The head of the Union of Ukrainian Women of America Natalia Pavlenko made an official statement on the statement of the SUA representative Zoryana Bodnar in an interview with TRK “Avers”
LODA reminded that on the basis of unverified information, Lutsk-based TRK Avers shot a manipulative story alleging that Lviv’s OVA was allegedly involved in the theft of humanitarian aid, and that Lviv’s Fourth Studio had distributed it. Maksym Kozytskyi, the head of the Lviv OVA, also expressed his position on this:
Recently, there have been many cases of spreading false information in the media and on social networks about the improper organization of supplies and distribution of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
In particular, the story of Lutsk’s Avers TV and Radio Company and its distribution by the Lviv edition of the Fourth Studio contain allegations that I, as the head of the Lviv OBA, may be involved in embezzling humanitarian aid from the Ukrainian diaspora in the United States.
This conclusion is made by journalists on the basis of a private comment by the representative of the public organization “Union of Ukrainian Women” Zoryana Bodnar on social networks without providing any facts, results of the investigation or clarification of the circumstances.
Regarding the above media publications, I officially declare:
1. Now the war and my position, as well as the position of the President, requires sharpness and clarity. The information disseminated by the mentioned media has all the signs of a fake attack on the leadership of the regional administration.
2. The submitted “facts” are easy to verify.
3. During the entire military period, the Lviv OVA did not receive any humanitarian cargo from the Union of Ukrainian Women NGO or other legal or natural persons from the United States.
4. Accordingly, neither I nor other LOVA officials had or have anything to do with the said humanitarian goods. This suggests that the plot is clearly custom-made and is a shining example of media killerism and manipulation of public opinion.
5. The information comes from certain political circles, which have already caused obvious damage to Lviv and Lviv region. In addition to trying to inflict reputational damage on the current administration, accusing me and LOVA officials of direct manipulation of humanitarian aid could have far-reaching subversive consequences. This will be clarified soon.
6. We call on the journalistic community to give a proper assessment of the actions of their “colleagues”.
7. The whole world understands that Lviv region is one of the most important regions of Ukraine’s logistics. Discrediting this role of our region can be of strategic importance to the enemy.
Everyone knows what efforts and what money Russia is spending on the information war. But it is not always known through whom it acts.
Let’s be vigilant and smart – we will win faster!
In her address, Natalia Pavlenko demands that the TV company refute the distortion of the facts in the story.
“In an interview with Avers TV channel, Zoryana Bodnar never stated that she was speaking on behalf of SUA. According to her, she explained to journalists that she was trying to find humanitarian aid that her SUA department sent to Ukraine through Meest USA. In this context, the organization was not mentioned in any other way. Unfortunately, the media decided to create the content of Ms. Bodnar’s interview and grab a detail about our organization. We demand that Avers TV channel and its reporters issue a rebuttal to this distortion of facts, “Natalia Pavlenko said in her address.
“Don’t lose your mind. Check the information carefully. Remember, the enemy also works on all fronts, and we do not always know through whom and by what methods he acts. I thank the Union of Ukrainian Women of America for a clear and balanced position, “Maksym Kozytskyi added.