Quotes of the Week

Week-ending 24 October 2025

‘Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, its media has experienced an unprecedented crackdown. Hundreds of journalists have been forced into exile, where they continue to face transnational legal persecution, and their families have been harassed back home. Meanwhile, reporting from inside Russia has become increasingly difficult, with journalists and media outlets often silenced by laws criminalizing independent coverage.’

– RSF

Source: Russia’s repression record,’ RSF, 21 October 2025

Background from RSF: Since February 24, 2022, CPJ has documented:

• 27 journalists imprisoned on criminal charges: 15 Russian, 10 Ukrainian, and 2 American. Of these, 4 released, 2 exiled, and 1 killed. (To see CPJ’s 2022-2024 prison data by most recent, click twice on Date column. For 2025, see Ekaterina Barabash, Sasha Aleksandrova, and Svetlana Khustik.)
• Charges against those jailed: 9 for “fake” news; 14 for terrorism, extremism, and other anti-state crimes; 4 were undisclosed.  
• 17 exiled journalists sentenced to jail in absentia.
• 327 journalists and media outlets branded “foreign agents.”
• 23 media outlets banned as “undesirable.”
• More than 25,000 websites blocked in connection with war reporting.

Source: CPJ, OVD-Info, Roskomsvoboda

‘This morning, Chernihiv — a city of nearly 280,000 people just two hours from Kyiv — woke up to a complete blackout after a series of Russian strikes on the region’s energy infrastructure. With temperatures dropping close to freezing overnight, Russia’s strikes will make life unbearable for civilians as we have seen time and again. Russia’s relentless attack that is destroying Ukraine’s energy system, which is indispensable to the survival of civilian population, is unlawful. Intentionally depriving civilians of electricity, heating and water is a clear violation of international humanitarian law. These attacks disproportionately affect the civilian population, particularly vulnerable groups including children, older people, and hospital patients who depend on uninterrupted power and water supplies. As Ukraine enters another winter of Russia’s war of aggression, the destruction of energy infrastructure means entire communities are left without essential services. Children are unable to continue their education and, as attacks continue, more families are forced to abandon their homes. Russia must immediately cease its attacks on infrastructure indispensable to the survival of civilians, and the international community should act urgently to support the humanitarian needs of Chernihiv’s residents and ensure accountability for those responsible for these crimes under international law.’

– Veronika Velch, Amnesty International Ukraine’s Director

Source: ‘Russia/Ukraine: Blackout in Chernihiv exposes Russia’s unlawful attacks on civilian infrastructure,’ Amnesty International, 21 October 2025

Background from Amnesty International: On 21 October 2025, Russian strikes left Chernihiv without electricity, forcing the city to rely on emergency backup power and triggering water distribution across the city. The blackout followed earlier attacks on energy facilities that cut power for tens of thousands. Amnesty International has consistently documented how Russia’s  widespread targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure may constitute war crimes and creates life-threatening humanitarian conditions.

‘The Kremlin has been relentless in its persecution of Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny and his supporters. Its campaign of repression led to Navalny’s death in custody in February 2024, the banning of organizations he founded, and the exile and criminal prosecution of their activists and staff. Still unsatisfied, the Kremlin is now determined to deliver a final, fatal blow. This move is not just about dismantling Navalny’s legacy but crushing any pockets of dissent left in the country. The “terrorist” designation would expose anyone associated with ACF (FBK in Russian) or Aleksei Navalny to criminal prosecution with the harshest penalties, including up to life in prison. FBK once stood at the very centre of civic life in Russia, supported by tens of thousands country-wide; this decision could unleash a floodgate of mass reprisals. The Prosecutor General must immediately withdraw its unlawful petition and end the misuse of anti-“terrorism,” and other legislation to crush dissent. The Russian authorities must also lift the ban on ACF, stop persecuting people for alleged association with it, and ensure a transparent and effective investigation into the death of Aleksei Navalny conducted by independent and impartial international experts.’

– Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Source: ‘Russia: Move to label Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation a “terrorist organization” puts thousands in danger,’ Amnesty International, 23 October 2025

Background from Amnesty International: On 22 October 2025, the Prosecutor General’s Office petitioned the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation to recognize the US-registered ACF Inc. (Anti-Corruption Foundation, the legal successor of the banned Russia-based FBK) as a “terrorist organization” under Russia’s broad anti-“terrorism” laws. The hearing is scheduled for 27 November and will take place behind closed doors. It will be presided by the same judge who previously banned the non-existent “international LGBT movement” and “international satanism movement” on the grounds of “extremism.” Just last week members of the Anti-War Committee, established by exiled opposition activists, were charged with “terrorism”-related offences.