Ukraine: Russian Occupiers Abduct Father Of Ukrainian Journalist Svitlana Zalizetska

The Coalitions For Women In Journalism condemns the horrific tactics of Russian forces to control media and journalists. Russian authorities must answer for their crimes

Location: Melitopol, Ukraine
Date: March 22, 2022

Journalist Svitlana Zalizetska was forced to flee Russian-occupied Melitopol when she refused to become a mouthpiece for Putin's regime. In her absence, Russian forces targeted her family, abducting her father. The Coalition for Women in Journalism strongly condemns these acts and urges investigating authorities UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry for Ukraine, International Criminal Court, EU, to identify and gather evidence to prosecute those responsible. 

On March 23, 2022, three Russian officers raided Ukrainian journalist Svitlana Zalizetska’s parents' house and detained her 75-year-old father. They interrogated him, trying to extract information about her whereabouts. The Russian forces demanded that Zalizetska publicly renounce her work in the media in exchange for his release.

An FSB officer named Sergei contacted the journalist prior to the raid, demanding access to all her passwords for the website, Telegram channel, and social media accounts. Despite the mounting pressure, Zalizetska stood firm, refusing to comply. Eventually, the occupiers relented and returned her elderly father home.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the world witnessed the citizens of Melitopol revolting against the Russian Army's occupation of their towns. Ukrainian journalists, risking their safety, documented the resistance of these brave individuals. In response, Russia deployed Rosgvardia, the national guard, to Melitopol, resulting in violent clashes with civilians.

Svitlana Zalizetska - a journalist with RIA Melitopol - faced connectivity issues, cyber-attacks, and pressure from the Russian army while striving to report on the resistance against Russian occupation. Eventually, the threats became overwhelming, and Zalizetska made the difficult decision to leave Melitopol.

Fleeing Melitopol 

While working in occupied Melitopol, Zalizetska was approached by Halyna Danylchenko, a collaborator of the occupation administration, who attempted to persuade her to work for the Russians. Zalizetska learned that the occupiers had compiled lists of journalists, indicating that they selectively targeted those who refused to cooperate.

She discovered that the mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, had been kidnapped by the Russians after declining their collaboration offer. Fearing a similar fate, Zalizetska decided to escape the city immediately.

Using someone else's passport and disguising herself as a doctor, she traveled in an ambulance, successfully passing through numerous Russian checkpoints until reaching the safety of Zaporizhzhia.

Though now living in a territory free from Russian occupation, Zalizetska eagerly awaits her return to her hometown of Melitopol. She remains hopeful that justice will be served and that those responsible for her father's abduction and other atrocities will face the consequences of their actions.

Oksana Romaniuk, the executive director of the Institute of Mass Information, stresses the importance of holding those responsible for crimes against journalists accountable. She argues that without fair punishment, such atrocities will continue in Ukraine and other countries.

Reporting conflict in Ukraine

In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, journalists have been operating in an extremely dangerous environment, with six women journalists tragically losing their lives. Recognizing the importance of their coverage, CFWIJ has curated a collection of resources to aid those reporting from Ukraine. We have also compiled a comprehensive list of women journalists actively covering the war, underscoring the significance of their work in providing crucial insights into the conflict and its far-reaching consequences.

Svitlana Zalizetska’s harrowing ordeal highlights the risks Ukrainian journalists face working under Russian occupation. When journalists find their families targeted, they face an agonizing dilemma: persisting in their reporting or censoring themselves to protect their loved ones from persecution. This sinister tactic is a cynical attempt to silence critical journalists, constituting a direct assault on the fundamental principle of press freedom.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the abduction of Zalizetska’s father by Russian Forces. We demand that those responsible are identified and held accountable for their crimes.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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