We must return Ukrainian journalists still imprisoned in Russia

On Empty Chair Day, Ukraine has renewed attention on journalists and media workers imprisoned by Russia, arguing that they must be returned and their cases kept visible. The campaign, established by PEN International and held in Ukraine since 2018, highlights people detained, held captive or missing because of their work or beliefs.

The number of Ukrainian media workers in Russian captivity remains uncertain: the Institute of Mass Information reports at least 27 unlawfully detained, including 17 from occupied Crimea; the Crimean Tatar Resource Center counts 20 Crimean journalists behind bars; and a Ukrainian official cites 45 journalists and media activists, with 33 cases confirmed and seven people listed as missing. The article attributes the discrepancies to Russia’s restricted access to detainees, alleged concealment of detention sites and failure to follow international safeguards, including its withdrawal from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture.