ARTICLE 19 thanks the Commission of Inquiry for their report and their vital efforts in ensuring accountability for Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. As we pass the four-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion, ARTICLE 19 takes the opportunity to honour the journalists, human rights defenders, and civilians whose lives have been taken.
In Ukraine, journalists and human rights defenders continue to risk their lives to report on the realities of the full-scale invasion. In 2025, Russian crimes against media professionals included attempted assassinations, shelling and drone strikes, injuries, threats, and intimidation. The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine reports that at least 143 media workers have been killed since the start of the full-scale invasion, while dozens remain in captivity.
Russia has also intensified its digital repression against the media. In 2025, Ukrainian media outlets faced large-scale cyberattacks, hacking, and temporary takeovers of their websites alongside impersonation designed to undermine their credibility. These tactics are aimed not only at silencing independent reporting but also at eroding public trust in credible sources of information.
Russia’s assault on the right to freedom of expression and media freedom is not taking place in isolation but is precisely aimed to enable its ongoing aggression. During armed conflicts, free expression and access to reliable information is a survival right, a lifeline for people trapped in unimaginable violence.
We reaffirm our steadfast support for Ukraine and its fight for sovereignty, independence, and fundamental freedoms in the face of continued aggression. We express our full support for the Commission of Inquiry to continue their work in ensuring Russia is held accountable for the grave and harrowing crimes it continues to commit. Any credible path toward sustainable peace must include redress for victims and reparations.
Warning: The Russian authorities designated ARTICLE 19 as an ‘undesirable organisation’ on 8 February 2024. While the ‘undesirable’ designation can be seen as a marker of recognition of ARTICLE 19’s work to promote freedom of expression, we understand that it also carries significant risks for those who engage with our work. Under Russian legislation, an ill-defined and overbroad notion of ‘participation in the activities of an undesirable organisation’ incurs the risk of administrative and criminal prosecution. We also understand that sharing and storing this statement in Russia can be considered a prosecutable offence and may lead to the imposition of fines and other sanctions.