Shannon Joyce, the Mango Inquirer, trades Darwin for Ukraine

Speaking just 30 kilometres from the Russian border, the Mango Inquirer has explained to the NT News why he has traded Darwin for war torn Ukraine.

Darwin man Shannon Joyce, aka the Mango Inquirer, has been documenting his observations of Ukraine. Source: Facebook.

The Mango Inquirer has traded the streets of Darwin for the ruins of Ukraine, giving thousands of Territorians a candid perspective on the war-torn country.

This month, the man behind the social media page, Shannon Joyce, touched down in Kyiv – joining a unique group of reporters who have mingled with those fighting Russia’s Putin.

Speaking to the NT News, Mr Joyce said he wanted to “make a difference” through the craft of storytelling – in his words, “doing what I do best”.

“While The Mango Inquirer’s audience is predominantly Darwin and remote Northern Territory communities, I think that sharing what it’s like for me, on the ground, in a war torn country like Ukraine, can help my followers understand, and better connect with the plight of the Ukrainian people,” he said.

“So I sold my unit, kissed my daughters goodbye, and promised them I wouldn’t go anywhere near the frontline.”

Since 2022, Kyiv has been under fire from Russian forces. Picture: REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

With limited flights, trains and buses going in and out of the country, Mr Joyce had to enter Ukraine through neighbouring Poland.

Despite not speaking a “lick of the local languages”, Mr Joyce managed to find his way to Kyiv through his own initiative – which involved a 17-hour bus trip.

In his first two days on Ukrainian soil, Mr Joyce was taken by a local guide to see first-hand the areas targeted by Russian forces and the precise locations of where Russian war crimes were committed.

A drone strike targeting an area just a few kilometres from where Mr Joyce was staying. Source: Mango Inquirer.

A couple of days later, Mr Joyce witnessed deadly action from his balcony.

“The war and its dangers didn’t truly hit until the fifth night in Kyiv, when I saw a drone explosion out my window, about three kilometres from where I was staying,” he said.

“The anxiety wears-off pretty quickly though, and you do get a sense of how people go on with their lives day-to-day, despite the threat of death from above.”

As well as connecting with Australians serving in the conflict, Mr Joyce said he also wanted to build rapport with the locals and understand their wartime attitude.

“I don’t speak Ukrainian or Russian, and coming from a small city in Australia, I’m yet to crack their Soviet personas to make the omelette of human vulnerability we know is beneath every cultural exterior,” he said.

“My approach to content here in Ukraine is avoiding the typical foreign YouTuber/Influencer pathway of hiring a guide for my entire time here, and publishing the same stuff you seem to get in all these videos.”

The conflict has been raging for more than three years. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP)

A former artilleryman, Mr Joyce revealed he had thrown some valuable military credentials into his luggage.

“I brought along my dog tags for good luck,” he said.

“And a three-inch stack of army course reports including my M113 armoured personnel driver qualification, in case my social media contributions are not rewarding enough.”

Despite copping a “fair share” of criticism for his Ukrainian coverage, Mr Joyce said the “vast majority” of feedback was positive.

Australians who have been killed or gone missing in the conflict returned to headlines this month after it was reported Queenslander Caleb List was feared dead

There are fears for Australian man Caleb List (pictured), who was reported missing in the Kharkiv region last week. Picture: Facebook

It was reported Mr List had been serving in Kharkiv – the same region Mr Joyce was staying during his interview with this masthead.

Despite the missing identities and rising casualty toll, Mr Joyce maintained there was another side to the conflict that wasn’t well understood.

“I don’t feel like I’m in danger here in Kharkiv, 30 km from the Russian border; simply because of the locals going about their lives,” he said.

“You can’t see it back at home, but it’s everywhere you look here, and it’s very reassuring.”

On a personal note, Mr Joyce revealed his mother’s battle with cancer had inspired him to not “die old” with regrets.

“Feels like I’ve wasted 20 years of my life since leaving the army; but what a great waste it’s been,” he said.

“My girls are virtually independent and have a nice superannuation payout to set them up if dad departs the stage earlier than expected.”

His message for those in Ukraine: “My name is Mango and I’m here to help.”

Originally published as Shannon Joyce, the Mango Inquirer, trades Darwin for Ukraine