Alex Craiu on the War in Ukraine

Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project

Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/01/01

Alex Craiu lives and works in Ukraine as a war correspondent. He studied in the United Kingdom and California, United States, with a documentary and cinematography production degree. He works as a freelancer and independent journalist. In 2017, he successfully completed an internship with the BBC in London and later started creating videos for social networks, collaborating with various publications. He travelled to most regions of Ukraine, except those fully occupied, and presented online the current situation in Ukraine, including in conflict zones. Currently based in Kyiv, Ukraine, he analyzes and documents people’s lives during the war.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: You’re still living in a danger zone. I am not. So, yes. Have you done anything brash or risky since we last attempted that brief vacation into Russia? 

Alex Craiu: The way this started is interesting because everything that’s been happening over the last few weeks ultimately boils down to the fact that I’m still alive—full stop. That is quite an achievement given the current circumstances, especially in light of what has recently transpired across Ukraine. We’re talking about numerous attacks I’ve read about or witnessed here in Kyiv. Unfortunately, we’ve seen an increasing number of casualties in Ukraine lately, which is somewhat predictable, as attacks tend to become more frequent during the winter months.

There are some advantages to being here, however. So, to answer your question, remaining in Ukraine during these months, when there are indicators of predicted instability, is inherently risky—something many people, especially in the West, would consider quite dangerous. The area where you are isn’t within artillery range but is largely within the range of ballistic missiles and drones.

Kyiv is about 200 kilometres from the nearest Russian-controlled territory, so we tend to be targeted by attacks. It’s important to remember that these Shahid drones—specifically the Shahed-136 model—are often launched in groups.

We’re dealing with many Shahid drones launched simultaneously. These drones could be more precise, but they are relatively cheap and can cause considerable destruction. Here in Kyiv, we’ve been experiencing an uptick in attacks over the past few days. This coincides with recent reports about North Korean munitions reportedly being used in the region around Kursk, near the Ukrainian border. All these events are converging, but the primary concern here in Kyiv, what’s most visible, is the extensive damage to residential buildings caused by these Shahid drones.

Jacobsen: How have you found covering the war as a journalist in this context? I know we travelled to several sites, but I’m unsure if that was an unusually high travel for war journalism or just typical for your work.

Craiu: Travelling to Sumy Oblast was unusual because I don’t usually cover events so close to the front lines. Others can do that much better. At the same time, my focus tends to be on the everyday life of Ukrainians living in larger cities.

For example, in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. Yes, these places are relatively closer to the front line but far from it or right next to the Russian border, like Sumy. So, it was quite an unusual trip for me. However, what followed was an incredible opportunity to visit the exclusion zone of Chornobyl.

And we’re talking about the town of Pripyat, which everyone knows about, and a visit to the nuclear power plant. This was also rather unusual because, right now, this zone—although it used to be quite a tourist-friendly place before the war—has an increased risk due to the presence of nuclear waste. In the event of an attack, it could contaminate a large area. So what followed those trips to Sumy Oblast and Poltava was not a miniseries of unusual destinations. 

Jacobsen: As a journalist, I was just grateful to have the opportunity to visit. I couldn’t turn them down, regardless of how fatigued I was from being in areas with an increased level of danger. Now, Kyiv itself has more defense systems.

The Patriot systems are reserved for higher-priority threats like ballistic missiles. But it’s among the safer areas because it’s far south and west of the front lines, usually over 200 kilometres. Yet, there’s still a sense of unease among the public. When I was there, people lived with a certain tension, generally speaking. Living there longer, do you also get that sense of living in the midst of a war?

Craiu: Interestingly, speaking from a personal standpoint, I’ve found that the longer I spend in Ukraine, the more my fear has deepened. That fear grows with a better understanding of the risks. This understanding comes with researching, living in a place like this, and gathering information. It has shown me that instability is probably one of the most unsettling aspects of Ukraine. To expand on this, I use the word instability because I still regard Kyiv as a highly unstable place. For instance, concerts are organized in some parts of the city, and on the same night—as was the case about two to three weeks ago—a 15-year-old girl was killed in her flat in Kyiv, doing nothing but living her ordinary life, by a Shahed drone—a senseless death, a complete waste of human life, in a capital many regard as safe.

We saw this summer that Ukraine became more popular with tourists. Some were likely tourists, though many were not. People gained a sense of security that was instantly shattered by the random attacks, which can happen any day without warning.

Jacobsen: What about the context of reports of 8,000 North Korean troops at Ukraine’s border, based on U.S. statements at the United Nations? This is coming from legitimate sources like the A.P. wire and A.P. News.

