147 Media Workers Killed Since Full-Scale Invasion, 28 Journalists Still Captive - NSJU

During the sixth meeting of the Temporary Investigative Commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, which took place recently, Serhiy Tomilenko, the head of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NSJU), reported horrific losses among media workers since the beginning of the full-scale invasion by Russia. According to Tomilenko, 147 media workers have lost their lives since the onset of aggression, with at least 21 individuals killed while performing their professional duties. These figures were presented during a discussion on the topic 'Regional Media During War: Destruction, Pressure, and Information Resistance.'

Tomilenko noted that in 2025, there were recorded 160 attacks and threats against journalists, of which 70 cases involved the physical destruction of property belonging to media and journalists. Furthermore, he emphasized that 28 colleagues remain in captivity, highlighting the critical situation within the media sector in Ukraine. These numbers, according to Tomilenko, are not final, as there is currently incomplete information regarding all instances of persecution of journalists.

The head of the NSJU also pointed out that any marking of 'Press' makes journalists live targets for the enemy. He explained that independent media pose a direct threat to Russian occupiers, thus urging media workers to avoid using the 'Press' label on their bulletproof vests and protective gear while working on the front lines, as this could provoke aggression from the occupiers.

Tomilenko also shared that he discussed this issue during a conversation with representatives of the OSCE, raising the question of the appropriateness of using special markings on the protective gear of filming crews. 'We debated that on one hand, in Ukrainian realities, we urge journalists not to identify and not to use 'Press', while on the other hand, official international institutions assert that according to all conventions, if a journalist identifies themselves as a journalist, it means they are being obstructed as a journalist. Accordingly, here the issue of identification could mean death,' he emphasized.

It is worth recalling that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine established a Temporary Investigative Commission to investigate crimes committed by Russia against journalists on December 4, 2025. The commission is chaired by Yevheniya Kravchuk, the deputy chair of the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy, with Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, the head of the Committee on Freedom of Speech, serving as her deputy. This commission aims to investigate crimes against media workers and ensure their safety in wartime conditions.

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