Russia-Ukraine War: Breaking News, Invasion Analysis and News

The international organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned Russia’s crackdown on the media after the invasion of Ukraine and said that the violation of freedom of expression and access to information “cannot be justified under international law, even in times of war”.

“These new laws are part of Russia’s ruthless effort to suppress all dissent and ensure that the population does not have access to any information that contradicts the Kremlin’s narrative about the invasion of Ukraine,” said Hugh Williamson, HRW’s Europe and Central Asia, in the statement.

“The Kremlin is removing all options for dissent to ensure that brave anti-war protesters do not return to the streets,” he added. “When President Putin pursues such a fundamental right, the cornerstone of democracy, with such totalitarian tactics, he is dispensing with any pretense that his government has any respect for the rule of law, human rights, or democracy.” .

Censoring the media: Russian authorities have restricted access to news publications including BBC Russia, Radio Liberty and Latvia-based Meduza, state-owned RIA Novosti reported on Friday. The media outlets were added to a list of posts that “contain calls for mass riots, extremism and participation in illegal mass rallies,” she said.

On Friday, lawmakers approved a law that criminalizes the dissemination of “false” information that discredits the Russian armed forces or calls for sanctions against the country, state media agencies reported. Violators face fines of up to 1.5 million rubles ($13,877).

The repression has forced some media outlets to close their doors and their journalists to leave the country.

Anti-war protests: At least 4,640 people were arrested in Russia on Sunday for taking part in anti-war demonstrations across the country, according to an independent human rights watchdog group that tracks the arrests.