Journalism has always been a dangerous job in conflict zones. Reporters risk their lives to uncover the truth. But in Ukraine, the stakes have reached an unimaginable level.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, journalists have been systematically hunted, detained, tortured, and even killed. Their crime? Exposing the realities of a brutal war and its human cost.
The Russian military doesn’t just target strategic locations or infrastructure. It goes after people. The first step when occupying a territory often involves identifying "undesirables."
Activists, volunteers, and journalists are at the top of that list. In some cases, soldiers arrive with prepared names, knowing exactly who to arrest, according to Pravda.
Family Recieved One Short Note
One of these journalists is Dmytro Khyliuk, who worked for the independent agency UNIAN. On March 3, 2022, Russian troops stormed his home in Kyiv Oblast.
They blindfolded and detained him, eventually sending him to a detention center in Russia. His family received only a short note from him: “Dear Mum and Dad, I’m alive.”
Despite his name appearing on prisoner exchange lists, Dmytro remains in captivity.
Vladyslav Yesypenko, who reported on environmental issues in Crimea, suffered a similar fate. Accused of espionage, he was tortured and forced to confess to crimes he didn’t commit.
Even from his cell, Vlad continued to write. He documented his experiences, preserving the truth from behind bars.
For others, like Anastasiia Hlukhovska from Melitopol, their fate is even more uncertain. Abducted from her home, Anastasiia disappeared into the Russian prison system. Her family knows little about where she is or if she’s alive.
According to Ukraine’s Institute of Mass Information, at least 30 journalists are still held in Russian captivity. Many endure horrific conditions — starvation, isolation, and physical abuse.
International laws forbid the detention of civilians, including reporters. But Russia has ignored these rules for years. Advocacy groups are pushing for global pressure to free these journalists.
For now, their voices are silenced. Their work, however, speaks volumes. Even in captivity, they continue to expose the darkness they were taken for documenting.
