(KYIV, UKRAINE) – Journalist and filmmaker Caolan Robertson has warned that Western governments and media organisations are failing to confront Russian aggression, following his recent reporting from Ukraine and attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Speaking in an interview in Kyiv, Robertson said many international leaders, journalists, and business figures remain poorly informed about the war and unwilling to challenge those with links to Russia.
Robertson, who has lived in Ukraine since 2023, said he has focused his work on documenting daily life under attack, including missile strikes, drone assaults, and conditions on the front lines. He said Ukraine remains one of the few places where people fully understand the scale of the Russian threat.
“I feel safer here than in many Western capitals,” he said. “People in Ukraine know what is happening. In other places, many still do not.”
He described his experience at Davos as “deeply troubling”, saying that influential figures appeared detached from realities on the ground in Ukraine.
According to Robertson, some politicians and business leaders showed sympathy but lacked understanding, while others appeared motivated by financial and personal interests.
He referred to a meeting where US businessman Steve Wickoff announced plans to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow, promising to secure peace. Robertson said the announcement was met with applause, despite continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.
Only days earlier, Russian missile strikes had damaged power facilities in Ukraine, leaving large parts of cities without electricity.
Robertson said he decided to confront Wickoff in public after the speech, questioning his links to Russia and his role in negotiations.
He criticised major media outlets for failing to raise similar concerns, despite maintaining expensive operations at Davos.
“Many journalists avoid difficult questions because they fear losing access,” he said.
He also highlighted what he described as a closed culture at international forums, where invitations to private events and elite gatherings discourage independent reporting.
Robertson said he believes some Western officials are influenced by Russian money and business interests. He pointed to Belgium as a major hub for Russian financial deposits and criticised delays in releasing frozen Russian assets.
During his work in Ukraine, Robertson has reported extensively from Kherson, Odesa, and front line areas, often using only his mobile phone.
He said traditional media organisations rely too heavily on large teams and expensive equipment, which can distance audiences from events.
“People want honesty and closeness to the story,” he said.
He added that filming daily life in war zones helps viewers understand the emotional and physical toll on civilians and soldiers.
Robertson said his approach has reached large audiences, with his online reporting attracting hundreds of millions of views in 2025.
However, he acknowledged that the work has come at a personal cost.
He said repeated exposure to violence, destruction, and civilian suffering has affected his mental health.
“I am close to breaking point,” he said. “I have experienced panic attacks and exhaustion.”
He said his recent visit to Antonivka and Kherson, where he filmed Ukrainian drone defence units, was particularly difficult.
Unlike journalists working for major organisations, Robertson said he lacks institutional support, paid leave, and counselling services.
He edits, publishes, and promotes his work independently, often working late into the night.
He also warned that frequent exposure to danger can reduce journalists’ sense of risk over time.
“That can be very dangerous,” he said.
Robertson said he now plans to take a short break from reporting but remains committed to documenting the war.
He said many Europeans still underestimate Russia’s intentions and capacity for violence.
“People think Russia is just eccentric,” he said. “They do not see how dangerous it is.”
He criticised continued trade with Russia, including energy purchases and transport routes that allow Russian exports to pass through NATO countries.
He warned that unless Western governments act more decisively, the consequences could eventually reach major European cities.
“War is already here,” he said. “Many people just refuse to see it.”
Robertson called for stronger political leadership, more independent journalism, and sustained public engagement with Ukraine’s struggle.
He said Ukraine’s fight is not only for its own survival but for democratic values across Europe.
