EU condemns Russia's persecution of journalists covering events in Kursk region
Photo: journalists of the Italian TV channel RAI (facebook.com stefania battistini)
Russia has begun launching criminal cases against journalists who reported in parts of the Kursk region controlled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The EU has already responded, condemning such actions by the Kremlin, according to the Council of Europe for the Protection of Journalism and the Safety of Journalists.
The European authority expects that the investigation into Russian threats against two Italian journalists from the RAI television channel, Stefania Battistini and Simone Traini, will be conducted as quickly as possible. It is noted that they should be provided with protection if necessary.
It is reported that the journalists were also threatened by numerous pro-Russian bloggers, including death threats.
The statement also recalled that earlier, Italian writer Nikolai Lilin, who holds quite pro-Russian views, published a video in which he called the journalists “retarded”, “pro-Nazi propagandists” and “auxiliaries of terrorists”. His remarks also included death threats - he said: “You have dug your own grave”.
The Council of Europe noted that such persecution hinders journalists from informing the public about ongoing events in the Kursk region.
Italian journalists' unions Usigrai and Fnsi also joined the condemnation.
"Journalism is not a crime," they said in a statement published by Rai.
Persecution of other journalists by Russia in the Kursk region
Russian Interfax reported that the FSB has already launched a criminal case on the grounds of "illegal border crossing" against three journalists who were covering events in the Kursk region.
Russian security forces plan to prosecute CNN American journalist Nick Paton Walsh and two Ukrainian media workers - "hromadske" journalist Diana Butsko and "We Are Ukraine" correspondent Olesia Borovyk. They were the first to report from the town of Sudzha, which came under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
In addition to initiating criminal cases against these journalists in Russia, authorities intend to place them on an international wanted list.
Operation in the Kursk region
The advance of Ukrainian forces into the Kursk region began on August 6 and is still ongoing. It was necessary to create a buffer zone and boost the morale of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported that Ukrainian troops have already penetrated 28 to 35 kilometers into Russian defense lines, captured 1,263 square kilometers of territory, and taken control of 93 settlements.
Earlier, Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, explained that in the Russian border regions, including Kursk, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are not interested in occupying Russian territory but are focused on fulfilling combat tasks related to ensuring the safety of Ukrainian citizens, whose homes are constantly being shelled by Russian forces.
