Svitlana Stetsenko - attack 23.03.2026

On March 23, 2026, a video titled “The Truth About ‘Souvenirs’ from U420: What Did the Examination Show?” was published on the Bihus.info YouTube channel. In the investigation, journalist Svitlana Stetsenko examines a network of so-called “souvenir shops” U420, which operate in various cities across Ukraine and sell products based on cannabis, including drinks, sweets, supplements (such as those made from fly agaric mushrooms).

The Bihus.info team conducted test purchases and submitted the products for laboratory analysis. According to the report, both a private laboratory and forensic experts from the Ministry of Internal Affairs found that the products contained substances classified as particularly dangerous psychotropic substances, the circulation of which is prohibited by a Cabinet of Ministers resolution.

Following the publication, comments on platforms such as X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube showed signs of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) targeting Svitlana Stetsenko. These included gendered disinformation and online defamation, such as accusations of being “paid,” a “grant-eater,” or producing a “commissioned” investigation allegedly on behalf of competitors.

Many comments were framed dismissively or aggressively (e.g., “Don’t you have anything better to do?”, “Why did you get involved?”, “Who asked you?”).

Additionally, numerous comments contained hate speech directed both at the journalist and the Bihus.info editorial team, using insults such as “clowns,” “fake journalists,” and other derogatory language. Stetsenko herself was targeted with gendered insults and harassment, including comments about her appearance, body, and marital status (e.g., “Is she married?”).

As Stetsenko reported to Women in Media, she also received abusive private messages after the investigation was published. She described them as rude and disgusting. In one example, an Instagram user insulted her using derogatory language. Some of these messages were later deleted by their senders. Despite the harassment, the journalist emphasized that such attacks would not stop her from continuing her work.