Ukrainian ombudsman: Russia is silent on journalist Khiliuk's whereabouts since 2022

As of June 2024, the Russian government has not provided any information regarding the location of detained Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Khiliuk, said the Ukrainian Ombudsman's Office, according to UkrInform. Khiliuk, a journalist for the Ukrainian news agency UNIAN, was kidnapped by Russian forces on 3 March 2022 in his home village of Kozarovychi. The Security Service of Ukraine department in Kyiv and the Kyiv region is investigating his abduction. In a statement, Oleksandr Kononenko, the representative of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the security and defense sector, confirmed that Russia has not yet provided details about where the journalist is currently being held.

"There has been no response from the Russian side regarding the whereabouts of Dmytro Khilyuk in Russia," Kononenko stated.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has admitted Khilyuk's detention. However, information about his location remains undisclosed. The Ukrainian Ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, has made several appeals to Russian authorities, but they have yet to bring success. The ongoing lack of information has raised significant concerns about Khiliuk's safety and well-being. Ukrainian officials continue to urge the international community to press Russia for answers and to ensure that detainees are treated according to international human rights standards. The Ukrainian government remains committed to securing the release and safe return of its citizens who have been unlawfully detained. Read more:

Ukrainian ombudsman: Russia is silent on journalist Khiliuk’s whereabouts since 2022