Ukraine: Journalist murdered in Kyiv May 29

Event

Arkady Babchenko, a Russian journalist living in exile, was shot and killed while entering his apartment in Kyiv on Tuesday, May 29. According to the police chief in Kyiv, the authorities believe that Babchenko was targeted for reporting on Russia’s support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. An investigation is ongoing and numerous human rights groups and journalists have condemned the killing. Demonstrations denouncing Babchenko’s murder are likely in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine in the coming days.

Context

Babchenko moved to Kyiv in 2017 after claiming that the Russian government was organizing a political harassment campaign against him. He was an outspoken critic of the Kremlin in recent years and had recently posted on social media that he had received death threats.

Advice

Individuals in Kyiv are advised to monitor the situation and avoid all demonstrations as a precaution.