Vinnytsia police have opened proceedings over the obstruction of lawful reporting (Article 171 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) faced by Vitaliy Pavlovskyi, a journalist with the local outlet 20 Khvylyn. Investigators have granted the media professional victim status in the case, says the Institute of Mass Information’s regional representative in Vinnytsia oblast.

The incident took place 12 September, on the grounds of the State Emergency Service (SES) HQ in Vinnytsia oblast. The journalist was carrying out an editorial assignment, looking into reports by readers about trees around the building being felled, a fountain removed, and large-scale construction being carried out.

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The journalist told IMI’s representative that he had identified himself right away upon entering the premises and showed his press ID. Having filmed the necessary material and completed his journalist work, Pavlovskyi intended to leave the place and repeatedly told SES staff so directly.

Despite this, he was not allowed to leave the grounds. He found the checkpoint gates and the main exit to be locked and an alternative exit blocked. The media professional said that SES staff effectively detained him inside by force without due process. The staff have said they were following orders from their superiors.

Pavlovskyi had to call the police to leave the premises. The team that responded to the call classified the staff members’ actions as obstruction of reporting and entered the information into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations.

The Vinnytsia Oblast National Police HQ explained to the IMI representative that since the individuals involved in the case are SES employees (part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs system), the case files would be forwarded to the State Bureau of Investigation’s regional office for investigation.

In August 2026, two Vinnytsia-based media outlets, Depytaty? and My Vinnychany, were sued over their reporting on a late servicemember’s business activity.