Anastasia Godyna, Russia

Anastasia Godyna is originally from Kazakhstan and moved to Chelyabinsk in Russia eight years ago. The city hit the headlines in February 2013 following the spectacular explosion of a meteor over the region. The shockwave of the explosion caused widespread damage and injured more 1,000 people. Godyna graduated from Chelyabinsk State University in 2011 with a degree in journalism. Since then, she has been working as a reporter at Vesti FM radio in Chelyabinsk and covers Russia's southern Urals.

Godyna's radio feature "Expensive assessment" examines the ongoing conflict between residents in the Chelyabinsk Oblast and the Russian military. Residents were concerned that bombers would frequently fly over their local area. Despite their complaints, military bombers continued to fly overhead until the country’s highest court ruled the flights were illegal. However, another problem that worries residents has not been solved - the destruction of ammunition on a firing range.

The explosions have caused serious damage to houses in neighbouring villages. But the owners can only bring the matter to court if they commission an expert analysis of the situation - something that they can’t afford. Godyna's radio report asks why citizens should be expected to follow the law when officials often disregard it. Moreover, criticizing the military is a sensitive matter as it is the region's largest employer.