List of journalists detained by Russia since 2014
At least 112 Ukrainian and foreign journalists have been detained or taken hostage by Russian and pro-Russian forces since the start of the Russo–Ukrainian war in 2014 and up to today. Many of them are still in custody. For Victoria Roshchyna, the detention ended in death.
Russia has incriminated or is incriminating many media professionals of involvement in terrorist organizations, accusing them of terrorism or spying for Ukraine. Many of them have been subjected to torture, abuse, and beatings.
The Institute of Mass Information presents the list of journalists who have been detained by Russia since 2014.
2014
1. Oles Kromplyas, freelancer photo correspondent, detained by Russian troops at a checkpoint on March 9, 2014 while trying to enter Crimea from Kherson oblast. Released on March 11.
2. 1+1 journalists, detained by armed persons in camouflage in Congar on March 4, 2014 while trying to enter Crimea. The unknown persons took away their cameras and threatened them. They took the journalists hostage and told them they would be used as a human shield if the checkpoint is attacked. The filming crew was released after prolonged talks, but never allowed into Crimea.
3. Olena Maksymenko, photo journalist with the Tyzhden, detained by Russian troops at a checkpoint in Armyansk on March 9, 2014 while trying to enter Crimea from Kherson oblast. She was interrogated; all her IDs, her camera and two microphones were taken away. She was released on March 11.
4. Franсe TV1 crew of a journalist, cameraman and a Crimean driver were detained by people in uniform near Armyansk in March 2014 while trying to enter Crimea. Their filming equipment was destroyed. Later, the journalists contacted their colleagues at France TV1 and told them they were alright.
5. David Geoffrion, journalist with Canal+ (France), kidnapped by Russian troops on March 13, 2014 in Simferopol. He was reporting on an attack on a fuel depot and a Ukrainian military base. Russian troops demanded the footage in exchange for his freedom. He was released on March 13.
6. Oleh Balaban, UkrStream.TV cameraman, detained by a group of armed persons in Simferopol on March 14, 2014 while performing an editorial assignment. Released on March 15.
7. Yaroslav Pilunskyi, cameraman with the documentarist association Babylon13, kidnapped in Simferopol on March 16, 2014 along with his colleague, another Babylon13 cameraman Yuriy Hruzinov. The cinematographers were documenting the events unfolding in Crimea. Released on March 21.
8. Yuriy Hruzinov, cameraman with the documentarist association Babylon13, kidnapped in Simferopol on March 16, 2014 along with his colleague, another Babylon13 cameraman Yaroslav Pilunskyi. The cinematographers were documenting the events unfolding in Crimea. Released on March 21.
9. Levko Stek, Radio Liberty journalist. On March 18, 2014 unknown persons dragged him out of a bus in Bagcasaray, handcuffed him and tossed him in the back seat of a car. They drove him around for a long time, then took away his SIM cards and cameras and dropped him off in a field, advising him not to come to Crimea anymore.
10. Al Jazeera crew, detained by persons in military uniforms in Congar on March 22, 2014. The journalists were held in custody from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and then released.
11. Serhiy Hrishyn, journalist with Hromadske TV, detained by armed persons in Slovyansk (Donetsk oblast) on April 12, 2014 along with Lenta.ru journalist Ilya Azar. The persons forbade Hrishyn to do reporting work in the city. The two journalists were captured immediately upon approaching a building. They were taken to a seized police station and searched. After a while, they were released with threats and a prohibition to continue their work.
12. Artem Deyneha, streamer and citizen journalist who livestreamed the pro-Russian forces storming the SBU office in Slovyansk (Donetsk oblast). Kidnapped from his own apartment in Slovyansk in the evening of April 13, 2014. Released on May 2, 2014.
13. Oleksandr Bilinskyi, Gorlovka.ua editor, kidnapped by pro-Russian activists on April 14, 2014 in Horlivka. The activists raided the headquarters of Gorlovka.ua and the newspaper Kriminal-Express. They dragged Bilinskyi out of his office and took him to the Internal Affairs Bureau, where they demanded he explain why his news outlet calls them terrorists. He was released on the same day.
14. Oleksa Yaroslavtsev, journalist with the news agency "Poryad z Vamy", detained by pro-Russian activists in Donetsk on April 14, 2014 for filming the events around the oblast administration building along with his colleague Mykola Myrnyi. The activists tried to confiscate Yaroslavtsev's camera, took away his flash drive for photos and later released both journalists.
