Four years have passed since the protests and subsequent violence on Maidan square in Kyiv, and also another anniversary is soon upon us; that of the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia. It is therefore no surprise that we see a focus on these events in pro-Kremlin disinformation this week: anniversaries are often used as a hook to reinforce the disinformation narratives constructed to obscure the facts about what happened

It is four years since Reshat Ametov was abducted from his silent protest at Russia’s invasion of his native Crimea and savagely tortured to death.  On the eve of the anniversary, President Petro Poroshenko entrusted to Refat Ametov his brother’s Hero of Ukraine honour and posthumous Gold Star award.   

It is four years since Reshat Ametov was abducted from his silent protest at Russia’s invasion of his native Crimea and savagely tortured to death.  On the eve of the anniversary, President Petro Poroshenko entrusted to Refat Ametov his brother’s Hero of Ukraine honour and posthumous Gold Star award.   

Suleyman Kadyrov has been convicted by a ‘court’ in Russian-occupied Crimea of ‘making public calls to violate Russia’s territorial integrity’  for writing on Facebook that “Crimea is Ukraine.  It always was, is and will be”.   He received a two-year suspended sentence, with a ban on any ‘public activities’ for the same period

Suleyman Kadyrov has been convicted by a ‘court’ in Russian-occupied Crimea of ‘making public calls to violate Russia’s territorial integrity’  for writing on Facebook that “Crimea is Ukraine.  It always was, is and will be”.   He received a two-year suspended sentence, with a ban on any ‘public activities’ for the same period

Ukraine’s Supreme Court has begun reinstating judges who were dismissed for breach of oath in connection with their politically motivated rulings against Euromaidan activists.  The number of such judges to have ever faced these or other disciplinary measures was always low, and it now appears that all 19 of those dismissed will probably win their appeals.

Ukraine’s Supreme Court has begun reinstating judges who were dismissed for breach of oath in connection with their politically motivated rulings against Euromaidan activists.  The number of such judges to have ever faced these or other disciplinary measures was always low, and it now appears that all 19 of those dismissed will probably win their appeals.

Ukraine’s parliament risks doing serious harm to democracy in Ukraine by passing legislation that would add burdensome oversight of civil society organizations and undermine the effectiveness of the Ombudsman

Almost four years after the debunking of Russia’s attempt to claim that Anatoly Klyan was killed in a Ukrainian “attack on soldiers’ mothers and journalists’, Russia’s Investigative Committee has tried it on again

Almost four years after the debunking of Russia’s attempt to claim that Anatoly Klyan was killed in a Ukrainian “attack on soldiers’ mothers and journalists’, Russia’s Investigative Committee has tried it on again

Russia’s Serbsky Institute has rejected any grounds for the charges against Yury Dmitriev, renowned historian and Head of the Karelia branch of the Memorial Society. Even an institute notorious for its use of punitive psychiatry in Soviet times was not willing to take part in the politically motivated attempt to imprison Dmitriev for up to 15 years and stated clearly that the historian “is not a paedophile”. 

Prominent Ukrainian NGOs have demanded the government reject plans underway to allow the Security Service [SBU] to use special means of surveillance of Internet providers.  They warn of the scope for excessive snooping and interference by law enforcement and regulatory bodies similar to the repressive measures used in the Russian Federation.

One of 26 tank drivers from the so-called Wagner private military company [PMC] was the proud recipient of a Russian state award ‘For Bravery’ in 2014. It is illegal in Russia to be a mercenary, but that is only one of many reasons for dismissing Moscow’s pretence that it has nothing to do with the Wagner PMC which has been deployed in both Ukraine and Syria. .

28-year-old Elmaz Akimova was harassed on 25 February for her peaceful protest over the “shocking vandalism under the guise of restoration” which is destroying the Khan’s Palace in Bakhchysarai

28-year-old Elmaz Akimova was harassed on 25 February for her peaceful protest over the “shocking vandalism under the guise of restoration” which is destroying the Khan’s Palace in Bakhchysarai

The Kyiv Court of Appeal has revoked the 9-year sentences passed on journalist Dmytro Vasylets and media worker Yevhen Timonin for their alleged help for the Novorosiya propaganda channel, and has ordered a retrial.  The two men, who have been in custody since November 2015, were placed under house arrest for two months and will have to wear electronic bracelets. 

The Kyiv Court of Appeal has revoked the 9-year sentences passed on journalist Dmytro Vasylets and media worker Yevhen Timonin for their alleged help for the Novorosiya propaganda channel, and has ordered a retrial.  The two men, who have been in custody since November 2015, were placed under house arrest for two months and will have to wear electronic bracelets. 

Russian politician Boris Nemtsov was assassinated on February 27, 2015, in Moscow, Russia. Below his friend and fellow activist Vladimir Kara-Murza remembers the slain leader.

It is four years since a huge pro-Ukrainian unity demonstration in Simferopol on 26 February 2014 foiled Russia’s plans for an illicit coup d’état.  It is an appropriate, yet poignant Day of Crimean Resistance given the huge price paid by the Crimean Tatar leaders and other Ukrainians who peacefully stood in defence of Ukraine on that day and later,

It is four years since a huge pro-Ukrainian unity demonstration in Simferopol on 26 February 2014 foiled Russia’s plans for an illicit coup d’état.  It is an appropriate, yet poignant Day of Crimean Resistance given the huge price paid by the Crimean Tatar leaders and other Ukrainians who peacefully stood in defence of Ukraine on that day and later,