“Speak about those who are silenced:” NUJU demands release of all Ukrainian journalists imprisoned by russia

Russia systematically tortures, kills, and kidnaps Ukrainian journalists – at least 30 media workers are still in captivity, journalist Victoria Roshchina died under unclear circumstances, her body was returned with signs of violence. The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) calls on the international community to take immediate action to release all journalists who have been captured. This is stated in the Statement of Solidarity with Ukrainian Journalists Imprisoned by russia, which was adopted during the meeting of the NUJU Board on July 3, 2025, which was attended by over 50 journalists from all regions. “Russia remains the main enemy of Ukrainian journalism and freedom of speech,” said the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Freedom of Speech, Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, calling on the journalistic community to systematically work together to release the Kremlin hostages.

NUJU President Sergiy Tomilenko also stressed the urgent need to ensure access to verified information about the fate of journalists held captive in the newly occupied territories:

“We are dealing with a situation where more than ten journalists are being held in complete isolation, without proper access for lawyers and international monitoring missions. This creates the ground for torture, human rights violations, and impunity. We insist on international pressure that will allow us to provide access to the prisoners, confirm their status, and guarantee protection and contact with their families.

Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, who joined the meeting of the NUJU Board from an international event—the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly meeting, confirmed that the release of civilian journalists is the Committee’s top priority.

The story of Iryna Levchenko, who was arrested with her husband in May 2022, is striking. Oleksandr was released a year ago, but Iryna‘s whereabouts are still unknown.

“Iryna was the winner of the creative competition of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine. For us, this is a personal and difficult story,” Serhiy Tomilenko emphasized.

The NUJU calls on international human rights organizations, journalistic associations, and governments of democratic countries to:

• publicly demand the release of all Ukrainian journalists held in russian captivity;
• create international mechanisms for monitoring and recording crimes against journalists, in particular by involving independent experts and human rights missions in the occupied territories of Ukraine, investigate every fact of torture, illegal detention, and death of journalists;
• introduce personal sanctions against persons involved in repressions against media workers;
• intensify diplomatic efforts to return illegally imprisoned journalists home, put the issue of repression against Ukrainian journalists on the agenda of international organizations such as the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, and the International Criminal Court.

“Our duty is to speak out about those who have been silenced. Despite all the risks, only publicity, international solidarity and constant pressure give a chance to save the lives and freedom of journalists,” the NUJU’s Statement says.