Olga Golovina

Editorial Coordinator

Olga Golovina

Olga Golovina is editorial coordinator of IWPR’s Ukraine Justice Report. With more than 20 years experience working as a journalist and editor in Ukrainian print and TV, she has covered a wide range of stories across Europe, Russia and the Caucasus.

Stories by the Author

National guard special operations soldier checks the ruins of a building previously used as a local headquarters by Russian occupying forces during a search for evidence of war crimes by police investigators, on October 14, 2022 in Vyshneve, Kharkiv oblast, Ukraine.

National guard special operations soldier checks the ruins of a building previously used as a local headquarters by Russian occupying forces during a search for evidence of war crimes by police investigators, on October 14, 2022 in Vyshneve, Kharkiv oblast, Ukraine. © Carl Court/Getty Images

Investigating War Crimes Under Daily Attack

In Kharkhiv region, constant shelling of the border territories is a significant obstacle to inspecting incident scenes and collecting evidence.

25 Jun 24

Children ride a roundabout in a play park next to destroyed buildings on November 14, 2022 in Borodyanka , Ukraine. Russia is believed to have deported tens of thousands of Ukrainian children to its own territory, subjecting them to indoctrination, forcing them to take Russian citizenship and often putting them up for adoption.

Children ride a roundabout in a play park next to destroyed buildings on November 14, 2022 in Borodyanka , Ukraine. Russia is believed to have deported tens of thousands of Ukrainian children to its own territory, subjecting them to indoctrination, forcing them to take Russian citizenship and often putting them up for adoption. © Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Returning Ukraine’s Children

Legal experts consider Russia’s wide-scale illegal displacement and deportation of minors to be a war crime.

18 Jun 24

A woman cries while being evacuated from her home on March 06, 2023 in Kupiansk, Ukraine.

A woman cries while being evacuated from her home on March 06, 2023 in Kupiansk, Ukraine. © John Moore/Getty Images

Survivors of Sexual Violence Need Immediate Support

“It is not enough to bring perpetrators to justice; it is important to help people recover.”

11 Jun 24

A Ukrainian police officer stands guard in the hallway of a preliminary detention centre which is believed to have been used by Russian forces to jail and torture civilians on November 16, 2022 in Kherson, Ukraine.

A Ukrainian police officer stands guard in the hallway of a preliminary detention centre which is believed to have been used by Russian forces to jail and torture civilians on November 16, 2022 in Kherson, Ukraine. © Chris McGrath/Getty Images

“Do Not Be Silent and Do Not Be Afraid”

Victim of illegal detention describes her experience of trying to seek justice through the courts.

4 Jun 24

The village of Yahidne, Chernihiv region, was almost completely destroyed during the invasion of Russian troops.

The village of Yahidne, Chernihiv region, was almost completely destroyed during the invasion of Russian troops. © Ed Ram/Getty Images

How Investigative Journalists Can Support Justice

Open source and undercover work helped a team from the Suspilne media outlet identify a suspect in a notorious case of the abuse of civilians.

21 May 24

In March 2022, Ghukasyan fired some 20 shots at the car of 32-year-old civilian Dmytro Bondarenko as he drove along a road in the Kyiv region. He and his fellow soldiers buried the body in nearby forest.

In March 2022, Ghukasyan fired some 20 shots at the car of 32-year-old civilian Dmytro Bondarenko as he drove along a road in the Kyiv region. He and his fellow soldiers buried the body in nearby forest. © Anastasia Vlasova/Getty Images

How to Defend a War Crimes Case

Ukrainian lawyer explains the challenges – and vital importance – of an effective defence for Russian indictees.

14 May 24

On April 15th, the Reckoning Project, an initiative of Ukrainian and international reporters and lawyers to document war crimes, submitted a criminal complaint to the Argentine Federal Judiciary under the universal jurisdiction. The case concerns the torture of a Ukrainian civilian by Russian forces during the occupation in 2022.

On April 15th, the Reckoning Project, an initiative of Ukrainian and international reporters and lawyers to document war crimes, submitted a criminal complaint to the Argentine Federal Judiciary under the universal jurisdiction. The case concerns the torture of a Ukrainian civilian by Russian forces during the occupation in 2022. © Anna Tsyhyma

Argentina to Consider Ukrainian Case

“It is important for us to show that crimes have no borders and Russian criminals must be caught everywhere.”

8 May 24

A TV journalist prepares to do a piece to camera in front of an armoured personnel carrier on the frontline between Ukrainian forces and pro Russian separatists near the eastern Ukrainian city of Debaltseve, in the Donetsk region on 24, 2014.

A TV journalist prepares to do a piece to camera in front of an armoured personnel carrier on the frontline between Ukrainian forces and pro Russian separatists near the eastern Ukrainian city of Debaltseve, in the Donetsk region on 24, 2014. © SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine’s Information Vacuum

Those living under occupation can only get their news from Russian media and social networks.

1 May 24

Emergency personnel clear rubble in search for victims in the heavily damaged apartment building that was hit by a downed Russian missile on June 24, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Emergency personnel clear rubble in search for victims in the heavily damaged apartment building that was hit by a downed Russian missile on June 24, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. © Roman Pilipey/Getty Images

Ukraine Needs Justice, Not Charity

Expert calls for international agreement on the legal basis and conditions under which Russian assets can be used for reconstruction and reparations.

30 Apr 24

In late February 2022, Russian troops repeatedly shelled the court building of Borodyanka, a town in the Kyiv oblast, destroying much of its contents.

In late February 2022, Russian troops repeatedly shelled the court building of Borodyanka, a town in the Kyiv oblast, destroying much of its contents. © Irina Domashchenko

Reviving Wartime Justice

“Everyone wanted to go to work as soon as possible.”

23 Apr 24

Support local journalists