Olena Mudra - attack 10.07.2025

On July 10, 2025, the website From-UA published an article titled “Hybrid War in Zakarpattia: Russian Influence and the Cynical Game of Pseudo-Environmentalists.” The publication marks another stage in a coordinated online attack against freelance journalist Olena Mudra.

The article labels Mudra, as well as environmental activists Oksana Stankevych-Volosianchuk and Nataliia Maistrenko, a “pseudo-environmental group” and calls their activities “not just corruption, but a direct threat to national security,” suggesting that the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police, and the Prosecutor’s Office investigate the matter. It also claims that in May 2024, Mudra founded the NGO Code 21, through which she allegedly received foreign funding. The article casts suspicion on the source of these funds, referencing unverified posts on Platform X that suggest ties to pro-Russian structures. One post reportedly described their activities as “black corruption under a green flag.”

In a comment to Women in Media, Olena Mudra confirmed that Code 21 was officially registered in May 2024, and that she serves as chair. She noted that her team secured EU funding for an ongoing project on environmental crimes in the Carpathians, but defamation campaigns and SLAPP lawsuits have delayed deadlines and disrupted her professional work. She denied any knowledge of posts on Platform X mentioned in publication.

The article contains elements of gendered disinformation, online defamation, and targeted manipulation. It also uses a screenshot of a ZMINA publication about pressure on Mudra, highlighting that it had been promoted as a Facebook ad.