Ten years after their arrest in occupied Crimea, what has become of the longest-detained Ukrainian journalists held by the Kremlin

One is imprisoned in Omsk, Siberia, thousands of kilometres from his family. The other is believed to be held in the Ulyanovsk region, around 800 kilometres east of Moscow. Dmytro Shtyblikov and Oleksiy Bessarabov, two Ukrainian journalists from Crimea who specialise in defence and security issues in the Black Sea region, notably for the local magazine Chornomoska Bezpeka (Black Sea Security), have been imprisoned by the Russian authorities for ten years. Arrested in Sevastopol, occupied Crimea, on 9 November 2016 by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), they are serving prison sentences in Russia of 19 years and six months and 14 years respectively, notably on charges of "sabotage" and "high treason".

Harsh detention conditions

Now aged 56, Dmytro Shtyblikov is imprisoned in Penal Colony No. 6 in Omsk, Siberia. He suffers from high blood pressure and dental problems. Speaking to RSF, his daughter, Tetyana, denounces the "constant psychological pressure", the worsening of his "chronic illnesses" and the lack of appropriate medical care. Despite irregular communication, she manages to maintain contact with her father through the Russian prison postal service. A lawyer is also able to visit him every two or three months.

Oleksiy Bessarabov's situation remains more uncertain. The former deputy editor-in-chief of Black Sea Security, who will turn 50 in December, is believed to be in the Ulyanovsk region. He reportedly suffered ill-treatment upon arrival. According to Pavlo Lakiychuk, someone close to him, his health has deteriorated: he reportedly suffers from heart problems and skin lesions, as well as an ulcer he already had before his arrest. He is also believed to have contracted a skin infection during his transfer. During the first years of their detention, both journalists were reportedly subjected to torture, including electric shocks.

"A particularly cruel and cynical persecution"

Their arrest on 9 November 2016 was part of a coordinated operation by the Russian occupation forces, which led to the so-called "Crimean saboteurs" case. Oleksiy Bessarabov was leaving a hospital in Sevastopol when he was intercepted in the street and forced into a car with tinted windows. At the same time, Dmytro Shtyblikov was arrested in the same city. It was only a week later that their relatives learned that the two men were being held in a detention centre in Simferopol. Accused of "preparing acts of sabotage" and "illegal possession of weapons", the journalists were reportedly forced to confess under torture.

Their profiles were no coincidence in their arrest. Dmytro Shtyblikov and Oleksiy Bessarabov had spent several years documenting maritime security in the Black Sea and the Russian military presence, long before Russia occupied Crimea in 2014. Following the annexation of the peninsula, both men had chosen to remain there despite mounting pressure. People who had worked with Black Sea Security received anonymous threats and were placed under surveillance. Oleksiy Bessarabov was considering moving to Kherson, in Ukrainian-controlled territory. But he did not have time.

In November 2017, Dmytro Shtyblikov was sentenced to five years in prison for "sabotage". As he approached the end of his sentence, new proceedings resulted in his conviction in November 2021 on charges of "high treason", for which he was sentenced to 19 years and six months in prison. His daughter Tetyana denounces an arbitrary judicial system that has repeatedly brought charges against her father: "My father's story illustrates a particularly cruel and cynical persecution," she says. In 2019, Oleksiy Bessarabov was sentenced to 14 years in prison for "sabotage".

Ten years after their arrest, their relatives continue to campaign to raise awareness of their plight. "Our family's greatest hope is that he can be released as part of prisoner exchanges or humanitarian agreements," Tetyana tells RSF.

In total, 27 Ukrainian media professionals are currently detained by the Russian authorities. All have been deported by Russia.