Russia holds at least 26 Ukrainian journalists in captivity

Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech, said this at an online meeting with the international organization Reporters Without Borders, which monitors freedom of speech around the world.

He emphasized that the media workers captured by the Russians are protected by the Geneva Convention as a separate category of civilians, as they are not combatants.

"So far, we know of 26 media workers captured by the Russians. And these are only those who have not taken up arms, so they cannot be considered combatants, and therefore are protected by the Geneva Convention as a separate category of civilians. This is a big challenge for our committee, we are looking for support from our colleagues abroad and are doing everything possible to free our people," said Yurchyshyn.

He emphasized that Ukraine is committed to releasing all captured media workers using all means to do so.

"And separately. We will release all prisoners. We will use all means. We are working in this direction with the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. As for journalists, we have separate mechanisms provided by international law. And we cannot, we have no right not to use them," said Yurchyshyn.

• On January 10, Yurchyshyn said that Russia was holding 25 journalists who were not combatants in captivity.