Ukrainian Journalist Glukhovska Held in Russia for Nearly Three Years, Goes on Hunger Strike

Ukrainian journalist Anastasiia Glukhovska, who was abducted by Russian forces in August 2023 in occupied Melitopol, has been held in pre-trial detention in Kizel, Perm Krai, for nearly three years. According to the regional publication "RIA-Pivden" and Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, head of the Ukrainian Parliament's Committee on Freedom of Speech, the journalist has gone on a hunger strike.

According to testimonies from relatives and former prisoners, after being transferred from Taganrog to Kizel, Glukhovska started a hunger strike. This is the same detention facility where journalist Viktoria Roshchyna was held and later died in Russian custody. The prison reportedly has strict rules: inmates are not allowed to sit or lie down during the day. Due to her chronic condition—endometriosis—Glukhovska has also developed leg swelling.

A recently exchanged prisoner reported seeing Glukhovska in the yard while cleaning the area. According to him, she is alive and works in a sewing workshop. She had previously gone on a hunger strike, though the reason is unknown.

After Russian forces tortured journalist Viktoria Roshchyna and Dniprorudne mayor Yevhen Matveyev to death, inspections were carried out in the detention facility. Inmates even began receiving bedding and better food.

Glukhovska has been held without charges for 2 years and 10 months. Initially, she was kept in a hangar of the "Ruslan komplekt" factory, where she was tortured with electric shocks. She was then transferred to the Azov pre-trial detention center and later to Taganrog.

MP Yurchyshyn stated that it is practically impossible to include Glukhovska in exchange lists because Russia does not acknowledge detaining civilians. He called on international partners to pressure Russia to free the journalist.