On 23 September 2022, the Russian Justice Ministry included Ukrainian journalist Roman Tsymbaluk on its list of ‘foreign agents’. Former RFE/RL journalist and Editor-in-Chief of online media project Newsader was also included on the list.
Tsymbaluk was known as the only representative of Ukrainian media to maintain accreditation for work in Russia following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. He was posted as correspondent in Moscow for the Ukrainian UNIAN news agency. Tsymbaluk left Russia soon before the start of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, citing mounting pressure from authorities.
Journalists designated as ‘foreign agents’ are submitted to publication restrictions in Russia, and are obliged to declare their activities and revenues to the Russian Ministry of Justice.