Award-winning journalist becomes Aftenposten's new Ukraine correspondent

Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten is strengthening its long-term presence in Ukraine by appointing award-winning journalist and photographer Afshin Ismaeli as its new correspondent. Ismaeli, 40, will report from Ukraine, delivering news, analysis, images, video, and audio for the publication.

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Few journalists in the world have his source network, endurance, and experience.

"Few journalists in the world have his source network, endurance, and experience," said Tone Tveøy Strøm-Gundersen, Aftenposten's news editor. She described Ismaeli as one of the most experienced war reporters in Norwegian press, skilled in writing, photography, filming, and storytelling. "He has a unique ability to get close to people under extreme conditions, giving Aftenposten's readers and listeners a rarely complete correspondent profile in one of our time's most important stories," Strøm-Gundersen added.

Aftenposten established a dedicated correspondent office in Kyiv in the spring of 2022, shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion. Ismaeli's appointment continues the newspaper's investment in its own presence in Ukraine. "Presence is crucial," Strøm-Gundersen stated. "The war in Ukraine shapes Europe's security and has consequences for Norway. At the same time, it is also fought as a battle for the description of reality. Presence is a prerequisite for being able to verify information, talk to people, and show what the war is actually doing to people and society."

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He has a unique ability to get close to people under extreme conditions, giving Aftenposten's readers and listeners a rarely complete correspondent profile in one of our time's most important stories.

Ismaeli expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, calling the Ukraine war one of the most important and brutal conflicts to cover. "I am both happy and humble about the trust," he said. "As a correspondent, I will be close to the people living with the war every day. The goal is to get closer to what is happening, build sources, and tell stories that are difficult to report from a distance. For me, good foreign journalism is primarily about being present."

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The war in Ukraine shapes Europe's security and has consequences for Norway. At the same time, it is also fought as a battle for the description of reality. Presence is a prerequisite for being able to verify information, talk to people, and show what the war is actually doing to people and society.

Ismaeli has been associated with Aftenposten since 2017 and has reported from various conflict zones, including Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. He previously located two sisters from Bærum in the Al-Hol camp and found five orphaned children with Norwegian IS parents unknown to Norwegian authorities. His journalism has been recognized with awards, including the Media Prize for best national news coverage. He was also present during the Taliban's takeover in Kabul in 2021, and his photo of a Taliban chief using a rowing machine in the evacuated Norwegian embassy won "Picture of the Year." Ismaeli is already familiar with Ukraine, having conducted several reporting trips and worked in cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, Bakhmut, and Zaporizhzhia.

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It means a lot to me to have this opportunity. I am both happy and humble about the trust. The Ukraine war is one of our time's most important and brutal conflicts to cover. I look forward to following it over time. As a correspondent, I will be close to the people living with the war every day. The goal is to get closer to what is happening, build sources, and tell stories that are difficult to report from a distance. For me, good foreign journalism is primarily about being present.