Alerts | Online intimidation or smear

Journalist insulted and threatened following critical post on medical battalion

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On 9 March 2026, Ukrainian journalist and blogger Olha Khudetska reported receiving threats after publishing posts on social media about the financial transparency of the volunteer medical battalion “Hospitallers”, according to the Institute of Mass Information, a Ukrainian media monitoring group.

According to Khudetska, the threats began after she raised concerns on the social media platform X regarding the use of funds collected by the battalion and called for greater financial reporting. Hospitallers Medical Battalion is a volunteer unit providing medical evacuation and care to wounded soldiers.

Khudetska published screenshots of messages she received, including threats of physical violence, such as calls to “break her legs.” She said the threats may come from individuals who believe they are defending the battalion’s commander, as well as potentially from other actors, including Russians seeking to amplify internal tensions.

The journalist stated that she does not intend to report the threats to the police, citing a lack of effective investigations into online threats. She also noted that after she publicly disclosed the threats, hostile messages continued, although their tone changed.

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