List of journalists held in russian captivity (updateable)

Photo: The action Empty Chairs on Sofiiska Ploshcha Square in Kyiv in support of civilian hostages on November 15, 2024. Photo by NUJU

According to verified data of NUJU, as of January 14, 2025, at least 30 civilian media workers are held in russian captivity; russia also holds at least one media representative from those who mobilized to defend Ukraine in the ranks of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.

“Russia continues to grossly violate international humanitarian law by illegally holding Ukrainian journalists captive,” emphasizes the President of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU), Sergiy Tomilenko. “This is a war crime for which the aggressor must be punished. Our colleagues are held captive solely because of their professional activities – they were fulfilling their duty, informing the world about russian aggression against Ukraine. The NUJU calls on the international community to increase pressure on the russian federation for the immediate release of all imprisoned media representatives. Every day in russian captivity is a day of torture and inhuman treatment of our colleagues. At least one Ukrainian journalist – Victoria Roshchina – did not survive this torture and died in captivity.”

The NUJU also calls on the Ukrainian authorities to activate all possible diplomatic mechanisms and negotiation processes to free Ukrainian journalists. We must use every opportunity to save them and involve international organizations and platforms.

Russia must understand that punishment for crimes against media workers is inevitable. We will not stop fighting for the freedom of our colleagues!

Ukrainian civilian journalists held captive by the russian federation (list is being updated):

