In the weeks before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian newspapers, like those in many other countries, covered a mix of everyday and global issues. These included discussions about the likelihood of war, problems faced by Ukrainian tourists abroad, changes to school lunch programs, and the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. However, the invasion on 24 February 2022 dramatically changed the media landscape. As Russian forces moved into the country, many businesses shut down or moved, martial law was imposed, and hundreds of thousands of working-age men were conscripted into the military. In the first week alone, about a million people fled the country. A small group of journalists stayed behind to report on the unfolding war. Oksana Brovko, CEO of the Association of Independent Regional Press Publishers of Ukraine (AIRPPU), said that in just one day, most Ukrainian journalists were thrust into the role of war correspondents, particularly in areas near the frontlines. This shift was not a professional choice but a direct result of the crisis that erupted in February 2022. Over the past four years, Brovko has worked to support Ukraine’s regional media by providing essential supplies such as bulletproof vests, first aid kits, generators, and charging stations. AIRPPU has provided material support, grants, and business strategies to over 180 media outlets to help them stay operational. Despite these efforts, local media continues to face serious threats. In July 2023 alone, eight local news outlets were destroyed by Russian missiles or drones. More than 300 publications have closed since the invasion began in 2022. UNESCO reported that around 28 percent of Ukrainian media outlets have closed since the war started, with 37 percent of newsrooms either partially or fully evacuated. The situation has worsened with the suspension of foreign aid programs after Donald Trump took office, which has further strained media operations. Newsrooms are struggling with a lack of staff, funding, and psychological support. The military mobilization has reduced the average number of reporters in newsrooms from 10–20 to 3–5. Evacuations have cut into subscription revenues, and the relocation of businesses has reduced advertising income. Nearly three-quarters of editors said a lack of funding was their main challenge last year, up from 58 percent the year before. Almost half of them cited staffing shortages as a major concern, with military conscription being the leading cause of reporters leaving, surpassing issues like stress and burnout. These journalists have played a vital role in documenting the war's impact on their communities. For example, the Mariupol-based outlet 0629 was present when Russian forces bombed a civilian shelter in a theatre on 16 March 2022. Vhoru, a newspaper based in Kherson, continued to publish even as the region was under Russian occupation for nine months. Brovko emphasized the historical significance of their work, noting that these newspapers are shaping the narrative of European history. The conflict has also placed pressure on the broader functions of a free press. Ukraine’s media has spent decades moving away from government control, and the country is still working to establish a new relationship with anti-corruption institutions. Brovko noted that local media plays a key role in holding government officials accountable, but reporters often face pressure from local authorities to limit their investigative work. Looking ahead, Brovko said the challenge is to move beyond the immediate struggle for survival and build long-term resilience. She emphasized the need to protect media independence and plan for the future beyond the current crisis. To help newsrooms adapt, AIRPPU has partnered with OpenAI and the World Association of News Publishers to explore the use of artificial intelligence in journalism. While the topic is sensitive, Brovko believes that AI can automate routine tasks and administrative work, allowing reporters to focus more on frontline news-gathering. Trudova Slava, a small digital and print newspaper in Zaporizhzhia, serves five communities in the region, many of which are currently inaccessible due to ongoing fighting. They need AI to monitor social media and other sources continuously, helping them find important stories and issues that might otherwise be missed. The Kremenchuk Telegraph plans to use AI tools to analyze large volumes of data, including asset declarations, court decisions, and public procurement records, to generate leads for investigations more efficiently than manual methods.