Institute of Mass Information (IMI)

Russian invaders distributed a clone of “Ridne Prybuzhzhia” in Mykolaiv oblast to promote a pseudo-referendum on the accession of Kherson oblast and Snigurivka, Mykolayiv oblast, to Russia.

One of those abducted is Olena Naumova, a Kherson kindergarten teacher and TikTok blogger who had been kidnapped by the Russian military on 23 August and released on 6 September. Her son says she disappeared again on 19 September.

In the first six months of the war in Ukraine, Russian forces have killed a total of 37 journalists, eight of whom died in the course of their work. Another fourteen have been injured and four are considered missing.

As of 24 July, the Russian military have killed a total of 36 journalists in Ukraine, 8 while they were reporting. Fourteen journalists have been injured and four are missing.

After dousing the Russian ambassador in fake blood during a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Iryna Zemlyana was doxxed on Russian Telegram channels and received several threats to rape and kill her.

According to the Institute of Mass Information, as of April 24, seven journalists had been killed while carrying out their professional duty, nine had been injured, and at least 15 were missing.

As of 24 March, five journalists had been killed, one had gone missing and at least six had been kidnapped. Approximately 70 regional media outlets had also been forced to shut down as a result of Russia’s offensive against Ukraine.

The Lviv Press Freedom Centre aims to be a reception and distribution hub for protective equipment for journalists, particularly bulletproof vests and helmets. This physical and digital centre will also provide resources to journalists seeking financial or psychological assistance.