The article by sociologist Mykola Homaniuk and Roma researcher Janush Panchenko, titled “From a Pilfered Nail to a Stolen Tank: The Role of a Media Event in the Consolidation of the Ukrainian Political Nation,” won an award at the international journalism competition Journalist Excellent Award 2025 in the category “Ethnic media reporting on Roma,” receiving a special jury prize.
According to the authors, the idea for the study came after reports spread that Roma people in the village of Lyubymivka, Kherson region, had allegedly stolen a Russian tank during the first days of the full-scale invasion:
“We decided not to study whether the tank was really stolen, but how this information spread and what impact it had in Ukraine and beyond,” explained Mykola Homaniuk.
Both authors are from Kahovka. Janush said that work on the article began during the occupation — he interviewed relatives and friends from the Roma community. “I remember people were afraid: if you recorded a conversation and Russian soldiers found the recordings on your phone at a checkpoint, it could lead to serious consequences. But despite the risks, many agreed to interviews, even though they didn’t want problems,” he added.
Mykola and Janush admitted they did not expect to win, but they are happy that their work helped present their hometown and the Roma community at the international level — especially at the Council of Europe. For them, it is also important that the topic of Ukraine and Ukrainian Roma attracts interest around the world.
We are incredibly proud of our colleagues for their remarkable achievement and we are happy to stand alongside researchers and journalists who highlight the realities, resilience, and agency of Ukrainian Roma – work that is more important than ever in fostering understanding, visibility, and global solidarity.