Week-ending 3 April 2026
‘The risks facing journalists in Ukraine are rapidly evolving. Russian drone attacks, which have become one of the main threats near the front lines, are forcing reporters to move further away and are creating zones that are now hardly covered by the press. With this guide, RSF is offering concrete, operational advice to help them respond to these threats. While it cannot eliminate all the inherent risks involved in working in a war zone, it can help media professionals prepare better and reduce some of those risks. We are already supporting training sessions for teams from the public broadcaster Suspilne, in partnership with Foundation 2402, to respond to attacks and use drone detectors. In 2026, RSF will offer further training sessions and provide drone detectors to media professionals in Ukraine.‘
– Louise Alluin Bichet Director of Projects, RSF
Source: ‘Protection against Russian kamikaze drones: RSF publishes a guide for journalists working in Ukraine,’ RSF, 30 March 2026
Background from RSF: Drones — unmanned aerial vehicles (or UAVs) piloted in real time by the Kremlin’s armed forces — have become one of the main threats facing journalists covering Russia’s war in Ukraine, making some areas along the front line almost inaccessible. In partnership with the Kherson-based foundation “Union,” Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has published a practical guide for news professionals working near the front lines to help them better anticipate security risks.
‘When it comes to preventing independent voices from informing the public, press freedom predators are no longer satisfied with attacking journalists alone and are now targeting their relatives, too. These despicable intimidation tactics have been observed in several countries: Iran, China, Azerbaijan, El Salvador, as well as in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, regardless of whether journalists are working in their home country or in exile. These repressive strategies are infamous methods of terror.
– Anne Bocandé, RSF Editorial Director
Source: ‘Journalists’ families increasingly targeted with intimidation tactics by repressive regimes,’ RSF, 31 March 2026
Background from RSF: In Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia, the families of Ukrainian journalists who are either detained or living in unoccupied areas are regularly threatened and fear speaking out publicly. As someone close to a detained Ukrainian journalist describes: “FSB agents [Russia’s Federal Security Service] can come to the homes of our loved ones in currently occupied territories, seize their computer equipment, question them or simply threaten them. At the very worst, they can take a member of our family away.” Another anonymous source also reported threats directed towards the partner of a reporter arrested in an occupied zone of Ukraine.
‘A government has no legitimacy to determine what is ‘essential’ for an average internet user in Russia or limit internet access to a handful of state-approved resources. Neither should it prevent people from peacefully protesting its assault on their right to access an open and free internet. […] Russia’s internet shutdowns and the crackdown on peaceful protesters are blatant violations of Russia’s obligations to respect freedom of expression, of information and of assembly,”
– Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
Source: ‘Russia: Internet Shutdowns Escalate, Human Rights Watch, 31 March 2026
Background from HRW: Russian authorities increasingly impose broad mobile internet shutdowns under the pretext of public safety, Human Rights Watch said today. Over the past month, they blocked mobile internet and cellular access in areas of Moscow and Saint Petersburg for almost three weeks. […] According to International Telecommunication Union data from 2024, internet usage in Russia is predominantly through mobile broadband connections. While landline internet has not been affected to the same extent recently, government internet censorship technology facilitates full landline internet blockings, including by the Federal Security Services without a court order. The increasing blocking in Russia violates the right to seek, receive, and provide information and ideas through all media, including the internet. Any restrictions imposed on internet access and related communications, whether in the context of potential Ukrainian drone attacks or otherwise, must have a proper legal basis, and be both necessary and proportionate to achieve a legitimate purpose. The protracted internet shutdowns and cell networks shutdown across the regions of Russia, as well as in Russia-occupied areas of Ukraine, cannot be justified and do not comply with international human rights law, Human Rights Watch said. Russian authorities should restore unrestricted access to the internet and communications networks and end the prosecution of peaceful protesters against internet shutdowns. The international community, foreign governments, and technology companies should support the groups working to ensure access to information online and censorship circumvention.
“This tactic is a blatant effort to intimidate both independent journalists and civil society, and to sever the solidarity that sustains reporters who continue to work under growing threat in Russia. By targeting a nonprofit organization that helps protect and amplify journalists’ voices, the Russian government is making clear its persistent contempt for press freedom and human rights. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues at the IWMF and call on the Russian government to reverse this designation.”
– Journalist Assistance Network [JAN], a statement in support of the International Women’s Media Foundation [IWMF], a member of JAN, that has been designated an ‘undesirable organisation’ by the Russian authorities
Source: ‘CPJ, partners condemn Russia’s labeling of IWMF as ‘undesirable organization’ ,’ Committee to Protect Journalists, 2 April 2026
Background from CPJ: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and partners in the Journalist Assistance Network (JAN) condemn Russia’s unabashed attempt to silence independent journalism and the civil society that supports their critical work by designating the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) an “undesirable organization.” […] Organizations labeled as “undesirable” are banned from operating in Russia. Anyone who participates in or works to organize the activities of such organizations faces up to six years in prison. Distributing the organizations’ content or donating to them may also result in administrative and criminal penalties. The IWMF said in a statement that the Russian government issued the classification in January, though the IWMF was not informed of the reasons behind the designation. The Journalist Assistance Network is a collaboration between five U.S.-based press freedom organizations specializing in digital safety, physical safety, and legal rights, and includes CPJ, the IWMF, Freedom of the Press Foundation, PEN America, and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
CPJ has documented how this same classification has been used to attack and intimidate journalists and media outlets reporting on Russia.
