«Truth is critical infrastructure», — «Ukrainska Pravda» and DTEK have joined forces to support five regional media outlets, including NikVesti

NikVesti among five regional media outlets that will receive assistance through merchandise sales. Screenshot

The editorial staff of Ukrainska Pravda, the energy company DTEK, and the Ukrainian brand Damirli have joined forces to support independent regional media outlets operating in frontline cities, including the Mykolaiv-based online media outlet NikVesti.

The Critical Infrastructure initiative involves raising funds through the sale of themed merchandise — T-shirts and hoodies with a corresponding inscription. The funds raised will be used to support local editorial offices that continue to operate during the war.

You can purchase merchandise and join the support effort here: DAMIRLI designer brand store.

The organisers note that local media in frontline regions operate in difficult conditions: they document events, counter misinformation and provide communities with verified information despite constant security pressures.

«Truth is critical infrastructure for the existence of the state. Just as cities cannot exist without critical infrastructure, a country cannot exist without truth. Today, regional media outlets are working under fire, with limited resources, often risking their own safety so that people have access to verified information. That is why Ukrainska Pravda and DTEK have joined forces to support those who defend the truth where it is most vulnerable,» said Sevhil Musaieva, editor-in-chief of Ukrainska Pravda.

The idea behind the initiative is that truth today is an important component of social stability — on a par with critical infrastructure. The project also aims to draw the attention of business and society to the need to support independent journalism.

A total of five regional media outlets will receive support. In addition to NikVesti, these are Kordon.Media (Sumy), Gvara (Kharkiv), Dnipro.Media (Dnipro) and MOST (Kherson).

The organisers emphasise that these editorial offices are working in difficult wartime conditions but continue to inform their communities and record events, and the initiative aims to strengthen their resilience and support independent journalism where it is most vulnerable.

Merchandise for the Critical Infrastructure initiative, created by Ukrainska Pravda in collaboration with DTEK and the Damirli brand. Screenshot

You can also support the work of the Mykolaiv online publication NikVesti directly through the Readers' Club, a community of people who regularly help the editorial office maintain its independence and continue its work even in difficult conditions. It is the contributions of readers that allow the editorial office to plan its work, focus on topics that are important to the community, and remain open to everyone without introducing paid access to news. You can join in supporting the initiative at: https://nikvesti.com/donate

We would like to remind you that in October 2025, the editorial office of NikVesti was shortlisted for the RSF International Press Freedom Awards 2025, which are organised annually by the human rights organisation Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The media outlet was nominated in the Independence Prize category, which recognises journalists and media outlets that demonstrate editorial independence, refuse to bow to pressure and maintain professional standards even in extremely difficult conditions.