As of April 2024, Olha Skrypnyk, head of the board of the Crimean human rights group, reports that Russia is holding at least 18 journalists captive. Skrypnyk notes that they have identified 98 officials of the occupation administration involved in the persecution of journalists, including Russian judges, prosecutors, and representatives of the FSB.

"Russia persists in unlawfully detaining civilian journalists, falsely accusing them of terrorism. Currently, we know of at least 18 journalists imprisoned, who are being denied medical care," Skrypnyk stated during the Second Black Sea Security Conference.

She further explains that following the occupation of the Kherson region in 2022, Russian military personnel abducted journalists from Kherson, transported them to Crimea, and charged them with collaborating with the Ukrainian military.

Subsequently, after the occupation of Crimea, the number of media outlets on the peninsula decreased by 12 times. The remaining media outlets operate solely in the interests of the occupation administration.

"According to occupation 'legislation,' since 2015, only 232 media outlets have been registered in Crimea. Prior to the occupation, over three thousand media outlets were active on the peninsula. It's evident that all of them operate under the control and funding of the occupiers, avoiding coverage of problematic issues and neglecting to report on the suppression of freedom of speech or violations of the rights of Crimean residents," added the human rights activist.