A year after the start of the conflict, the editorial staff of France 2 mobilized during an evening devoted to Ukraine.
Anne-Sophie Lapix will kick off this special by presenting the 8 p.m. newscast, this Thursday, February 16, live from Kiev, with reports and a meeting with Vitali Klitschko, the city's mayor.
LE FIGARO.
- Why was it important to be there?
Anne-Sophie Lapix.
-
Realizing the live newspaper from Kyiv is quite unique.
This makes it possible to show the mobilization of the entire editorial staff, in particular the reporters who have been covering the war for a year, and above all to highlight what the Ukrainians are going through.
You went to Ukraine in March 2022, what changes did you notice?
Last year we were in Lviv because kyiv was under siege.
The war had broken out a fortnight ago and people were taking the train to flee.
We had the sad feeling that, like kyiv, Lviv was going to be bombed and that Russia was going to win this war quite easily.
In one year, the situation has obviously changed a lot, the Ukrainians are showing resistance and incredible resilience.
How is the atmosphere in Kyiv?
Here, everything works, restaurants, transport, shops… Afterwards, I don't know if this feeling is accentuated by the gray sky and the cold but I have a feeling of sadness.
I was able to interview the mayor of kyiv, Vitali Klitschko.
I told him that it was very surprising to have the feeling that people live normally.
And he replied that it was an illusion.
Giving this impression is also a way of resisting.
You have carried out reports on the spot, what do they talk about?
We went to Irpin where the famous bridge was destroyed at the start of the war and where tens of thousands of people crossed the river to escape the bombardments.
We spoke with residents who were both disgusted and helpless because half of the city was destroyed, but also very proud, combative and supportive.
We met a lady who spent several days holed up in her cellar who told us about the nightmare of her exodus, but also a couple who, when they returned, found their house completely destroyed even though they had built it from their hands.
These are very moving encounters.
Was it complicated to organize this live and what conditions were imposed?
We prepared things in advance with our reporters and our fixer.
Last year, we left in a somewhat improvised way, this time the organization is more serious.
We have had first aid training and we are equipped with equipment in case of a problem such as bulletproof vests, helmets, first aid kits for making tourniquets... even if there is very little risk that we will use them because we are not going to the front.
There are also a lot of permissions to request to go to strategic sites.
We are in a country at war, so there are rules to respect.
How do you live being there?
I am very mobilized, motivated and happy to be here, at an important time.
We are in a war that is turning our lives upside down.
Since the start of my career, I've been more inclined to be on a set and it's also good to sometimes go and see what's happening on the pitch.
After the newspaper, I hand over to Élise Lucet for a “Special Envoy”.
Then, Caroline Roux hosts “The Event”.
There will also be 'Complementary investigation' and 'We the Europeans'.
Then the rebroadcast of a subject of “1:15 p.m. on Sunday”.
Everyone is on Ukrainian time.
You have been confirmed on the television news for the next school year, what was your reaction?
Obviously, I'm extremely happy that the News Department still trusts me.
It's an exciting exercise so as long as I can go on, I'm doing it.
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