Kremlin Against the Press: 'Reporters Without Borders' Filed a Complaint with the ICC Over the Deportation of 19 Ukrainian Journalists.

19 Ukrainian journalists were detained and deported to Russian territory and occupied areas of Ukraine against their will. The organization 'Reporters Without Borders' considers these actions a war crime and has appealed to the International Criminal Court and the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine.

'Russian occupation forces are hunting independent Ukrainian journalists, arresting them, and partially deporting them to their territory. 18 of them are still in custody, and one has gone missing. Being imprisoned by Russia means risking your life,' said Antoine Bernard, Director of Advocacy and Support at RSF.

RSF has filed nine complaints against Russia with the International Criminal Court and the Ukrainian Prosecutor's Office over the past three years to hold those responsible for war crimes against journalists accountable. These complaints have facilitated the initiation of 14 investigations by the Ukrainian Prosecutor's Office, and RSF calls for continued investigations and punishment of the guilty parties.

All 19 detained journalists have been transferred from places of detention to occupied territories or to Russia. 14 of them are currently in custody in Russia.

On February 20, 2025, RSF held a protest action in Paris, demanding the release of journalists who are held under inhumane conditions in Russia and in the occupied territories of Ukraine. The detained journalists suffer from a lack of medical assistance, are isolated, and in some cases are forced to work.

During the action, RSF appealed to the Kremlin for information about the fate of Victoria Roshchina, a Ukrainian journalist whom the Russian authorities declared dead in custody. Moscow refuses to provide explanations or any information about the journalist's body.

According to the World Press Freedom Index 2024, Ukraine ranks 61st, while Russia is in 162nd place.