Legal framework and justice system

Kidnapped by Russian troops on 5 March, Nikita (his name is changed for his safety) was held for nine days.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Russian forces have deliberately fired on at least eight journalists or media crews.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the 19-year prison sentence that Crimean journalist Remzi Bekirov has received from a Russian military tribunal on a trumped-up terrorism charge and calls for his immediate release.

Several media crews have already come under fire and four reporters have sustained gunshot injuries in Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion less than two weeks ago.