk died in a night-time drone attack by Russia on the 25th of February 2025. Kulyk served as editor-in-chief of the multimedia department and hosted the patriotic Nation of Invincibles project.