Irish reporter and social media influencer Caolan Robertson has been awarded an Order of Merit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He was among several Ukrainian and foreign reporters to be awarded with the honour for their work covering Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Robertson said in a post on social media that he was “completely blown away” by the award, describing it as “profound honour”.
The Kilkenny native also said, “powerful people want the truth about Ukraine buried” and it is a “privilege to be able to tell it”.
The Office of the President of Ukraine said the awards were presented for Journalist’s Day.
This is Nikopol, a city in Ukraine where civilians are being hunted by drones. I investigated how russians are now launching those drones FROM Europe’s largest nuclear power plant at the other side of the river. Russian aggression puts the entire planet at risk of nuclear… pic.twitter.com/IwDL1fk7Qv
— Caolan (@CaolanReports) May 26, 2026
Mr Zelensky thanked journalists and media workers who “show the world what our people have to endure”.
“We also thank all dedicated foreign media professionals who stand on the right side of history and ensure that the world does not forget or remain silent about what is happening in Ukraine.
“It is precisely this active support that helps us secure assistance at the political level,” he said.
Mr Zelensky added: “All of us must preserve the memory and honour the contribution to our fight of those journalists who were killed in this war.”
A Reporters Without Borders report published in February said that 16 journalists have been killed covering the conflict since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Mr Robertson previously worked for Canadian far-right media outlet Rebel News, along with making videos for far-right activists such as Alex Jones and Tommy Robinson.
Speaking to Newstalk radio in 2021, Mr Robertson said he regrets making extremist content.
He added that he is now dedicated to “exposing the far-right, exposing disinformation”.