15. Mykola Myrnyi, journalist, detained by pro-Russian activists in Donetsk on April 14, 2014 for filming the events around the oblast administration building along with his colleague Oleksa Yaroslavtsev. The activists tried to confiscate Yaroslavtsev's camera, took away his flash drive for photos and later released both journalists.
16. Serhiy Lefter, journalist with the Open Dialogue Foundation. Detained by pro-Russian forces in Slovyansk (Donetsk oblast) on April 16, 2014. Lefter had traveled to the city to report from the ground. He was accused of espionage and involvement in the "Right Sector". He was released on May 2; his equipment, belongings and documents were taken away and never returned.
17. Paul Gogo, French journalist, kidnapped by pro-Russian activists in Slovyansk (Donetsk oblast) on April 21, 2014 along with Italian journalist Cosimo Attanasio and Belarusian journalist with Novy Chas Zmicer Halko. The three were filming in the city. Their documents, money, and photo equipment were taken away. They were released on the same day.
18. Cosimo Attanasio, Italian journalist, kidnapped by pro-Russian activists in Slovyansk (Donetsk oblast) on April 21, 2014 along with French journalist Paul Gogo and Belarusian journalist with Novy Chas Zmicer Halko. The three were filming in the city. Their documents, money, and photo equipment were taken away. They were released on the same day.
19. Zmicer Halko, Belarusian journalist with the newspaper Novy Chas, kidnapped by pro-Russian activists in Slovyansk (Donetsk oblast) on April 21, 2014 along with French journalist Paul Gogo and Italian journalist Cosimo Attanasio. The three were filming in the city. Their documents, money, and photo equipment were taken away. They were released on the same day.
20. Simon Ostrovsky, journalist with the Vice (USA). Detained by pro-Russian forces at a checkpoint entering Slovyansk (Donetsk oblast) on April 22, 2014. Simon says they had a photo of him and dragged him out of the car at the checkpoint. He was beaten immediately after the detention and spent several days in the basement of the occupied SBU headquarters. He was released on April 24.
21. Yevhen Hapych, Kolomyia-based photo correspondent (Ivano-Frankivsk oblast), went missing in Horlivka (Donetsk oblast) on April 22, 2014. After being released on April 25 he said that pro-Russian forces had captured him in Horlivka and took him to the basement of the SBU headquarters in Slovyansk, where they tortured him for several days, demanding he confess to being an UNA-UNSO memeber who had come to Donetsk oblast to fight.
22. Simon Shuster, journalist with the Time (UK), detained by pro-Russian forces at a checkpoint in Slovyansk (Donetsk oblast) on April 22, 2014. He was in the car with four more journalists. Shuster was detained for several hours and then released.
23. Frederick Paxton, British cameraman, detained by pro-Russian forces at a checkpoint in Slovyansk (Donetsk oblast) on April 22, 2014. He was in the car with four more journalists. Paxton was detained for several hours and then released.
24. Yuriy Lelyavskyi, freelancer journailst, detained in Slovyansk (Donetsk oblast) on April 25, 2014. Released on May 9 after 15 days in pro-Russian forces' custody. He was kept in the basement of the local SBU headquarters the entire time. Lelyavskyi was reporting for the ZIK media holding and RIA Novyny. He says he was detained exactly an hour after arriving in the city.
25. Serhiy Shapoval, journalist with VolynPost, went out of contact on April 26, 2014 after traveling to Slovyansk (Donetsk oblast). He says he was detained in a room in the oblast administration building for three weeks, where he was tortured and interrogated. Serhiy managed to get his freedom on May 18.
26. Ruslan Kukharchuk, journalist with the Novomedia association, detained by pro-Russian forces in the local Internal Affairs Ministry HQ in Slovyansk (Donetsk oblast) on April 27, 2014. He was captured for filming in the city. The pro-Russian militants interrogated him, threatened to kill him or cut off his ear, and beat him. He was released on April 28.
27. Mike Giglio, journalist with Buzzfeed (USA), went missing at a checkpoint in Slovyansk (Donetsk oblast) on May 2, 2014. The pro-Russian forces took the journalist and his interpreter Olena Hlazunova to the seized SBU headquarters. They were released on the same day after being searched, interrogated, and stripped of their valuable belongings.
