Russia Detains Journalist Svetlana Khustik on “Fake News” Charges

October 01, 2025 – Russia – 

Russian authorities detained Svetlana Khustik, a freelance journalist in Krasnoyarsk, accusing her of circulating “fake” information about Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A local court ordered she be held in custody for two months during the investigation, and she faces potential prison time under Part 2 of Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code—with a maximum sentence of up to ten years.

The charges are based on an interview she published in May 2023, which Russian authorities claim included false descriptions of the activities of the Russian military. According to official statements, she received 64,000 rubles (about US$775) for interviewing an outlet designated by the government as a “foreign agent.” That outlet was identified by the Russian news agency TASS as Sibir. Realii, linked to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Siberian branch.

In response to her detention, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged Russian authorities to drop all charges and free Khustik immediately, calling the prosecution a clear warning to independent journalists in Russia. Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, said the case exemplifies how Russia is willing to imprison reporters for their work.

Khustik’s journalism has covered environmental, cultural, and social issues for independent platforms such as Takie Dela and Kedr. Her case forms part of a larger trend in Russian governance, where authorities have increasingly used broad “fake news” provisions (stemming from laws passed since 2022) to suppress dissenting voices and criminalize news reporting critical of state actions.

With no immediate resolution in sight, Khustik’s arrest underscores a chilling environment for press freedom in Russia, especially for journalists who seek to cover the war in Ukraine or challenge the official narrative.

Reference – 

Russia detains journalist Svetlana Khustik for ‘fake’ news about Ukraine war