#EndImpunity: Ukraine

16 journalists killed since 1995, 3 cases resolved.

People hold pictures of slain Belarus-born journalist Pavel Sheremet during a memorial meeting on Independence Square in Kiev on July 20, 2016. Photo credit: Sergei Supinsky / AFP

Ukraine is a dangerous country for journalists, especially in the city and the region of Kyiv. In Ukraine, 16 journalists have been killed since 1995 including 7 foreign journalists (1 Italian and 6 Russian): Vadym Komarov, Pavel Sheremet, Oles Buzina, Sergii Nikolaiev, Andrei Stenin, Anatoli Klian, Anton Voloshin, Igor Kornelyuk, Andrea Rocchelli, Andrei Mironov, Vyacheslav Veremyi, Volodymyr Karachevtsev, Igor Alexandrov, Georgiy Gongadze, Igor Grouchetsky and Vladimir Ivanov.

Regarding media independence and press freedom, Ukrainian national media are owned by oligarchs that makes journalists’ work complicated and hard. During the last presidential election, several journalists reported to the National Union of Journalists (NUJU), an IFJ affiliate, that they had been the target of attacks, threats, pressure to disclose their sources, constant surveillance, not to mention the constant manipulation of information.

In 2014, Ukraine suffered a crisis that had started in November 2013, following pro-European street protests. In March 2014, Russia annexed Crimea. This led to the war in Donbass, between Ukraine and separatists which are supported by Russia and organized in so called Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic.

At least 13.000 people died, including civilians and soldiers, around 15.000 were wounded and in Ukraine, up to 150 people disappeared, including media workers, according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).This war is still going on. At least 6 journalists and 2 technicians have been killed.

During the Euromaidan protests (November, 2013-February, 2014), the Ukrainian authorities of that time, led by President Victor Yanukovych, violently suppressed pro-European street protests. According to NUJU, 271 journalists from Ukrainian and international media were severely beaten, mainly by police. Although 5 years have passed since then, most crimes remain undisclosed and in impunity. The case of Vyacheslav Veremiy, who was murdered in February 2014 is indicative.

Veremiy covered serious social issues, conducted journalistic investigations, and was a correspondent of the Ukrainian newspaper “Vesti”. During the Euromaidan protests Veremiy was regularly reporting at the epicenter of demonstrations and was injured in the eye. On the night of February 19, 2014, Veremiy and his colleague drove home from work by taxi. On one street in the center of Kiev, he spotted armed mercenaries wearing camouflage and masks and tried to photograph them from the car. Armed people attacked the car, began to smash it, and pulled out the driver and passengers. The driver and the other passenger escaped after the beating, and Veremiy was severely beaten and shot in the back.

Police officers present on the spot remained aloof. One organizer of the murder is in prison. Other participants remain unpunished. His widow, Svetlana Kirillash declared: “Every story passed deep through himself. He worried about Ukraine, our future, so in January and February 2014 did not leave Euromaidan, even after thefirst injury. Admiring work, he often forgot about his own safety, unfortunately, as in February 2014. We live in a difficult, crucial time, but the memory about our heroes who gave their lives for the sake of Ukraine’s future should inspire and empower us”.

On 20 June 2019, Vadym Komarov, a Ukrainian regional reporter, died as a result of an assault on 4 May in Cherkasy. The journalist was beaten to death by unidentified men one day after he posted on Facebook that he was working on alleged corruption in sports schools. He was known for his investigations and his hard-hitting reporting on local authorities.

NUJU says that the police have refused to inform them about the current progress of this case.

The Secretary of NUJU, media lawyer Valeriy Makeev, worked with Vadym Komarov on several projects. He declared: “An iconic journalist has passed away. Too early. He did not finish everything; he did not investigate everything. His live broadcasts and breaking news from Cherkassy region collected tens of thousands of views. Viewing “Komarov News” and reading his materials had become an integral part of the life of many Cherkasy citizens (and not only!).Not everyone liked his sharp comments, his irreconcilable attitude with corruption and arbitrariness, and this was an integral part of freedom of speech, which has now suffered significant losses.No murderers were found or punished. The society should get hope for an effective investigation into Vadim's murder”. 

Georgiy Gongadze remains the biggest case of impunity case in Ukraine. The Ukrainian journalist disappeared in September 2000, after having written an open letter to the General Prosecutor to file a complaint for harassment from the Security Service of Ukraine. His body was found two months later, in November 2000, decapitated and with acid all over it. Some audio records proved the former President, Kuchma, was involved in the case, as well as the former president of the Ukrainian Parliament, Volodymyr Lytvyn and the former Minister of Interior Kravchenko. Nobody has been punished to date.

The President of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine Sergiy Tomilenko said: “Full impunity for crimes against journalists provokes new attacks. An example of this is the murder of regional investigative journalist Vadym Komarov. He was the victim of attacks twice, but the attackers did not suffer any punishment. A positive step by the authorities is the announcement of parliamentary hearings on journalists’ safety in Ukraine on November 6, 2019. NUJU has been demanding this for 2.5 years. We hope that this will draw the attention of the authorities to the need for safety for journalists in Ukraine. And the need for regular public reports by law enforcement agencies will stimulate the effective investigations into cases involving attacks against journalists”.

Send a letter to the Ukrainian President

For more information, please contact IFJ on +32 2 235 22 16

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 146 countries

Follow the IFJ on TwitterFacebook and Instagram

Subscribe to IFJ News