Side event at the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference 2025: media freedom under Russia’s aggression in Ukraine

The side event “Targeting Truth: Media Freedom Under Russia’s Aggression in Ukraine” takes place on Tuesday, 7 October 2025, at 8:30-9:30 in the Krolewski room on the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference. It is organized by the Human Rights Centre ZMINA, Media Initiative for Human Rights, and Institute of Mass Information, with support of the UK Delegation to the OSCE, Human Rights House Foundation, and the Netherlands Helsinki Committee.

Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, media freedom has faced unprecedented threats: media infrastructure has become a direct target and journalists have been killed. According to the Institute of Mass Information, 15 media workers have been killed while reporting in Ukraine since 2014.

The situation is particularly dire in occupied territories, where the media face systematic persecution. Occupying authorities block access to independent information, prevent media outlets from operating, and target those who dare to report the truth through harassment, imprisonment, or even murder. At least 26 Ukrainian media workers are in Russian detention, according to ZMINA and the Institute of Mass Information. The deliberate isolation of these territories allows the aggressor to spread disinformation and conceal atrocities committed against the local population.

This side event will shed light on these abuses, share firsthand stories from journalists who endured persecution in the Russian captivity, and discuss the broader impact on human rights and freedom of expression. 

Key topics:

• Systematic attacks on media freedom across Ukraine as a direct consequence of Russia’s military aggression.
• Efforts of the Russian Federation to silence independent reporting since the occupation of Crimea in 2014.
• Escalation of media repression following the full-scale invasion of Russia in Ukraine starting from 2022.
• Personal testimonies from journalists who have endured Russian captivity.
• National and international mechanisms to defend journalists, protect media freedom, and pursue accountability for violations.

Speakers:

• Ms. Viktoria Nesterenko, Project Manager at Human Rights Centre ZMINA
• Ms. Lyubov Smachylo, Head of Analytical Department at Media Initiative for Human Rights
• Ms. Valentyna Troian, Representative of the Institute of Mass Information
• Mr. Vladyslav Yesypenko, Freelance Correspondent of Radio Liberty and political prisoner who served the full illegal term of detention in occupied Crimea (online)
• Mr. Dmytro Khyliuk, UNIAN Journalist and civilian detainee from the Kyiv region who spent 3.5 years in Russian captivity

Moderator: Ambassador Neil Holland, Head of UK Delegation to the OSCE

Contact: Tetiana Zhukova, Human Rights Centre ZMINA, tz@zmina.ua