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Vasilisa Stepanenko

b. 1999

Ukrainian journalist, producer, presenter

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About Vasilisa Stepanenko

Born 1999. Vasilisa Stepanenko is a Ukrainian journalist and producer.

Vasylysa Illivna Stepanenko (also Vasilisa Stepanenko; ; born 19 November 1999) is a Ukrainian journalist and video producer. In 2023, she shared the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service with Evgeniy Maloletka, Mstyslav Chernov, and Lori Hinnant for her work with the Associated Press covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Life and work Vasilisa Stepanenko was born on 19 November 1999, in Kharkiv. She attended the Kharkiv State Academy of Culture and graduated with a Bachelor degree in Journalism in 2021.

Stepanenko started working as a freelancer with the Associated Press in January 2022. In February and March 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Associated Press staff member Mstyslav Chernov, photographer Evgeniy Maloletka, and Stepanenko, freelancers working for AP, stayed in Mariupol, which was encircled by the Russian troops, under siege, and extensively bombed, whereas the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Defense Ministry claimed that Russia only targets military installations. Chernov, Maloletka, and Stepanenko were among the few journalists, and, according to the AP, the only international journalists in Mariupol during that period, and their photographs were extensively used by Western media to cover the situation. Stepanenko acted as video producer.

She was one of the producers of 20 Days in Mariupol.

Awards 2023: Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, shared with Evgeniy Maloletka, Mstyslav Chernov, and Lori Hinnant for her work with the Associated Press covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine 2024: International Septimius Awards.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Kharkiv State Academy of Culture
Awards
Pulitzer Prize for Public Service; George Polk Award; Royal Television Society; Shevchenko National Prize
Also known as
Vasylysa Illivna Stepanenko

People in Vasilisa Stepanenko's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Vasilisa Stepanenko's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Vasilisa Stepanenko?

Ukrainian journalist, producer, presenter

When was Vasilisa Stepanenko born?

Vasilisa Stepanenko was born on 19 November 1999 in Kharkiv.

What is Vasilisa Stepanenko's occupation?

Vasilisa Stepanenko is a journalist and producer.

What nationality is Vasilisa Stepanenko?

Vasilisa Stepanenko is Ukrainian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Vasilisa Stepanenko

· Wikidata: Q118224301

· DBpedia: Vasilisa Stepanenko

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Vasilisa Stepanenko. https://biography.guide/vasilisa-stepanenko/

MLA: "Vasilisa Stepanenko." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/vasilisa-stepanenko/.

Chicago: "Vasilisa Stepanenko." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/vasilisa-stepanenko/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-21 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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