Faces of russian propaganda in the TOT: victoria melnikova
The CCD continues its series of reports about key executors of russian propaganda in the occupied territories of Ukraine. Today, we will introduce victoria melnikova, the editor-in-chief of UNION, the largest TV channel in the occupied Donetsk region.
When russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in 2014, melnikova was a student at Donetsk National University. At the same time, she started working as a correspondent for UNION, a regional TV channel seized by the “dpr” militants. In her reports, she actively spread fakes about alleged “atrocities by the Ukrainian Armed Forces” and praised the russian occupiers.
Following the full-scale invasion, melnikova began collaborating with the “ministry of information of the dpr,” an entity tasked with censorship and tailoring the information space in the occupied territories to suit kremlin narratives.
As the current editor-in-chief of UNION, melnikova is fully responsible for the channel’s content. Under her leadership, the propaganda outlet broadcasts material designed to legitimize the russian occupation and promote the kremlin’s militarized ideology. The channel routinely blames Ukraine for the deaths and destruction caused by shelling, while portraying russian troops—who invaded Ukraine with weapons—as “saviors.”
The so-called “journalist” victoria melnikova frequently gives interviews to russian propagandists, in which she revisits pre-war Ukraine, weaving tales about the “terrible Banderites” and the alleged “suffering” of residents in the now-occupied Donetsk region during Ukraine’s governance. When describing current life in the occupied territories, she paints a rosy picture, portraying an idealized and false narrative.
melnikova also organizes “charity” events to support the russian military, aligning her work with kremlin propaganda. She actively supported and promoted the illegal presidential elections in the occupied territories, further legitimizing the occupation through her coverage.
In Ukraine, melnikova has been charged with collaboration and faces up to 12 years in prison for her propagandist activities.
