Russia’s war on media: over 760 attacks on journalists since invasion
Source: Institute for Mass Information
Since the full-scale invasion began in February,2024, Russian troops have carried out 762 documented crimes against journalists and media outlets, according to the Institute for Mass Information (IMI).
The war also made at least 329 Ukrainian media outlets shut down their operations, and only 52 of them have managed to reopen.
Over October and November, Russia ramped up its attacks on the media workers. Here’s a look at some of the latest incidents:
- Drone Strikes on Broadcasting: Russian drones struck a TV tower in Lozova, Kharkiv region, disrupting national broadcasting services.
- Media Closures: In Dnipro, the media holding “Vidkrytyi” suspended operations, saying they will resume only after the war is over.
- Targeting Foreign Journalists: Russian authorities issued an arrest warrant for Romanian journalist Mircea Barbu, accusing him of illegal border crossing and filming in Russia’s Kursk region.
- Cyber Assaults: Russian-linked hackers launched attacks on such outlets as Detector Media and Zaporizhzhia-based inform.zp.ua. Both organizations regularly report on Russian war crimes.
The conflict has also claimed the lives of 91 media professionals in Ukraine, with 12 killed while reporting from the frontlines.
On October 18, Ukrainian serviceman, journalist, and human rights defender Maksym Butkevych returned to Ukraine as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia. He became the second Ukrainian journalist freed from Russian captivity in 2024.
On October 6, the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court of Ukraine continued hearing case No. 990/80/25, in which the fifth President and leader of the party “European Solidarity”, Petro Poroshenko, seeks to have Presidential Decree No. 81/2025 from February 12, 2025 — enacting sanctions by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) — declared illegal and annulled. The plaintiff claims the document was falsified and that the sanctions are a tool of political persecution of the opposition, contrary to international norms. Government representatives deny the allegations and insist their actions were lawful. Journalists of Bukvy were present at the hearing.
Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group has completed the construction of an upgraded underground NATO Role 2 hospital in one of the hottest sectors of the frontline. This is the second stabilization point established under the Steel Front initiative in cooperation with the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new facility, funded by Metinvest with an investment of UAH 21 million, is more secure than the first one thanks to its deeper location underground (over 6 meters) and additional fortifications.
Five armored vehicles “Kozak” have received a new mission – thanks to the support of Metinvest, they have been upgraded to full-fledged command and staff vehicles. These upgraded vehicles are now operating on the front line.
A kamikaze drone flies directly toward an armored personnel carrier. But instead of penetrating the hull, it explodes on a steel screen. The crew survives. This is the new reality for Ukrainian forces, who have received enhanced protection thanks to the Metinvest project within “Steel Front of Rinat Akhmetov”.
To commemorate the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, “Bukvy” has compiled data on the largest donors supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Among them there are charitable foundations and businesses. The list includes, in particular, foundations that provide assistance exclusively from their own resources, without fundraising (such as SCM by Rinat Akhmetov, Epicenter, etc.).