History of Mstyslav Chernov in Timeline

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

1985: Mstyslav Chernov's Birth

Mstyslav Andriiovych Chernov was born in 1985. He is a Ukrainian filmmaker, war correspondent, videographer, photographer, photojournalist, and novelist.

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.

December 2013: Injured During Euromaidan Protests

In December 2013, during the Euromaidan protests in Kyiv, pro-Yanukovych police injured Chernov's hand with a baton, tore up his press credentials, and destroyed his photography equipment.

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: Won Ukrainian Photographer of the Year

In 2013, Mstyslav Chernov's photographs landed him the first place in the Ukrainian contest "Photographer of the Year" in nomination documentary photography. In the same year, Chernov was a winner of the Pentax Awards Ukraine 2013 and Best Press Photographer, Ukraine, nomination "portrait".

2013: Gezi Park Protests

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

January 2014: Injured by Stun Grenade During Protests

In January 2014, during the Euromaidan protests, a pro-Yanukovych policeman threw a stun grenade into Chernov, injuring his legs and eye with shrapnel.

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.

2016: Global Distribution of Footage

In 2016, a Royal Television Society judge acknowledged the widespread distribution of Chernov's footage.

2017: Sniper Bullet in Mosul

In 2017, in Mosul, a sniper bullet pierced Chernov's camera and stuck in his ballistic vest.

2018: Rory Peck Award finalist entries

Chernov's Iraqi videos were finalist entries for Royal Television Society awards in 2018.

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.

May 2022: Received the Knight International Journalism Award

On May 23, 2022, Mstyslav Chernov, together with Maloletka and Vasilisa Stepanenko, received the Knight International Journalism Award for their work in Mariupol.

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.

2023: Awards and Recognition for Siege of Mariupol Coverage

In 2023, for his work on the Siege of Mariupol, Chernov received the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, Deutsche Welle Freedom of Speech Award, the Knight International Journalism Awards, Bayeux Calvados-Normandy Award, Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award, Free Media Awards, CJFE International Press Freedom Award, Royal Television Society Television Journalism Awards, and Shevchenko National Prize. He also shared the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service with Evgeniy Maloletka, Vasilisa Stepanenko, and Lori Hinnant in 2023.

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.