Oleksii Bessarabov, a Ukrainian journalist and political analyst, a former serviceman of the Ukrainian Navy who lived in Sevastopol, worked as a correspondent for the Hlavred publication and collaborated with the Nomos analytical center. He also was a deputy editor-in-chief of the magazine Chornomorska Bezpeka. Oleksiy was detained by the FSB on November 9, 2016, on charges of sabotage and terrorist activities. He was subjected to electric torture. On April 4, 2019, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison in a highest-security colony on a clearly falsified case.
Volodymyr Dudka, a former Ukrainian military sailor, safety engineer, and political analyst, collaborated with the magazine Chornomorska Bezpeka. He was detained by the FSB on November 9, 2016, on charges of sabotage and terrorist activities. He was subjected to electric torture. On April 4, 2019, he was sentenced to 14 years in a highest-security colony for an obviously falsified case.
Dmytro Shtyblykov, a Ukrainian journalist, reserve officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, head of international programs of the Nomos analytical center, deputy editor-in-chief of the magazine Chornomorska Bezpeka. He was detained by the FSB on November 9, 2016, on charges of sabotage and terrorist activities. In May 2017, under duress and threats against family members, he entered into a pre-trial agreement, pleading “guilty.” On November 16, 2017, he was sentenced to 5 years in a highest-security colony. On November 8, 2021, when he was supposed to be released, he was arrested on charges of “high treason” and remanded in custody.
Ernes Ametov, a citizen journalist, actively covered human rights violations in occupied Crimea. He was arrested on October 11, 2017, on charges of participating in the Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, considered a “terrorist” organization in russia. On September 16, 2020, he was acquitted, but the appeals court overturned the acquittal on March 14, 2022. On December 29, 2022, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Marlen Asanov (Suleiman), a photographer, popularizer of Crimean Tatar culture, and citizen journalist, actively covered searches and trials. He was arrested on October 11, 2017, on charges of participating in the Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, considered a “terrorist” organization in russia. He was sentenced to 19 years in a maximum-security prison. Due to the conditions of detention and the long stay in the penal colony, he often falls ill.
Timur Ibragimov, a citizen journalist, actively covered human rights violations in the occupied Crimea. He was arrested on October 11, 2017, on charges of participation in the Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, considered a terrorist organization in russia. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison in a highest-security colony. He has a third group of disability, and he has an eye implant that has long been due for replacement.
Seyran Saliyev, a citizen journalist, actively covered searches and trials. He was arrested on October 11, 2017, on charges of participation in the Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, considered a terrorist organization in russia. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison in a highest-security colony.
Server Mustafayev, a human rights activist, one of the organizers and coordinators of Crimean Solidarity, citizen journalist, conducted systematic monitoring of the situation in Crimea and covered the media politically motivated trials. He was arrested on May 21, 2018, on charges of participating in the Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, considered a terrorist organization in russia. He was sentenced to 14 years in a highest-security colony. He also filed a number of lawsuits about the seizure of his Quran and personal belongings, the lack of adequate medical care, and other violations by the management of “correctional” institutions.
Ruslan Suleymanov, a citizen journalist, covered human rights violations in the occupied Crimea. He was arrested on March 27, 2019, on charges of participating in the Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, considered a terrorist organization in russia. He was sentenced to 14 years in a highest-security colony.
Rustem Sheykhaliyev, a citizen journalist, covered human rights violations in occupied Crimea, primarily “trials.” He was arrested on March 27, 2019, on charges of participating in the Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, considered a terrorist organization in russia. Despite serious illnesses (chronic pyelonephritis, prolapse of the right kidney, varicose veins in the legs), he was sentenced to 14 years in prison in a highest-security colony.
Remzi Bekirov, a citizen journalist and correspondent for “Grani.ru,” covered high-profile cases against Crimean Tatars in occupied Crimea. He was arrested on March 28, 2019, on charges of participating in the Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, considered a terrorist organization in russia. He was sentenced to 19 years in prison in a highest-security colony.
Osman Arifmemetov, a writer, winner of literary competitions, and citizen journalist, actively covered searches and trials and helped make programs in pre-trial detention centers for unjustly convicted Crimean Tatars. He was arrested on March 28, 2019, on charges of participating in the Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, considered a terrorist organization in russia. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison in a highest-security colony.
Vladislav Yesypenko, journalist of the Krym.Realii project of Radio Liberty. He was arrested on March 10, 2021, after filming the laying of flowers at the monument to Taras Shevchenko in Simferopol the day before; for a month, relatives did not know what happened to him. Initially accused of espionage and later of storing and transporting an explosive device. He was subjected to electric shock torture and death threats. He was sentenced to 5 years in a general-regime colony. The case of Vladislav Yesypenko essentially became a “methodology” for fabricating cases against other journalists. Winner of the 2022 Ihor Lubchenko National Prize for the Protection of Freedom of Speech.