28. Sky News crew (UK), went missing in Donetsk oblast on May 2, 2014 along with another reporting crew with CBS (USA). They went out of contact after traveling to Kostyantynivka. The journalists were detained and released on the same day.
29. CBS crew (USA), went missing in Donetsk oblast on May 2, 2014 along with another reporting crew with Sky News (UK). They went out of contact after traveling to Kostyantynivka. The journalists were detained and released on the same day.
30. Mykola Ryabchenko, Mariupol journalist, went missing near Manhush town in Donetsk oblast on May 6, 2014. He was detained in a basement of a hotel near Mariupol. The unknown persons who captured him used physical violence, took away his equipment and journalist IDs. He was released on May 7.
31. Iryna Solomko, ICTV chief editor. The ICTV filming crew was stopped at a checkpoint by pro-Russian forces in Slovyansk (Donetsk oblast) on May 8, 2014. The journalists were searched at gunpoint and detained with all their equipment seized. The journalists managed to get their freedom after enduring several hours of searches, abuse, and interrogations.
32. Pavel Kanygin, correspondent with Novaya Gazeta (Russia), detained by "DPR" operatives in Artemivsk (Donetsk oblast) on May 11, 2014. He was beaten and accused of working for the US State Department, the CIA, and the "Right Sector". He was also scolded for the way he reported on the sham referendum in the city and threatened with murder. Released later.
33. Stefan Scholl, German correspondent, detained by "DPR" operatives in Artemivsk (Donetsk oblast) on May 11, 2014 along with a Novaya Gazeta correspondent. He was beaten and accused of working for the US State Department, the CIA, and the "Right Sector".
34. Milana Omelchuk, Ukrainian photo correspondent, kidnapped by "DPR" operatives on May 6, 2014. Held in a basement near Donetsk. The hostage was fed once every other day, drugged with unknown substances. The operatives demanded a ransom of 50 thousand hryvnias, threatened to kill or maim her. She was released in Donetsk on May 18 without her money or documents.
35. Vyacheslav Bondarenko, journalist with the online news outlet Obzor (Luhansk), detained by pro-Russian forces at a checkpoint in Shchastya (near Luhansk) on May 25, 2014, along with the Spilno.tv streamer Maksym Osovskyi. The two were suspected of espionage. They endured several hours of beating and torture and spent several days detained in a basement of a seized SBU building. Osovskyi was released on May 27, Bondarenko on May 28.
36. Maksym Osovskyi, Spilno.tv streamer from Luhansk, detained by pro-Russian forces at a checkpoint in Shchastya (near Luhansk) on May 25, 2014, along with Obzor journalist Vyacheslav Bondarenko. The two were suspected of espionage. They endured several hours of beating and torture and spent several days detained in a basement of a seized SBU building. Osovskyi was released on May 27, Bondarenko on May 28.
37. Dmytro Lytvynenko, journalist with STB, taken hostage by "DPR" operatives in occupied Donetsk on May 29, 2014, along with the STB cameraman Oleksandr Razkevych. The two were beaten and threatened, then released on May 30.
38. Oleksandr Razkevych, cameraman with STB, taken hostage by "DPR" operatives in occupied Donetsk on May 29, 2014, along with the STB journalist Dmytro Lytvynenko. The two were beaten and threatened, then released on May 30.
39. Oleksandr Bryzh, chief editor for the newspaper Donbas, kidnapped by armed "DPR" operatives and taken to an unknown destination on June 2, 2014. He was released on the same day, accused of discrediting the "DPR".
40. Leonid Lapa, chief editor for Vecherniy Donetsk, kidnapped by armed "DPR" operatives and taken to an unknown destination on June 2, 2014. He was released on the same day, accused of discrediting the "DPR".
41. Artur Holubev, blogger from Kostyantynivka (Donetsk oblast), taken hostage by "DPR" operatives on June 5, 2014. He was detained for his social media posts calling for Ukraine's unity. He was released on June 21.
42. Maria Semenova, editor for Vechirnya Makiyivka, detained by armed "DPR" operatives in Makiyivka (Donetsk oblast) on June 17, 2014. The "DPR" operatives were unhappy with the media outlet's editorial policy. Semenova was released on the same day after a "talk".
