On April 25, 2024, journalist, editor, and theater expert Alla ("Ruta") Pushkarchuk was killed in the war.
Alla Pushkarchuk studied publishing and editing at the Institute of Journalism of Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts and theater studies at the Kyiv National University of Theater, Film, and Television named after I. Karpenko-Kary.
At the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014, Alla participated in the Revolution of Dignity but could not return to her studies after the events on Maidan.
From August 2014 to April 2018, she served in the 5th Separate Battalion of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army as a press secretary and photographer. It was during this time she received the call sign "Ruta."
"One of her photos – a candle on a windowsill in memory of the dead – became a powerful symbol. Alla dreamed of creating an exhibition based on the photos she collected about those defending Ukraine. I once asked Alla, 'Ruta, how do you manage to capture such moments?' She replied, 'You know, I take about a hundred shots. And only one turns out right,'" recalled volunteer Valentyna Olefirenko, known as "Mem."
Alla’s reportage "Right Turn" was a top-10 finalist in the "Samovydets" Literary Reportage Contest in 2016.
In 2017, her series of photographs from the frontlines won recognition in the XIX International Photo Contest by the nationwide newspaper Den.
After demobilization, Alla worked as a journalist and news editor for Ukrainian Week magazine (2018–2020).
"We brought Alla into the Week team. She worked conscientiously, growing from a news writer to a full-fledged cultural reviewer. Alla belonged to the generation that matured during the war and eagerly made plans for the future. She collected folk jewelry, was deeply engaged in cultural life, and frequently posted pictures of cats that accompanied her everywhere. No one can replace Alla – neither in peaceful life nor in wartime. Her loss is irreparable in every sense," recalled Dmytro Krapyvenko, her former editor-in-chief.
Alla also worked as a public relations specialist for Komora Publishing House (2019–2020).
In 2021, Alla applied for the position of managing editor at the book-focused publication Chytomo.
"Only Alla's technical task for the news editor position was done flawlessly. At Chytomo, we try to evaluate the literary process critically. Alla’s innate good taste in literature, style, and culture greatly contributed to her work and was invaluable to us in the media," said Oksana Khmelovska, editor-in-chief of Chytomo.
Alla worked with the Chytomo team for six months as a news editor and coordinator of the project "People from Empty Chairs" (#EmptyChairPeople).
At the start of the full-scale invasion, Alla and her husband Maksym joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. She served as a mortar operator in the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, working with a mortar sight and artillery software.
"Ruta" died in Donetsk Oblast on April 25, 2024, during a missile strike, passing away in her husband’s arms.
In addition to her husband, Alla is survived by her elderly mother.
