Russia jails 2nd most journalists worldwide. More than half are Ukrainians – RSF

Russia now holds the world’s second-largest number of jailed journalists at 48, with 26 of them Ukrainian, according to a new global review by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Russia also imprisons more foreign journalists than any other country, RSF said.

The updated data shows that Ukrainian reporters make up more than half of all journalists jailed in Russia, reflecting the severe pressures facing media workers in areas under Russian control and inside Russia itself.

China tops the global list with 121 imprisoned journalists, while Myanmar and Belarus follow Russia with 47 and 33, respectively.

503 journalists imprisoned, Viktoriia Roshchyna among the dead

The findings come from RSF’s annual survey, which recorded 503 imprisoned journalists worldwide in 2025. 

The group also highlighted the death of Ukrainian reporter Viktoriia Roshchyna, who was illegally detained and died in Russian custody earlier this year.

Roshchyna, 27, disappeared in August 2023 while reporting from Russian-occupied territories in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Russia confirmed her death in October 2024. 

When her body was returned to Ukraine earlier this year, forensic examiners found signs of torture, including neck trauma, bone fractures, and possible electric shock marks. Several organs were missing, including parts of her brain, larynx, and eyes - investigators believe this may have been an attempt to conceal the cause of death. 

Georgia, Azerbaijan, Belarus follow Russia's lead on press crackdowns

RSF’s report links rising detentions and killings to armed conflicts, criminal groups, and governments that pressure or silence reporters. 

It also points to a wider erosion of press freedom across the former Soviet region. RSF cites Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus as examples, noting the January arrest of Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli under what it calls the Georgian government’s “relentless authoritarian tactics.” In Azerbaijan, 25 journalists are currently behind bars.

67 journalists killed, three in Ukraine by Russia

The survey documented 67 journalists killed in the past 12 months, most of them targeted in war zones or by criminal networks. Three were killed in Ukraine during Russian attacks.

RSF noted that two of the slain journalists were foreign reporters who died outside their own country. One of them was French photojournalist Antoni Lallican, killed by a Russian drone strike in Ukraine.

RSF also counted 135 missing journalists worldwide, many in Syria and Mexico. Twenty more are held hostage, with Yemen recording the highest number of abductions this year.

The group said continued violence, weak protections, and state pressure are driving the global decline in safety for media workers.