On 21 March 2025, authorities in Yakutsk, the capital of Russia’s Republic of Yakutia, detained local independent journalist Alexandra Alexandrova, as reported by several regional media outlets. Alexandrova was accused of “justifying terrorism” and placed in pre-trial detention. She faces up to seven years in prison if found guilty.
While the reason for her detention was not clear, Russian independent media highlighted multiple anti-war publications that the journalist had made in the past on social media. Alexandrova left Russia following the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, however she returned in 2024.
Up till 2022, the journalist worked for local outlets Ykt.ru and Sakha Day. After her departure linked to the war in Ukraine, Alexandrova continued working as an independent journalist, publishing mainly on Telegram.