Oleksiy Pryadko (better known as Aleksey Shevtsov) is a Ukrainian IT blogger, streamer, and technology reviewer. Creator of the YouTube channels «itpedia», «Aleksey Shevtsov», and «Jolygolf». Born on August 12, 1994, in Odesa (Ukraine). In 2018, he emigrated to Europe, where he resides to this day, continuing to produce blogs for a Russian-speaking audience.
Itpedia's Stance on the War in Ukraine
From the onset of the full-scale war, Oleksiy Pryadko took an unequivocal pro-Ukrainian stance, calling Russia an aggressor state. In the very first days of the invasion, he began posting emotional updates on his Telegram channel, recounting what was happening to his native city and his family, who were sheltering in basements from Russian artillery and missile strikes.
On February 24, 2022, he clearly defined his identity and his attitude toward the "liberators":
I am in constant contact with my relatives and loved ones in Odesa, who were awakened today by «liberating» shells. I am Russian, and I have no need for such a «Russian world.» My homeland is Ukraine.
The following day, faced with the horrors of war through the stories of his subscribers, Aleksey Shevtsov did not hold back his emotions toward those endorsing the aggression:
I am keeping in touch with dozens of affected subscribers... Here is a 15-year-old kid from a village near Luhansk whose house was destroyed today by an artillery shell... I despise every single bastard who in any shade or form supports this. Scum.
Aleksey formulated what exactly Ukraine is fighting for, identifying freedom of speech and the peaceful transfer of power as fundamental differences from Russia:
What is Ukraine fighting for? ... - For the right to call one's president a junkie and not get beaten with batons in a police paddy wagon... That is called freedom of speech, and in Ukraine, limping though it may be, it exists. - A «junkie president» can be replaced at elections; that is called rotation of power... - For trade, political, and cultural integration with Europe... - For one's home. There is an essential quality of a mature nation — to desire sovereignty and independence.
Itpedia has systematically debunked the narratives of Russian state propaganda, publishing footage of devastated Mariupol and evidence of war crimes in Bucha, as well as reporting on the systematic destruction of Ukrainian state symbols in occupied territories.
The war also affected him directly: the blogger documented the aftermath of a Russian missile strike on the Kharkiv workshop where his brand merchandise was manufactured, and shared nostalgic memories of pre-war Donetsk.
Aid to Ukraine
From the first days of the invasion, Aleksey moved from words to deeds and established a fund for financial assistance to Ukrainians affected by Russian military aggression.
He actively participates in volunteer operations, helping fund and complete critical humanitarian aid campaigns. On his Telegram channel, Shevtsov regularly publishes procurement and delivery reports, demonstrating his commitment through tangible actions (example 1, example 2, example 3).
During his live streams, Aleksey regularly engages in debates with Russian propagandists, ridicules pro-war "Z-bloggers," and brings the truth about the war to his multi-million audience.
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