Amet Suleymanov, a citizen journalist, covered human rights violations in the occupied Crimea. He was arrested on March 12, 2020, on charges of participating in the Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, considered a terrorist organization in russia. Despite serious heart disease (doctors recommended replacing the mitral valve), he was sentenced to 12 years in a maximum-regime colony. He was under house arrest, and after the sentence came into effect (from April 5, 2023) – in prison. He is being held in conditions that contribute to the exacerbation of his illness.
Asan Akhtemov, a Crimean journalist, correspondent, and assistant editor of the newspaper Avdet. He was detained on September 3, 2021, on charges of blowing up a section of a gas pipeline near Simferopol. He was subjected to torture and psychological pressure from FSB officers. Despite the obvious falsification of “evidence,” he was sentenced to 13 years in prison in a highest-security colony.
Dmytro Khyliuk, a UNIAN news agency journalist, was captured by russian military personnel on March 3, 2022, in his parents’ house in the village of Kozarovychi, Vyshhorod District, Kyiv Region. No official charges have been brought against him. According to an investigation by Reporters Without Borders, as of July 2023, he was being held in a correctional facility in the Vladimir region of the russian federation.
Serhii Tsyhipa, a public figure and journalist from Nova Kakhovka, who was detained on March 12, 2022, and sentenced to 13 years in prison on charges of espionage by the decision of the occupation Simferopol “court” on October 6, 2023. On February 14, 2024, the appeals “court” upheld this sentence.
Iryna Danylovych, a Crimean nurse, trade union and public activist, and citizen journalist of the Crimean Process. She was kidnapped in Koktebel on April 29, 2022, held in a basement, tortured and intimidated. She was accused of manufacturing and storing an improvised explosive device. She was sentenced to 7 years in prison. Her health deteriorated significantly in prison; she is losing her hearing and suffered a stroke. Due to the lack of medical care, she went on a hunger strike.
Yevhen Ilchenko, an administrator of the Melitopol Telegram channel Milyi Topol, was detained on July 10, 2022, and deported to russia.
Vilen Temeryanov, a citizen journalist and later a journalist for the publication ru, actively covered human rights violations in the occupied Crimea. He was arrested on August 11, 2022, for participating in the Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, considered a terrorist organization in russia. In conditions of imprisonment, he was subjected to forced psychiatric examination; in addition, the journalist’s eyesight deteriorated sharply. As of April 2024, the verdict has not yet been passed.
Heorhii Levchenko, an administrator of the Telegram channel RIA Melitopol, was arrested by the FSB in Melitopol on August 1, 2023, as a “Ukrainian terrorist,” which was recorded in a russian propaganda video. The journalist is being held in Mariupol.
Anastasiya Hlukhovska, before the full-scale invasion – a journalist for the publication RIA Melitopol, was arrested by the FSB in Melitopol on August 1, 2023, which was recorded in a russian propaganda video. Her whereabouts are still unknown.
Vladislav Hershon, an administrator of the chat room Melitopol is Ukraine, was detained on August 1, 2023. His relatives were informed about his detention two and a half months later.
Yana Suvorova, an administrator of the Telegram channel Melitopol is Ukraine. He was detained by the russian occupiers on August 1, 2023, in Melitopol. Together with other administrators, he was accused of terrorism, espionage, and cooperation with Ukrainian special services. His whereabouts are still unknown.
Oleksandr Malyshev, an administrator of the Telegram channel Melitopol is Ukraine. He was detained by the russian occupiers on August 1, 2023, in Melitopol. Together with other administrators, he was accused of terrorism, espionage, and cooperation with Ukrainian special services. It is unknown where he is being held.
Maksym Rupchev, an administrator of the Telegram channel Melitopol is Ukraine. He was detained by the russian occupiers on August 1, 2023, in Melitopol. Together with other administrators, he was accused of terrorism, espionage, and cooperation with Ukrainian special services. It is unknown where he is being held.
Mark Kaliush, an administrator of the Telegram channel Melitopol is Ukraine. He was detained by the russian occupiers on August 1, 2023, in Melitopol. Together with other administrators, he was accused of terrorism, espionage, and cooperation with Ukrainian special services. It is unknown where he is being held.
Rustem Osmanov, a citizen journalist, covered human rights violations in the occupied Crimea. He was arrested on March 5, 2024, on charges of participating in the Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, considered a terrorist organization in russia. The russian Kyivskyi District Court of Simferopol has chosen a preventive measure of detention for him for two months.
Aziz Azizov, a citizen journalist, covered human rights violations in the occupied Crimea. He was arrested on March 5, 2024, on charges of participating in the Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, considered a terrorist organization in russia. The russian Kyivskyi District Court of Simferopol has chosen a preventive measure of detention for him for two months.
Hennadii Osmak, a journalist from Henichesk, former editor-in-chief of the publication New Visit. On March 12, 2022, he announced his termination from working in the media. On March 7, 2024, it became known about his detention for “participation in an illegal military group” (“popularization of the terrorist battalion named after Noman Chelebidzhikhan”). He faces 15 years in prison.

There is also information about a journalist who was captured while serving in the ranks of the Defense Forces of Ukraine:

Vasyl Filimon, a cameraman of the Mykolayiv branch of the Public Broadcasting Service, was drafted into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On May 15, 2022, he was captured by the military occupation forces of the russian federation while performing a combat mission in the Donetsk Region.