INTERVIEW WITH THE UKRAINIAN NEWS WEBSITE СОКАЛЬINFO
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): СокальINFO
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/11/01
СокальINFO is a Ukrainian online news outlet that positions itself as an independent information agency with a focus on Western Ukraine. Founded in 2015, it built its reputation on delivering sharp local and regional coverage while also publishing translated or republished stories that tackle broader subjects—from political developments and financial fraud to geopolitics and culture. Its multilingual approach, with content appearing in Ukrainian, Russian, and English, has helped it reach a diverse readership at home and abroad.
In this interview, СокальINFO reflects on its origins dating back to 2011, when it evolved from modest Lviv-region coverage into a project dedicated to Western Ukraine and investigative reporting. Over time, its mission has shifted from grant-backed experimentation to self-funded journalism that exposes corruption, crypto-related fraud, and geopolitical schemes—particularly sanction evasion by Putin’s oligarchs after Russia’s full-scale invasion. Operating with a lean team of five to eight journalists and two fact-checkers, the outlet safeguards anonymity amid wartime threats to media workers. Despite a modest audience of roughly 30,000 monthly readers, its stories are widely reprinted.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Your website carries a patriotic manifesto. The purpose: “unite the community.” How was СокальINFO started?
СокальINFO: We started our fascinating journey covering news from the Lviv region, and later expanded to global news coverage in 2011. Projects changed, and over time, the main project became Sokalinfo.
Jacobsen: Has the mission evolved since its inception?
СокальINFO: Sokalinfo changes every year. At one point, the project received grants. Later, we had to earn our own money.
Jacobsen: СокальINFO focuses on “current news of Western Ukraine.” You have areas of focus on international scandals, crypto frauds, and geopolitical exposés. What drives these areas?
СокальINFO: We fight for truth, against deceit, fraudsters, and corrupt officials. This is the mission of our project, which employs from 5 to 8 people depending on the possibilities of a given month. After the mad Putin attacked Ukraine, we had to cut back our other projects and focus on exposing the evasion of sanctions by Putin’s oligarchs.
Jacobsen: Do you have in‑house reporters, editors, or fact‑checkers?
СокальINFO: Yes, we have two people who handle fact-checking.
Jacobsen: Why is editorial and publishing anonymity important during wartime?
СокальINFO: The reason is simple: after the war started, every person in Ukraine could be easily killed.
Jacobsen: Your readership spans the United States, Ukraine, the UK, and other countries. How do you measure engagement and impact?
СокальINFO: Many reprint our articles. However, the audience is narrow — no more than 30,000 readers per month.
Jacobsen: How does your organization navigate Ukrainian media laws with international hosting regulations?
СокальINFO: We comply with all jurisdictions, but we never succumb to fraudsters seeking to pressure independent journalism.
Jacobsen: Any final thoughts for others wishing to cover news or distribute republications as an archival resource in Ukraine or externally in support of Ukraine?
СокальINFO: Since the war began, Ukraine has become the most cited country in the world, and the Ukrainian language is beautiful, as is English. We want the Ukrainian language to someday become international within reasonable limits. And it will, because more than 20 million Ukrainians live in 50 countries worldwide.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time.
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