Ukrinform Journalist Olga Zvonarova Wins Prestigious Award in Italy

Olga Zvonarova, a journalist from the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform, has been awarded the prestigious Montecatini Prize for 2026. The award organizers highlighted that the jury, led by Professor Matthew Gibberd, recognized her work as particularly significant.

In his comment to Ukrinform, Matthew Gibberd noted that "Olga's reports consistently offer original insights that captivate audiences while sensitively portraying the experiences of those affected by war." This high praise for Zvonarova's work underscores her professionalism and dedication, which is especially important in the face of contemporary challenges.

Serhiy Cherevaty, the General Director of Ukrinform, also expressed his admiration for the jury's decision. He emphasized that Olga Zvonarova is a shining example of journalistic courage and skill. "She has been in many hotspots in the region, providing a wealth of information for Ukraine and the world. This award is recognition of her role, and we are incredibly grateful to our colleagues. The world must constantly be aware of our war," Cherevaty stated, highlighting the importance of international support.

The Montecatini Prize competition is open to editorial works related to defense and security topics, as well as the activities of officers and servicemen of the armed forces. This underscores the importance of military journalism in today's world, especially in the context of armed conflicts.

Alexandru Ion Giboi, the Secretary General of the European Alliance of News Agencies, which represents Ukraine through Ukrinform, also extended his congratulations to Zvonarova. He noted that her career is proof of why artificial intelligence cannot replace true journalism. "Olga's work is compelling evidence of why artificial intelligence can never replace real journalism," Giboi said, emphasizing the importance of the human factor in this profession.

During the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine, Olga Zvonarova, along with Ukrinform photojournalist Dmytro Smolienko, visited frontline territories over a hundred times to prepare reports on Ukraine's defense. She covered the activities of artillery divisions, reconnaissance drone crews, electronic warfare units, as well as the work of military hospitals in a dynamic front environment. Her materials also encompass life in occupied territories and the stories of veterans of the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Over the course of more than four years of war, over 6,000 news items, 12 interviews, 103 reports, 56 major publications, and nearly 450 photos and videos prepared by Olga Zvonarova have been published on the Ukrinform website. This statistic reflects her tireless work and commitment to the profession.

Unfortunately, on April 5, 2024, while performing her duties, Zvonarova was caught in a subsequent enemy attack in Zaporizhzhia. She sustained serious injuries, including fractures of her thigh and arm, as well as multiple shrapnel wounds and burns. Despite her severe injuries, the journalist almost immediately returned to her duties. Her first major piece after the injury—an interview with a police officer freed from Russian captivity—appeared in the pages of Ukrinform as early as July.

After treatment and rehabilitation, Olga Zvonarova actively participated in events supporting prisoners, including running events with families of fallen, captured, and missing soldiers. In August and October 2025, she ran 10 km in two marathons in Kyiv and also took part in a run in honor of fallen police officers. This autumn, Olga plans to run a half marathon covering a distance of 21 km.

For her dedication and professionalism, in August 2022, Zvonarova was awarded the Presidential Award of Ukraine for the Defense of Ukraine, as well as the Order of Merit of the III degree. These awards confirm her significant contribution to journalism and the fight for truth in wartime conditions.

The award ceremony for the Italian prize will take place on May 13, 2026, in the city of Montecatini Terme, located in the picturesque Tuscany region. The Montecatini Prize was founded by UNUCI—a non-profit, non-partisan organization representing former officers of the Italian armed forces. The award is presented at Terme Tettuccio, where the cultural festival Bookfest also takes place.

It is worth noting that last year, the international category winner of this award was war correspondent Cristian Lupashku from the Romanian news agency Agerpres, while in 2023, American journalist Alan Friedman received the award for his book "The Price of the Future." In 2022, this honor was awarded to Corriere della Sera correspondent in Ukraine Marta Serafini, who covered the events of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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