43. Oleksandr Peremot, journalist with URA-Inform.Donbas, went missing in occupied Donetsk on June 17, 2014. He was detained in the prosecutor's office building and released on June 18. In his comment to the Institute of Mass Information, Peremot said that he had been detained for taking photos of the armed persons near the Donetsk prosecutor's office.
44. Oleksandr Chernov, freelance correspondent for Ostriv, anaesthesiologist, kidnapped by "DPR" militants in Yenakiyeve (Donetsk oblast) on June 26, 2014. Ostriv's chief editor Serhiy Harmash said that Chernov had been detained for working with the media outlet. Oleksandr says he was taken to Donetsk on June 28, where he managed to get his freedom.
45. Nastya Stanko, journalist with Hromadske TV, detained by "LPR" operatives on June 30, 2014, along with Hromadske TV cameraman Illya Bezkorovaynyi. The two were held in the basement of a building in downtown Luhansk and accused of "spying for the Ukrainian army." They were released on July 2. The journalists say the operatives threatened to murder them.
46. Illya Bezkorovaynyi, cameraman with Hromadske TV, detained by "LPR" operatives on June 30, 2014, along with Hromadske TV journalist Nastya Stanko. The two were held in the basement of a building in downtown Luhansk and accused of "spying for the Ukrainian army." They were released on July 2. The journalists say the operatives threatened to murder them.
47. Anton Skyba, fixer for CNN (USA), detained by armed "DPR" operatives in Donetsk on July 22, 2014. He was accused of "terrorism", beaten, and held in the seized SBU headquarters. He was forced to make false statements on camera. Skyba was released on July 26. He later said he had been detained for a pro-Ukraine Facebook post.
48. Yuriy Lelyavskyi, Lviv-based journalist, freelance correspondent for ZIK. Was captured by "LPR" operatives in Luhansk oblast, which was reported on July 24, 2014. Yuriy traveled to the front line together with priests of various denominations to report on their activism. He was released in October 2014.
49. Yevhen Shlyakhtyn, journalist, expert at the internal policy and information department of the Stakhanov City Council. Kidnapped by "LPR" operatives in Stakhanov (now Kadiyivka, Luhansk oblast) on July 31, 2014, for his reporting. He was released on August 29.
50. Yevhen Tymofeyev, jounalist with Futbolnyi Ohlyad (Stakhanov). Spent 30 days in "LPR" custody starting July 31, 2014. He was released on August 29, 2014. He was detained for his pro-Ukraine views and suspected of helping the Ukrainian army locate targets.
51. Oleksandr Osadchyi, NTN cameraman, taken hostage by "DPR" terrorists on August 2, released on August 6 late in the evening. The militants accused Oleksandr of helping the Ukrainian army locate targets. He was held in a basement of a Donetsk law enforcement building for five days, until his status as a media employee was proven.
52. Roman Cheremskyi, Kharkiv-based public activist, founder and journalist at Ukrainskyi Prostir, detained by "LPR" operatives at a checkpoint in the ATO zone on August 15, 2014. He was imprisoned in a "LPR commandant's office" in Rovenky (Luhansk oblast) for a long time on suspicion of espionage. He was released on December 27, 2014.
53. Hanna Ivanenko, journalist with 112 Ukraina, held hostage by "LPR" operatives for two and a half weeks. She was detained in August 2014 near Rovenky (Luhansk oblast).
54. Nazar Zotsenko, cameraman with 112 Ukraina, held hostage by "LPR" operatives for two and a half weeks. He was detained in August 2014 near Rovenky (Luhansk oblast).
55. Yehor Vorobyov, journalist with Espreso TV, was under siege near Ilovaysk (Donetsk oblast) starting August 25, 2014. He was held prisoner by Russia in Makiyivka (Donetsk oblast) for 38 days since August 31. He was released on October 7, 2014. A post-detention medical examination revealed two fractures in his arm and haematomas on his leg from being beaten with an axe. While in custody, he was offered to film reports for the "Don cossacks" keeping him in detention, who demanded it as a condition for his freedom.
56. Rostyslav Shaposhnykov, journalist with Dorozhnyi Control who spent one day in Russian custody. He was under siege near Ilovaysk (Donetsk oblast) when Russian forces took him prisoner on August 30, 2014. He was handed over to the Red Cross along with prisoners of war on August 31.
