Investigative journalists in Ukraine are being targeted in “intimidation” operations, potentially linked to their investigations into corruption in the country, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) complained on Thursday, condemning the “increasing pressure on Ukrainian media”, AFP reported. Agerpres.

“There have been several disturbing cases of intimidation in recent weeks, and we hope that this is not a trend that will continue,” Pauline Moffre, who is responsible for the organization’s mission in Ukraine, told AFP.

RSF publicized three cases that became known in one week and for the disclosure of which requires “in-depth, transparent and independent” investigations: investigative journalist Yuriy Nikolov from the anti-corruption media center “Our Money” was visited by masked people on January 14, his colleague on January 19 from Odesa, Iryna Hryb discovered a recording device in his car, and the Bihus.info journalistic investigation center became a target on January 16, when “several of his journalists discovered that they were broadcasting videos of their private lives in order to discredit them.”

Civil society reacted strongly to the actions, and authorities quickly launched legal investigations, an RSF spokesman said.

Several corruption scandals, which are a scourge in Ukraine, as well as in other countries of the former USSR, have recently hit Ukrainian officials, especially in the army and the Ministry of Defense.

RSF also notes that several independent investigative media outlets continue to operate in Ukraine despite the war that began almost two years ago.

In 2023, Ukraine took 79th place out of 180 countries in the RSF press freedom rating.