Craiu: Yes, currently, Ukraine estimates around 12,000 Russian troops on the border, so they consider this additional number significant. Yesterday, I was on the streets of Kyiv, asking people what they thought about it. The general sentiment was a concern. Initially, I wondered if people might be neutral or see it as unimportant. Still, they regard this development as potentially risky and troubling for Ukraine. We’re not just talking about more troops near the border; we’re also discussing the involvement of another country, like North Korea, which could lead to further escalation.

So, there’s the political side of things and the military aspect. The fact that we have 10,000 foreign troops fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine underscores the likelihood that Ukraine may soon need another mobilization to repel those attacks. 

Jacobsen: The 11th emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly opened on February 28, 2022, at the U.N. headquarters to address the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine. The voting record showed 141 in favour, five against, and 35 abstentions, with non-members not holding voting rights at this level.

So, it was a 141-5 vote condemning the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, accompanied by various stipulations on what constitutes that aggression. Among those who voted against it were Belarus, Eritrea, Russia, Syria, and North Korea. This aligns with a pattern; North Korea and Russia have been openly aligned in their stance, functionally supporting aggression against Ukraine, as demonstrated by this voting record over two years ago.

Jacobsen: What is the general conversation in Kyiv regarding these North Korean troops? How does this expand the concept of this war beyond Ukrainian borders?

Craiu: First of all, the fact that North Korean troops are reportedly siding with Russia and joining Russian forces in their fight against Ukraine raises questions about future developments. This includes the possibility of more troops being deployed or other countries allied with Russia potentially joining forces to fight Ukraine. Depending on the number and resources these allies provide, this could alter the war’s course.

One conversation happening in Kyiv is whether Russia’s use of North Korean troops might provoke a stronger response from the West. This could potentially lead to Ukraine being allowed to use Western-supplied weapons to strike deep into Russian territory—a restriction currently in place due to fears of escalation. All eyes are on the U.S. and other NATO countries that have provided weapons to Ukraine but have limited their use to strikes within Ukraine’s borders only.

Given recent events, if escalation is being openly discussed, Ukrainians expect a shift in current policy, one that might allow such strikes in Russia. This is a significant topic of conversation. Additionally, regarding Russia’s troop numbers and resources compared to Ukraine, there’s also talk of a possible new mobilization in Ukraine. This overlaps with ongoing protests over soldiers on the front lines, many of whom have been there for over a year without rotation.

And they don’t get a chance to return home or have the option of being released. This is something I’ve spoken with many people about, and there’s a general fear among those being drafted into the army that they’ll be forced to fight until they physically or psychologically can’t continue. These are the main concerns I’m currently seeing. The fact that Russia has an additional 10,000 troops on its side certainly complicates things for Ukraine.

Jacobsen: Do you want to comment on the claims that Elon Musk and Vladimir Putin have been in regular contact via phone calls, as reported by A.P. News?

Craiu: Well, we’re seeing some interesting actions from Elon Musk lately. This is a personal comment. Many have pointed out the unusual events he’s attended, like those supporting Donald Trump. Now, there’s the issue of Vladimir Putin. Although Elon Musk is certainly a smart individual, there’s a high degree of unpredictability with him so that anything could be possible. But generally speaking, I’m observing some rather bizarre behaviour coming from Musk. That’s my two personal cents on this.

Jacobsen: So, my question—as a Canadian journalist in Ukraine—is regarding the EU allies moving forward in late October with the $50 billion of frozen Russian funds being loaned to Ukraine to support their war effort. What are some of your thoughts on this? I’m assuming you’re positive, but there may be complications that you’re more aware of than I am since you’ve been doing this longer.

Craiu: Well, from what I’ve seen in general discussions, not everyone favours using those frozen assets from Russian oligarchs to support Ukraine. This is likely because people are questioning the morality of such a decision.

It will help Ukraine. If we were talking about Western assets frozen in Russia and used to fund their war effort or continue the offensive against Ukraine, this would hardly spark a negative response from the general public. As a state, Russia isn’t concerned with the morality of its actions. So, the fact that we’re even debating this in Western countries highlights our values and adherence to morality in our actions.

This is a completely fair and necessary action that will greatly help Ukraine. We’re talking about $50 billion—that’s an enormous amount of support. 

Jacobsen: Thank you again for your time, Alex.

Craiu: Yes, I hope you’re doing well. Good luck with everything. Keep in touch.

Jacobsen: Have a good day.

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