News - MIHR

Enforced disappearances

“15 years of imprisonment for him is a death sentence.” Where the Russians are holding and why they are prosecuting Serhiy Kotov, a driving instructor from Oleshky

Driving instructor Serhiy Kotov was one of those taken by the Russian military from his home in Oleshky, on the left bank of Kherson region. For more than two years, the Russians have been holding him captive, and recently "sentenced" him to 15 years in prison, allegedly for espionage.

13 June 2024

Prisoners of war

The war that destroyed everything: the story of the struggle of Azov brothers

Oleh and Vitaliy Lobovs, twins, both served in the Azov brigade. From the first days of the full-scale invasion, they defended Mariupol. In April 2022, the group, which included the brothers, made a breakthrough to Azovstal and came under fire. Vitaliy Lobov was killed, and Oleh was wounded, reached the metallurgical plant, and a month later, was taken prisoner.

11 June 2024

“I am Ready to Fight Tooth and Nail to Bring Him Back”. How Anastasiia Hondiul is Fighting for the Release of Her Husband, an Azov Brigade Fighter, from Captivity

On the night of July 28 to 29, 2022, explosions occurred in a barrack within the Volnovakha Correctional Colony No. 120, more commonly known as Olenivka. There were nearly 200 Azov fighters inside. Over 50 of them were killed, and more than a hundred sustained severe wounds. Artem Hondiul was among them.

31 May 2024

Over 30 missing Ukrainian media workers: violence, humiliation, and obscurity in occupation

In the occupied territories of Ukraine, Russia systematically persecutes journalists. As of today, MIHR knows of 31 Ukrainian media workers held captive by Russia. Among them are those abducted back in 2014, as well as those captured during the full-scale invasion. According to the Institute of Mass Information, as of May 8, 2024, due to Russian aggression, 80 media workers have died, 10 of whom while in the line of duty. In many cases, the fate of Ukrainian media workers captured by Russia remains unknown.

30 May 2024

Finding missing persons and bringing home POWs: relatives of the 57th Brigade soldiers speak out

The Media Initiative for Human Rights organized a discussion on missing soldiers. The discussion was attended by […]

29 May 2024

War and justice

We call on the Verkhovna Rada not to adopt draft law № 7033-d, which limits access to court decisions

On May 2, 2024, the Parliamentary Legal Committee reviewed and endorsed draft law No. 7033-д for parliamentary consideration. This draft law limits access to information and decisions within the register of court decisions, which hold substantial public interest and are crucial for public oversight of law enforcement activities. The proposed changes undermine the principles of a democratic society and contradict Ukraine’s commitments to European integration.

16 May 2024