Svitlana Stetsenko - attack 02.09.2026

On September 2, 2026, blogger Myroslav Oleshko published a post mentioning Bihus.info journalist Svitlana Stetsenko on his Telegram channel NOVYNY PRAVDY: Myr Oleshko and on his X account. The post was illustrated with her photograph and contained the following caption:

“A Soros-funded propagandist and grant-guzzler from the Bihus dump, who, of course, is not subject to mobilization, while her male colleagues are exempted from service and allowed to leave the country, is outraged that martial law may be lifted and Ukrainians will leave the country rather than wanting to die in the war.”

Comments under the post included derogatory terms directed at the journalist, such as “big tits,” “a complete sheep,” “slut,” “idiot,” “she’s been a cannibalistic lunatic for a long time,” and “Sokolova 2.0,” referring to television host Yanina Sokolova.

Therefore, several indicators of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) can be identified in this case. First and foremost, these include sexist and gendered insults aimed not at the journalist’s professional work but at humiliating her on the basis of her gender, through sexualization and derogatory gender stereotypes. Another indicator is sexualized humiliation and objectification, which shifts the focus from Svitlana Stetsenko’s professional activities to her body and appearance. Such statements are used to humiliate and discredit the journalist, including through gender-based abuse. Accusations of “propaganda,” receiving grants, or criticism of her position on martial law may be regarded as disinformation and defamation, that is, the dissemination of false information.