Martial Law: Rules and Restrictions
Under martial law, the Ukrainian government imposes certain restrictions on the work of journalists covering the war.
You can learn all the details around restrictions and rules for reporters under martial law in the order by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (in Ukrainian, PDF file).
The Order contains information on the accreditation procedure for media representatives under martial law. You can find a step-by-step guide to accreditation here.
Reporting restrictions include the prohibition on publishing information that could endanger Ukraine’s national security or harm the Armed Forces.
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As designated by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, this information includes:
1
Actual names of military units, other components of the defense forces of Ukraine, personal data of military personnel performing combat (special) tasks, and coordinates of their location.
2
The combat and numerical composition of military units or divisions of the Armed Forces, the available quantity, type of combat (special) equipment, and its technical composition.
3
Information about the places of concentration, deployment, and recovery of combat capability of military units of the Armed Forces, with reference to settlements (geographical objects).
4
Information regarding active and future plans of the commands, combat tasks and the progress of their implementation by the units of the Armed Forces.
5
Information on the effectiveness of the use of weapons, test equipment, and other methods of warfare by military units and divisions of the Armed Forces.
6
Information on the location of the air defense starting positions and the results of their combat missions.
7
The results of operations, tasks, and combat operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other components of the defense forces, if such information has not been made publicly available by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or other components of the defense forces of Ukraine.
8
Information regarding the results of operations carried out by units of the Special Operations and Intelligence Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, if such information was not publicly disseminated by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and (or) other management bodies of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
9
Information on the loss of combat equipment (tanks, self-propelled artillery installations, airplanes, helicopters, anti-aircraft missile systems, ships (boats), especially of foreign production) and personnel, if such information has not been made publicly available by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or other management bodies of the defense forces.
10
Information on the results of enemy missile and air strikes on military facilities and critical infrastructure facilities, if such information has not been made public by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or other management bodies of the defense forces of Ukraine and (or) state authorities of Ukraine.
11
Information regarding the deployment of military equipment, routes of their movement, types, and quantity.
12
Information on the implementation of security measures for the use of force (information on measures to mislead, conceal the activities of troops and military facilities), the forces and means that were involved in their implementation, as well as photographed and video materials depicting models and means of imitation, which are used by military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or other components of the defense forces of Ukraine.
13
Information about conducted, current and future informational and psychological operations (promotions, influence measures).
14
Information about servicemen of intelligence, missile, artillery units, electronic warfare divisions, unmanned aerial vehicle units, flight and engineering staff of airplanes and helicopters, as well as Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
15
Photo and video materials depicting mutual recognition signs, license plates, and state license plates on combat vehicles, means of targeting, combat control and intelligence, structural features of combat vehicles.
16
Photo and video materials inside tanks, self-propelled artillery installations, anti-aircraft missile systems, armored combat vehicles, and tactical aviation aircraft, especially of foreign production.
17
Information on delivery dates, types, quantity, logistical support, current and future locations of armaments and military equipment, which are provided within the framework of logistical assistance from partner countries, especially missiles, ammunition, means of aircraft destruction, if such information is not was posted on the official pages (representatives) of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Armed Forces or by departments of partner countries.
18
Information on awareness of the enemy, tactics of their actions, and the location of important military facilities.
Even if publishing some information isn’t directly prohibited, reporters should be mindful of the potential consequences of their work. For example, detailed coverage of infrastructure destruction and damage may help the Russian military adjust its strikes, and detailed information about the provision of humanitarian aid may also lead to the Russian shelling of food storage sites or transportation routes.
Here are some general tips for covering events in Ukraine during martial law:
- Do not report that there is no air defense in a particular area of the frontline;
- Do not publish footage of work of Ukrainian air defense. The Russian military should not learn where Ukrainian air defense systems are installed;
- Do not publicly disclose that only one road is safe to enter a certain city. Do not specify which one;
- Do not post photos or videos of the area where the shelling took place or where a shell fell;
- Do not post videos of flying missiles, moments of shell hits, etc;
- Do not post videos with identifying signs: plates with street names, house numbers, large shops and supermarkets, metro stations, factories and enterprises, schools, hospitals, kindergartens, or other objects;
- After the end of the air raid and shelling, you can film the damage to the building or infrastructure. However, the shots should be close-ups so that the location cannot be identified.
If journalists plan to cover the work of Ukraine’s military under martial law, they must get accreditation and follow designated rules.
Duties of a reporter during martial law, as designated by the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
1
Present a press card at the request of representatives of the Armed Forces or other components of the defense forces;
5
Carry and show the identity documents of a media representative;
3
Move within the combat zones solely within the terms and along the route determined and agreed upon following the established procedure with the relevant heads, commanders, and superiors, the head of the public relations department (press service) of the military unit in the area of its responsibility;
4
Inform the head of the public relations department (press service) of the period of the trip, the route to be taken, and the purpose of the editorial assignment by email or telephone before moving to the area of combat operations;
5
Wear press identification signs of media representatives and media vehicles in a visible place throughout the entire period of stay in the area of combat operations, except for situations when it may pose a threat to the life and health of reporters;
6
Have personal protective equipment, including at least a protective helmet and a bulletproof vest with the appropriate “PRESS” marking;
7
Have a medical kit (it must contain the first aid kit) and know how to use it;
8
Not to commit acts incompatible with the status of civilians, i.e., not to wear uniforms and insignia of the military and not to handle weapons and ammunition;
9
Hand over electronic and physical media and/or records of photographs and video footage, upon request, to a specified person upon completion of their work at military facilities to check if there is any information that is not subject to disclosure;
10
If there is any information that is not subject to disclosure, it must be deleted from the electronic storage device at the request of the representative of the public relations department (press service).
If journalists plan to cover other issues, we recommend checking the information received from their own sources with official sources, such as local authorities, civil-military administrations, and government agencies. You can find reliable sources of information about Ukraine here.
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