57. Taras Chkan, Espreso cameraman, was under Russian siege near Ilovaysk (Donetsk oblast) starting August 25, 2014. On September 2, 2014, it was reported that he was already in Kyiv.
58. Dmytro Potekhin, journalist and public activist, detained by "DPR" operatives in Donetsk on August 7, 2014. He was interrogated and then imprisoned in a basement in Izolyatsia. Dmytro was accused of espionage. He was sometimes deprived of food for days, and later went on a hunger strike. He was released on September 25, 2014, with no additional demands: the operatives merely said there had been a mistake. Dmytro Potekhin spent 49 days in custody.
59. Valeria Olifiruk, Donetsk blogger, taken prisoner by pro-Russian forces in September 2014 for posting photos of Khartsyzk, occupied in 2014, on her social media. The militants suspected Olifiruk of spying for the SBU and interrogated her.
60. Oleksandr Bilokobylskyi, Luhansk journalist, went missing on September 13, 2014. Detained by "LPR" operatives for 14 days. He had traveled to Luhansk to deliver medicine for his relatives.
61. Serhiy Sakadynskyi, Luhansk journalist, head of the Luhansk NGO "Eastern Ukraine Center", spent 5 months in "LPR" custody. He was taken prisoner by "LPR" operatives along with his wife Maria Havak from their cottage near Hostra Mohyla village (Luhansk oblast) on August 2, 2014. Their car was seized, and the things and documents found there became "evidence" against the journalist and his wife, who were accused of involvement in the Luhansk Euromaidan. Maria Havak was released on October 1, while Serhiy Sakadynskyi remained in detention until early 2015.
62. Serhiy Boyko, journalist, freelancer, wrote columns for Vesti (newspaper) and Reporter (magazine), detained by "LPR" operatives in Antratsyt (Luhansk oblast) on September 22, 2014. He was found on September 30 in Sverdlovsk (Luhansk oblast) with no documents or outerwear.
63. Oleksandr Harmatenko, photo reporter for Vesti. Detained by "LPR" operatives in Antratsyt (Luhansk oblast) on September 22, 2014. He was found on the morning of September 30 in Sverdlovsk (Luhansk oblast) with no documents or outerwear.
2015
64. Maria Varfolomeyeva, Luhansk journalist and public activist. Taken hostage by "LPR" operatives in Luhansk on January 9, 2015, accused of helping the Ukrainian artillery aim. Varfolomeyeva was released from "LPR" custody on March 3, 2016.
2016
65. Oleksiy Bessarabov, Ukrainian journalist and public activist unlawfully detained by Russia in occupied Crimea in 2016. Worked with the analysis center Nomos and wrote columns for the magazine Chornomorska Bezpeka. Charged with espionage and sabotage. Sentenced to 14 years in prison.
66. Dmytro Shtyblikov, Ukrainian journalist and public activist unlawfully detained by Russia in occupied Crimea in 2016. Charged with espionage and preparing sabotage operations together with Oleksiy Bessarabov and Volodymyr Dudka. Sentenced to 14 years in prison in a sham trial.
2017
67. Stanislav Aseyev, journalist, publicist, and writer, kidnapped by "DPR" militants in occupied Donetsk in June 2017. He wrote columns for RFE/RL's Donbas Realii, Ukrainskyi Tyzhden, Ukrainian Pravda, Dzerkalo Tyzhnya. He was released on December 29, 2019, as part of a Donbas prisoner swap. Accused by "DPR" militants of espionage and held in denetion since 2017.
68. Seyran Saliyev, citizen journalist, Crimean Solidarity streamer. Detained in occupied Bağçasaray on October 11, 2017, along with five other Crimean Tatars. Charged with preparing sabotage operations in Crimea on the Ukrainian intelligence's orders. Sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020 on fabricated terrorism charges in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case. Serves his unlawful sentence in a Tula region prison (Russia).
69. Marlen Asanov, citizen journalist, Crimean Solidarity volunteer. Detained in occupied Bağçasaray on October 11, 2017, along with several other Crimean Tatars. All were charged with "organizing the activities of the terrorist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir." Asanov was sentenced to 19 years in prison by the Rostov-on-Don court on September 16, 2020.
