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Asami Terajima

Reporter

Asami Terajima is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent covering Ukrainian military issues, front-line developments, and politics. She is the co-author of the weekly War Notes newsletter. She previously worked as a business reporter for the Kyiv Post focusing on international trade, infrastructure, investment, and energy. Originally from Japan, Terajima moved to Ukraine during childhood and completed her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in the U.S. She is the winner of the Thomson Reuters Foundation's Kurt Schork Award in International Journalism 2023 (Local Reporter category) and the George Weidenfeld Prize, awarded as part of Germany's Axel Springer Prize 2023. She was also featured in the Media Development Foundation’s “25 under 25: Young and Bold” 2023 list of emerging media makers in Ukraine.

Articles

Sievierodonetsk falls to Russia, fighting shifts to Lysychansk

Sievierodonetsk falls to Russia, fighting shifts to Lysychansk

by Asami Terajima

After weeks of bloody street fighting and months of withering bombardment, Sievierodonetsk is now “fully occupied” by Russian forces, its mayor, Oleksandr Striuk, said on June 25. With Ukrainian troops’ withdrawal from Sievierodonetsk, the fighting now shifts to neighboring Lysychansk, the last Ukrainian-held city in the region. Capturing Sievierodonetsk brings

EU leaders grant candidate status to Ukraine, Moldova

EU leaders grant candidate status to Ukraine, Moldova

by Asami Terajima

European leaders granted Ukraine candidate status on June 23, in a historic step on the long and difficult path to EU membership for the war-torn country. The government heads holding a two-day summit in Brussels approved a recommendation from the European Council to endorse Ukraine as a candidate country. The

Russia's brutal Donbas offensive in photos

Russia's brutal Donbas offensive in photos

by Asami Terajima

Two months after President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that the "Battle of Donbas" had begun, shelling and rocket fire intensifies as fierce fighting continues across the region. "Russia wants to destroy every city in Donbas, (and) 'every' is not an exaggeration," Zelensky said in an evening video address on June 10.

Mariupol evacuees: ‘People just dying, city in chaos’

Mariupol evacuees: ‘People just dying, city in chaos’

by Asami Terajima

ZAPORIZHZHIA – A large white tent in a shopping center parking lot in Zaporizhzhia, welcomes hundreds of evacuees who left everything behind after Russian forces destroyed peace in their hometowns. Under the marquee, displaced people sit at long communal tables and silently gulp down warm meals prepared by volunteers. Still in

Kyiv train station mayhem as thousands rush to flee

Kyiv train station mayhem as thousands rush to flee

by Asami Terajima

Editor’s Note: Ukrainians mentioned in this story were reluctant to have their full names published in the press due to security risks brought by the Russian invasion. Thousands of people spend hours at Kyiv’s central railway station, each day, hanging onto a slim hope of boarding a train

McDonald's and KFC offer food assistance amid Russian invasion

McDonald's and KFC offer food assistance amid Russian invasion

by Asami Terajima

American fast-food chains McDonald’s and KFC have begun offering food to militants and others in need to help Ukrainians fight off the Russian invasion. The companies have temporarily shut down local eateries since Russia launched an all-out war against Ukraine on Feb. 24. The Russian advance into Ukraine continues

Psaki: U.S. ready to accept Ukrainian refugees.

Psaki: U.S. ready to accept Ukrainian refugees.

by Asami Terajima

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said that the U.S. is also ready to help Europe cope with the growing number of refugees fleeing the war-affected country. “The U.S.A. specifically has a great deal of experience (in providing humanitarian assistance),” she said during her briefing.

World reacts to Kremlin escalation with sanctions

World reacts to Kremlin escalation with sanctions

by Asami Terajima

Western leaders began swiftly imposing sanctions on Russian officials and financial institutions following the blunt move of Russian President Vladimir Putin to recognize Kremlin-controlled regions as independent states. In his speech, the Russian autocrat questioned Ukraine’s right to exist. He also ordered the Russian army to officially move into

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