Ukrainian Journalists Report Torture and Abuse for Resisting Russian Propaganda

December 13, 2025 – Ukraine/Russia – 

Ukrainian journalists detained in Russian-occupied territories have been subjected to torture, intimidation, and psychological abuse for refusing to cooperate with Kremlin-backed propaganda efforts, according to new reporting that sheds light on the growing dangers faced by media workers in the war.

Journalists who survived detention described being targeted specifically for their professional work, particularly for continuing to report independently or declining to participate in pro-Russian information campaigns. Several said they were accused of spreading “anti-Russian narratives” and treated as security threats rather than civilians protected under international law.

Former detainees recounted harsh interrogation methods, including beatings, electric shocks, mock executions, and prolonged isolation. Some said interrogators demanded that they confess to espionage or agree to produce content favorable to Russian authorities. Refusal often led to further abuse. Others were pressured to hand over sources, passwords, and unpublished material, placing entire journalistic networks at risk.

Media workers described being held in unofficial detention centers, basements, and makeshift prisons, where access to lawyers, family members, or independent medical care was denied. In several cases, journalists said they were forced to listen to propaganda broadcasts for hours as part of what captors described as “re-education.”

Ukrainian press-freedom organizations warn that these practices form part of a broader strategy to eliminate independent reporting in occupied areas. By silencing journalists and replacing them with state-controlled messaging, occupying forces aim to dominate the information space and suppress documentation of alleged abuses against civilians.

International humanitarian law explicitly protects journalists as civilians during armed conflict, and torture is prohibited under all circumstances. Rights groups argue that the treatment described by Ukrainian journalists could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, particularly when abuse is systematic and directed at silencing free expression.

Despite the risks, many journalists continue their work, often from exile or underground. Some who escaped detention have resumed reporting, driven by a determination to document what is happening in occupied regions and to bear witness to abuses that might otherwise remain hidden.

Press-freedom advocates are calling on international bodies to intensify investigations into crimes against journalists in Ukraine and to pursue accountability through international courts. They stress that protecting journalists is not only a matter of individual safety but a crucial defense of truth itself.

As the war grinds on, the experiences of detained journalists underscore the high cost of resisting propaganda — and the resilience of those who refuse to surrender their role as witnesses to history.

Reference – 

https://tvpworld.com/90523594/ukrainian-journalists-face-torture-for-defying-russian-propaganda