70. Tymur Ibrahimov, Crimean citizen journalist who reported on Russia's human rights violations and repression in the region since 2014. Detained by Russian police on October 11, 2017, along with several other Crimean Tatars in the so-called second Bağçasaray group case for alleged involvement in Hizb ut-Tahrir, an organization that is outlawed in Russia. Sentenced to 17 years in prison by a Russian court on September 16, 2020.
71. Ernes Ametov, Crimean Tatar citizen journalist, detained by Russian police on October 12, 2017, along with other Crimean Solidarity activists. Sentenced to 11 years in prison on fabricated charges of terrorism and working with Hizb ut-Tahrir by the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don (Russia) on December 29, 2022. Ametov was accused of involvement in the organization's activities and preparing to violently overthrow the government.
2018
72. Server Mustafayev, citizen journalist, Crimean Solidarity coordinator. Reported on politically motivated trials. Arrested in 2018 along with other suspects in the "second Bağçasaray Hizb ut-Tahrir case" in 2018 following a search. Sentenced to 14 years in prison by the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don (Russia) on September 16, 2020. The latest reports say he remains unlawfully detained in the Tambov prison No. 33 in Russia.
2019
73. Osman Arifmemetov, Crimean Tatar citizen journalist, activist. Detained by Russian police during a mass search of the homes of Crimean Tatar activists (including Crimean Solidarity representatives) on March 27, 2019. Prosecuted for alleged involvement in Hizb ut-Tahrir, an organization that is outlawed in Russia. Sentenced to 14 years in a high security prison by the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don (Russia) on November 24, 2022.
74. Remzi Bekirov, Crimean Tatar citizen journalist with Crimean Solidarity. Detained in occupied Crimea during searches in the homes of Crimean Tatar activists on March 27, 2019. Bekirov livestreamed searches and trials in politically motivated cases and reported on the persecution of Crimean Tatars. Sentenced to 19 years in prison for alleged terrorism and attempted overthrow of government by the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don (Russia) in 2020.
75. Ruslan Suleymanov, Crimean Tatar citizen journalist and activist, detained by Russian police along with other activists during the mass search in the homes of Crimean Tatars on March 27, 2019. Sentenced to 14 years in prison for alleged terrorism and attempted overthrow of government by the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don (Russia) in 2020.
76. Rustem Sheikhaliyev, Crimean Tatar citizen journalist and activist. Detained on March 27, 2019, during the mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Kamyanka and Strohanivka microdistricts (Simferopol). Accused by Russian police of involvement in Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is outlawed in Russia. Sentenced to 14 years in prison for alleged terrorism and attempted overthrow of government by the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don (Russia) on November 24, 2022.
2020
77. Amet Suleymanov, Crimean Tatar citizen journalist with Crimean Solidarity, reported on the searches and detentions targeting Crimean Tatars following the 2014 Russian occupation of Crimea. Sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don (Russia) on November 24, 2022, for alleged involvement in Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is legal in Ukraine, but outlawed in Russia.
2021
78. Vladyslav Yesypenko, a Radio Liberty journalist detained by Russia in Simferopol on March 10, 2021. The journalist was "charged" with collecting intelligence "for Ukraine's special services," including the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine. On February 16, 2022, the Russia-backed Simferopol District Court sentenced him to six years in prison for alleged illegal storage and transportation of an explosive device.
79. Asan Akhtemov, Crimean Tatar citizen journalist unlawfully imprisoned in Russia. He was detained by Russian police in Crimea in September 2021 along with several other journalists. Akhtemov is one of the 16 Crimean Tatar journalists imprisoned by Russia on sham charges of terrorism or involvement in outlawed organizations.
2022
80. Dmytro Khyliuk, a UNIAN journalist kidnapped by Russian troops in Kozarovychi on March 3, 2022, during the occupation of Kyiv oblast. He is detained in the penal colony No. 7 in Pakino (Vladimir region, Russia). The Russian Ministry of Defense does not explicitly call him a prisoner of war, but cited the Third Geneva Convention, which specifically concerns POW treatment, in response to his father's query.
81. Oleh Baturin, journalist for Novyi Den. Kidnapped by collaborators in Kakhovka on March 12, 2022. While detained, Oleh was handcuffed to a heating battery, interrogated, threatened, beaten, and unlawfully held captive for a week. He was released on March 20.
