On 17 August 2024, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced that it opened criminal cases against two Italian journalists who visited the town of Sudzha following its occupation by Ukrainian forces. The decision concerned reporter Stefania Battistini and camera operator Simone Traini, who were dispatched to Russia’s Kursk region by Italy’s public broadcaster RAI. Both were accused of illegally crossing Russia’s state border. If found guilty, they would face a sentence of up to five years in prison in absentia according to Russia’s criminal code.
The decision came amidst a Ukrainian military offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, in the course of which Ukraine captured several settlements near its border. Ukrainian and international journalists later arrived to the area to report on the situation.
RAI was said to have later withdrawn Battistini and Traini from Russia for security reasons.
UPDATE: On 12 September 2024, Russian independent media reported that Russian authorities placed Battistini and Traini on the country’s ‘wanted’ list.
UPDATE: On 8 October 2024, a court in Kursk arrested Battistini and Traini in absentia.