On June 23, 2025, the media organization Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) announced the release of Ukrainian journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko from Russian detention after more than four years. Yesypenko, who was arrested on March 10, 2021, in Crimea—a region illegally annexed by Russia in 2014—faced severe allegations of espionage for Ukraine. Despite denying all charges, a court appointed by Russian authorities sentenced him to six years in prison in February 2022, later reducing his sentence to five years. Rights groups, including RFE/RL, labeled the charges as fabricated; Yesypenko was also accused of possessing explosives, for which prosecutors later conceded that no fingerprints connected him to the grenades found in his car.
Yesypenko, a dual citizen of Russia and Ukraine, testified during his trial that he endured torture, including electric shocks, to force a false confession. RFE/RL chief executive Stephen Capus remarked on the grave injustice of Yesypenko’s detainment, emphasizing that he suffered for diligently reporting on conditions within Russian-occupied Crimea. Capus also pointed to the psychological and physical torture Yesypenko faced, highlighting the broader implications of such treatment on media freedom.
Yesypenko’s release came shortly after RFE/RL correspondent Ihar Karnei was freed from a Belarusian prison. Karnei had been arrested in 2023 and sentenced to three years on dubious “extremism” charges. Capus expressed gratitude towards the US and Ukrainian governments for their efforts in securing Yesypenko’s freedom, marking it as a critical success against unjust detainment of journalists in the region. Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak recognized and appreciated the collaborative efforts that facilitated Yesypenko’s release.
The conditions for media freedom in Crimea have significantly worsened since Russia’s annexation, with a report from the Ukrainian human rights organization ZMINA stating that 88% of media outlets active prior to 2014 have halted operations by 2015. Yesypenko had previously been compiling footage for a report that showcased the lives of Crimean residents, demonstrating the detrimental impact of the annexation on local communities. His work resonates with a pattern of silencing dissent and crushing free press, which is furthered by Russia’s ongoing military actions.
The Russian government has intensified its crackdown on dissent since beginning its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In April of the same year, a Russian court convicted four journalists on “extremism” charges, sentencing them to over five years in prison despite their claims of innocence. This judicial repression underscores a broader narrative of targeted persecution against journalists who strive to report the truth in an increasingly oppressive atmosphere.
In summary, Vladyslav Yesypenko’s unjust imprisonment and subsequent release are emblematic of the challenges faced by journalists in occupied territories and repressive regimes. The grave violations committed against Yesypenko, coupled with the ongoing restrictions and risks confronted by media personnel, illustrate the dire state of freedom of expression in Crimea and beyond. As advocates for media rights continue to rally against such abuses, the international community is called upon to remain vigilant in the support of press freedom and the protection of journalists worldwide.