82. Vilen Temeryanov, citizen journalist, correspondent with Crimean Solidarity and Grani.ru. Detained in 2022 and charged with involvement in Hizb ut-Tahrir and preparing sabotage operations in Crimea on the orders of Ukraine's intelligence services. Unlawfully moved to a prison away from temporarily occupied Crimea in 2023. The journalist's eyesight declined sharply in the prison. In 2023, Vilen Temeryanov also complained of regular stomachaches, which he believed were due to poor diet and lack of physical movement in the prison.
83. Svitlana Zalizetska, director of Holovna Hazeta Meliropolya and the RIA-Melitopol website. On March 23, 2022, Russian occupiers took hostage her father in Melitopol (Zaporizhzhia oblast). They demanded that Svitlana return to the city, releasing her father when she disavowed her media outlet.
84. Yulia Olkhovska, journalist with Melitopolski Vidomosti (Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia oblast). She was detained by armed occupiers on March 21, 2022, along with other journalists of her media outlet and taken to an unknown destination. She was released after a talk about the necessity of cooperation.
85. Lyubov Chayka, journalist with Melitopolski Vidomosti (Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia oblast). She was detained by armed occupiers on March 21, 2022, along with other journalists of her media outlet and taken to an unknown destination. She was released after a talk about the necessity of cooperation.
86. Mykhailo Kumok, publisher of Melitopolski Vidomosti (Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia oblast). He was detained by armed occupiers on March 21, 2022, along with other journalists of the media outlet and taken to an unknown destination. He was released after a talk about the necessity of cooperation.
87. Yevhenia Boryan, editor for Melitopolski Vidomosti (Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia oblast). She was detained by armed occupiers on March 21, 2022, along with other journalists of her media outlet and taken to an unknown destination. She was released after a talk about the necessity of cooperation.
88. Iryna Dubchenko, UNIAN correspondent in Zaporizhzhia. Detained by occupiers in late March 2022 in Rozivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast), where she was tending to her elderly grandmother, and taken to Donetsk. She was accused of supporting and hiding Ukrainian soldiers. Dubchenko was released in April 2022.
89. Oleksandr Hunko, editor for the online news outlet Nova Kakhovka City. Detained on April 3, 2022 and taken to an unknown destination. Earlier, the journalist's apartment was searched. Several hours before the armed Russians arrived, Nova Kakhovka City posted a report on the occupiers' forcible crackdown of a peaceful rally in Kakhovka. Hunko was released on April 6. Later, Russian propagandists published an "interview" with him, which they called a "prophylactic conversation".
90. Iryna Danylovych, a Radio Liberty journalist detained by Russian police in occupied Crimea on April 29, 2022. In December 2022 she was sentenced to seven years in prison for alleged storage of an explosive device. She has been moved to a prison in Russia.
91. Oleksiy Vorontsov, Suspilne Kherson engineer. Kidnapped from his own home on May 16, 2022. Released on May 21.
92. Olena Naumova, TikTok blogger. Detained on August 23, 2022 for patriotic posts. A "prophylactic" video of her forced to apologize to the occupiers was posted online. Later, she was released.
93. Zhanna Kyselyova, editor for Kakhovska Zorya. Kidnapped by armed soldiers from her own apartment on September 19, 2022. She came home on October 2, 2022.
94. Valeriy Komahorov, TikTok blogger from koshmarik_olegivna29. Detained in September 2023 for criticising occupiers and supporting Ukraine on social media. The occupiers forced him to make a public apology and released him.
95. Olehivna29, TikTok blogger from koshmarik_olegivna29. Detained in September 2023 for criticising occupiers and supporting Ukraine on social media. The occupiers forced her to make a public apology and released her.
96. Angela Slobodyan, journalist formerly with BC Ukraina. Kidnapped in the summer of 2022. Spent about a month in a temporary detention center in Kherson, which the Russians had repurposed as a torture facility. She reported abuse and torture of Ukrainian POWs.
97. Anatoliy Harahatyi, journalist, videoblogger from Savyntsi, Kharkiv oblast. Detained on May 28, 2022, and imprisoned for over three months. His apartment was searched and his filming equipment was seized. He was accused of helping the Ukrainian army locate targets. On March 2, 2022 he had filmed a tank convoy entering Savyntsi and posted the video on social media. He was held in cell No. 3 at the Balakliya police detention center, and tortured with an electroshocker. Harahatyi was released on September 4, 2022, two days before the liberation of Balakliya. The Russians threatened to kill the blogger if he ever picks up the camera again.
