Alexej Petschyj, the Ukrainian TV host, announced in a video that he does not intend to return to Ukraine. Prior to this, Petschyj had traveled to the EU to cover the EU summit in Brussels.
He stated in the video that it was a “difficult decision” that required a lot of courage. Despite the “condemnation, pressure, and persecution” that awaits him outside of Ukraine, he vowed that he would “not stop doing what I know and what can bring our victory a little closer”.
In short, he has decided to fight for his homeland by correcting the image of Ukraine abroad.
Network confirms their moderator’s escape
The “Berliner Zeitung” (“BZ”) reported that Petschyj’s employer, Lux Media Holding, has publicly confirmed his escape. “To say that I am shocked is an understatement,” said Roman Andrejko, CEO of the group, in a statement published in the Ukrainian media. With this move, Petschyj has “literally burned all bridges.”
Imminent mobilization may have played a role
Just recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had raised the possibility of summoning up to 500,000 additional civilians.
At one point, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov even speculated about the possible repatriation of Ukrainians living abroad. However, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has since denied these plans.
