Thousands of Ukrainian journalists are on the front lines of the battle, risking their lives in the face of severe shelling and assaults. People’s hearts are being tugged online by a reporter’s tweet about abandoning war journalism.

From the first day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Illia Ponomarenko, a defence correspondent for The Kyiv Independent, has been reporting from the front lines. Ponomarenko turned to Twitter on Wednesday to vent his frustrations after witnessing disaster every day up close.

While reporting on the atrocities in Bucha, Ponomarenko took to Twitter, said, “When this war is over, I’m gonna quit war journalism. F*** it.”

He added, “I’m gonna get a quiet remote place to live and will be writing stories of whales and polar explorers.”

While reporting from the outskirts of Kyiv, where proof of gruesome civilian killings has stunned the world, he noted that his old residence in Bucha had survived. Ponomarenko continued in a tweet, “This used to be a section of my favorite cycling route running through Bucha. I now I can hardly recognize many of the streets I used to know in the Kyiv Oblast.”

This used to be a section of my favorite cycling route running through Bucha.
I now I can hardly recognize many of the streets I used to know in the Kyiv Oblast. pic.twitter.com/Cx3gBZtNfS

— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) April 5, 2022

Many people reacted with photographs and videos to soothe him, while others invited him to beautiful spots when things improved, all while praying for his safety and hoping for a swift resolution to the crisis.

We don’t have whales but we do have a polar circle in Lapland Finland. I have a very good option for you: Kökar island in the middle of the Baltic Sea. I’d be shy to show places to you there. There is no police, no crimes. Always open doors.

— Nina Lindfors (@LindforsNina) April 6, 2022

I’m in Northern Ontario as well Illia. One of the highest number of Ukrainian immigrants in Canada. You’ll be right at home. This war is breaking my heart.

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— Pietro Masdea (@pete2528ca) April 6, 2022

Remember if it was not for journalist like you, the innocent that lost their lives would have been forgotten.
Thank you for being their voices ~

~ღೋღ
(｡◕‿◕｡)
ㄥi v モ 💙 ㄥo v モ 💛 ㄥa u g h 🌷
• ღ . . • * ❥*¨`*🌺ღ S M i ㄥ モ* ღ 🌼 🌹 💙 🌺 🌷 💜 •* ❥ pic.twitter.com/DajzAPTDib

— Farideh Jesberg (@farideh_jesberg) April 6, 2022

You deserve that.https://www.bolnews.com/viral/2022/04/viral-ukrainian-journalist-was-flooded-with-love-after-tweeted-gonna-quit-war-journalism/amp/

— TeslaGoesPlaid Part 3 🔋🚀 (@TeslaGoesPlaid) April 6, 2022

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Your whales. A big hug, Illia. 💪🏻❤️ https://www.bolnews.com/viral/2022/04/viral-ukrainian-journalist-was-flooded-with-love-after-tweeted-gonna-quit-war-journalism/amp/

— Avv Sa Riba Ibiza (@AvvSaRibaIbz) April 6, 2022

When you get tired of snow, come to the beach! Many hugs and Slava Ukraini! https://www.bolnews.com/viral/2022/04/viral-ukrainian-journalist-was-flooded-with-love-after-tweeted-gonna-quit-war-journalism/amp/

— Piano Mermaid 🌻 (@PianoMermaid) April 5, 2022

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