98. Yulia Rybalka, former spokeswoman for the LLC Luhansk Energy Association. Kidnapped by "LPR" militants in the fall of 2022 and accused of "leaking data to Ukrainian Armed Forces for target location." The occupiers threaten to imprison Rybalka for 20 years.
99. Yevhen Ilchenko, administrator of the Telegram channel @Mitopol (Melitopol). Reported on the life under occupation. Detained by the Russians in the summer of 2022, is likely in a high security prison in Taganrog (Russia).
2023
100. Heorhiy Levchenko, the Telegram channel administrator for the local news outlet RIA Melitopol, kidnapped by Russia on August 20, 2023. On October 27, 2023, the FSB charged the journalist with sharing data on Russian soldiers with Ukrainian special services.
101. Victoria Roshchyna, Ukrainian journalist who worked with Hromadske, Ukrainian Pravda, Radio Liberty, Hromadske Radio, Suspilne Broadcasting, and Censor.NET. Went missing in the temporarily occupied territories on August 3, 2023. Victoria was imprisoned in Russia. Her death in Russian custody was reported on October 10, 2024.
102. Oleksandr Malyshev, a Ukrainian journalist captured by Russia on August 20, 2023. He was detained along with the administrators of several other Telegram channels such as RIA Melitopol and Melitopol Is Ukraine. The occupiers charged them with terrorism, high treason, and espionage.
103. Heorhiy Levchenko, the Telegram channel administrator for the local news outlet RIA Melitopol, kidnapped by Russia on August 20, 2023. On October 27, 2023, the FSB charged the journalist with sharing data on Russian soldiers with Ukrainian special services.
104. Maksym Rupchov, one of the Telegram channel administrators for RIA Melitopol and Melitopol Is Ukraine, which reported on the life in temporarily occupied Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia oblast. He and his colleagues were detained on August 20, 2023.
105. Yana Suvorova, author of the Telegram channel Melitopol Is Ukraine, which reported local news while under occupation, kidnapped by the Russians on August 20, 2023. Charged by the FSB of "intentions to participate in sabotage operations" in Zaporizhzhia oblast together with Ukrainian military intelligence agents.
106. Mark Kaliush, one of the Telegram channel administrators with RIA Melitopol and Melitopol Is Ukraine who were detained by the Russians in Melitopol on August 20, 2023. Charged with terrorism, espionage, and working with Ukrainian special services along with the other administrators.
107. Kostyantyn Zynovkin, one of the Telegram channel administrators with RIA Melitopol and Melitopol Is Ukraine. Detained by the Russians in temporarily occupied Melitopol in early May 2023. Charged with terrorism and other crimes, including public calls for acts of terrorism, high treason, and espionage.
108. Anastasia Hlukhovska, RIA Melitopol journalist. Detained by Russia on August 20, 2023. First held captive in a Melitopol hardware store which the Russians had turned into a makeshift prison. Charged with "terrorism". Remains in detention in Rostov, Russia.
109. Vladyslav Hershon, author of the Telegram channel Melitopol Is Ukraine, which reported local news while under occupation. Kidnapped by the Russians on August 20, 2023. Charged by the FSB of "intentions to participate in sabotage operations" in Zaporizhzhia oblast together with Ukrainian military intelligence agents.
2024
110. Rustem Osmanov, Crimean Tatar citizen journalist and activist, detained in Crimea on March 5, 2024, during a wave of searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars. Arrested on charges of involvement in a terrorist organisation by the Russa-backed Kyiv District Court of Simferopol; his PTDC term was later extended to November 4, 2024.
111. Aziz Azizov, Crimean Tatar citizen journalist and Crimean Solidarity correspondent. Detained in Bağçasaray on March 5, 2024, and arrested until May 4. The court later extended his PTDC term to November 4, 2024. Charged with involvement in a terrorist organisation.
112. Hennadiy Osmak, journalist and chief editor for the online news outlet Novyi Vizyt (Henichesk, Kherson oblast). Kidnapped by Russians in occupied Henichesk in early March 2024. Is being prosecuted for "Involvement in an illegal military group". The Novyi Vizyt website shut down after Russia's full-scale invasion; Osmak has said he no longer had ties with the media outlet.
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