Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mstyslav Chernov

How Mstyslav Chernov built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Mstyslav Chernov is a Ukrainian filmmaker, war correspondent, and photojournalist recognized for his courageous coverage of significant global conflicts and events. His work includes documenting the Revolution of Dignity, the War in Donbas, the MH17 disaster, the Syrian civil war, the Battle of Mosul, and, most notably, the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, specifically the Siege of Mariupol. Chernov's dedication to reporting from conflict zones has earned him a Pulitzer Prize and an Academy Award, highlighting the importance and impact of his work in bringing critical stories to the world.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2005: Started career in photography

In 2005, Mstyslav Chernov started his career in photography, working for a local Kharkiv news agency MediaPort.

2008: Gained Prominence in Photography

In 2008, Mstyslav Chernov received the 1st prize at a local photography exhibition "Kharkiv through the eyes of its inhabitants". In the same year, he had his first personal photography exhibition "Musica per somnia," conceived and organized with assistance of Yuriy Yanko.

2008: Worked with Chernobyl Children International

Starting in 2008, Chernov worked with Chernobyl Children International, the Novick Cardiac Alliance, photographing cardiac surgeries.

2009: Awarded first place for photo expo

In 2009, Mstyslav Chernov won another first place award in local photo expo "Almost disappearing Kharkiv", covering crumbling examples of the city's older architecture.

2012: Lived in Cambodia

In 2012, Mstyslav Chernov lived in Cambodia, focusing on local health care and cultural projects.

2013: President of the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers

In 2013, Mstyslav Chernov became the President of the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers (UAPF). Also in 2013, Chernov participated in Unframe, an international documentary photography project.

2013: Gezi Park Protests

In the summer of 2013, while photographing in Istanbul, Turkey, Chernov found himself in the middle of Gezi Park protests.

May 2014: Freelancer for Associated Press

In May 2014, Mstyslav Chernov became a regular freelancer for Associated Press.

July 2014: Covering War in Donbas and MH17 Crash

By July 2014, Mstyslav Chernov worked as an independent multi-format journalist for Associated Press. He covered the War in Donbas, becoming one of the few journalists to report from both sides and was the first journalist to publish video footage from the scene after the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.

2015: Covered European migrant crisis

In 2015, Mstyslav Chernov covered the European migrant crisis in Greece, Macedonia, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Austria, and Germany.

August 10, 2020: Recorded the death of Oleksandr Taraikovsky

On August 10, 2020, Mstyslav Chernov recorded the moment when Oleksandr Taraikovsky was shot at point-blank range by members of the special forces in Minsk.

August 2020: Covered Belarus Presidential Elections and Protest

In August 2020, Mstyslav Chernov covered the presidential elections in Belarus, and was captured and beaten by Belarusian law enforcement officers during the subsequent protests. He was later deported from the country.

2020: Worked in Nagorno-Karabakh

During 2020, Mstyslav Chernov worked in Nagorno-Karabakh.

2020: Filmed Covid-19 pandemic in Ukraine

From May to July and from September to October 2020, Mstyslav Chernov filmed the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine.

2021: Worked in Afghanistan

During 2021, Mstyslav Chernov worked in Afghanistan, Lithuania, and Armenia.

March 2022: Escape from Mariupol

In March 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Chernov and Evgeniy Maloletka stayed in Mariupol. On 11 March they were taken out of the city with the assistance of Ukrainian soldiers.

July 2022: Joined Ukrainian PEN

In July 2022, Mstyslav Chernov became a member of "Ukrainian PEN".

2022: Coverage of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

In 2022, Mstyslav Chernov covered the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including the Siege of Mariupol.

January 2023: 20 Days in Mariupol Premiere

In January 2023, the film '20 Days in Mariupol' premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the World Cinema Documentary Competition category and won the Audience Award in World Cinema Documentary category.

July 14, 2023: '20 Days in Mariupol' US Release

On July 14, 2023, the film "20 Days in Mariupol" was released in selected theaters in the US.

September 2023: Box Office Success of '20 Days in Mariupol'

In the first weekend of September 2023, the film "20 Days in Mariupol" collected more than 530 thousand hryvnias at the Ukrainian box office, becoming the highest-grossing Ukrainian documentary in history.

January 2025: 2000 Meters to Andriivka Premiere

2000 Meters to Andriivka will have its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on 23 January 2025. Film won Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary.